About the Fourth Amabiki Village and Sculpture

"A quiet one can go far away at a distance"
CHI VA PIANO SI VA LONTANO

As one of the sculptors I participated to the third exhibition of "Amabiki village and sculpture". Amabiki village is a typical rural village locatd in the north Kanto district. Before the opening of the exhibition, surrounded by beautiful rural sceneries I had meetings with over 30 sculptors and the villagers many times. There, we discussed very seriously how to succeed this small exhibition. After a little excitement at finishing display of sculptures in the village, I recalled an Italian proverb "A quiet one can go far away at a distance".
The modern culture is quickly going to digital world, so-called "virtual reality" and the people care much about lightness of subculture as sensitivity to the times. But a few thoughtful ones acknowledge they can not change this trend of the world and know there is not a truth in it.
In the modern times the artists were thought as indicators who had keen senses and could anticipate what was coming in future. However, I think in the present day a real artist, like a gleaner in the field, is picking up the traditional and precious things which were already forgot by the ordinary people. And sometimes he asks quietly "Hullo! Where are all things going?" trudging along at the tail end of the time.
The one who visits the exhibition of "Amabiki village and sculpture" may think strange because each sculptor has a different way of representation of his art. Therefore, there may be no reason among sculptors to get together and hold an exhibition. But, though it is not popular today we have one valuable and common belief. It is that all sculptors here believe art and also think seriously or rather foolishly about sculpture.
Not only this, when I joined in the exhibition I have become aware that the sculptors deeply believed in people much than in art. So I was encouraged to find I was not only one sculptor who was trudging along the road in Amabiki village. We venture to have such a small exhibition "Amabiki village and sculpture" in the country. It may not be a popular place because the village is located far away to the city. However, I am sure it will have a good effect on the Japanese people and cure the troubled society and sick times of Japan, 10 years or 15 years later. Also, I am certain that these exhibition will be done better each time and be grown up to the ideal ones. I feel a positive response from the third exhibition.
P.S.
The 27th of May. I finished taking part in the fourth time exhibition today. I thought of two things. The one being rich in space and landscape of village of Amabiki. As for one, the road accomplishing resolution of artists who gathered Amabiki is far. But, the quiet walking of artists pregnant with sincere passion is stable. It was believed to me so.

KUNIYASU Takamasa