Journeys to the Vancouver Film Festival

Sept 29, 2009 was the day I saw my first Vancouver International Film Festival film at the Pacific Cinematheque: Trimpin: The Sound of Invention, directed by Peter Esmonde, USA. Awarded the MacArthur "Genius" Award in 1997, Trimpin is an inventor, a composer, a visual and sound experimenter and a truly amazing science-artist-musician. Raised in Germany, his formative years were shaped by a collection of technical manuals belonging to his grandfather and his father's cabinet and instrument making, plus his family's support of his fascination with machines, sound and all things scientific. He took things apart to see how they worked and then put them back together again. He heard all sounds as music, a different music and one he wanted to create and develop further. He has never been represented by a gallery and no records of his have been produced. Although he has exhibited and performed widely, the grants have not come easily and in the film, he shows filing cabinets full of rejected applications. Yet he persists and his life work continues. A 'symphony' with the Kronos Quartet was a truly creative and original process with no-one being quite sure where the production was headed, since it had never been done before, and with musicians having to learn all of the newly created instruments and ways of producing sound. Many of the instruments were toys, tiny and colourful yet made to produce music, a total collaborative, symphonic performance. Roots and Branches, a complete visual and musical installation at the Experience Music Project, in Seattle, features all shapes and sizes of guitars, suspended high in the air, tuning themselves by computer. Trimpin studied at the University of Berlin and continues to explore sonic possibilities. He moved to the USA to find old instruments and machines unavailable in Europe and has been based in Seattle since the 1980's. This is a 77 minute film that inspires one to find out more and to listen more attentively to everything.

SUMO SUMO SUMO!

We arrived at the Sumo Stadium at 8:00 to watch the preparation of the ring and the entrance of the Jr. Sumo Wrestlers. We had to wash our hands, a way of preventing the spread of Swine Flu. Our initial questions were patiently answered in English and we were told to make sure we were there at 2:00 for our special 'gift'. No-one stays all day - the final performance isn't until 6:00, so people get a stamp on their hand and are free to go in and out as they please.

The ring is covered in sand but it is carefully swept into patterns. Above it is a roof, a Shinto Shrine that has a tassel at each of its four corners, that represent the four seasons of the year. The wrestler (Rikishi) who touches his topknot or any part of his body to the ground, loses the match. There are no weight limits so a wrestler can be matched with a wrestler twice his size or weight. There are lots of rules: no hair pulling or eye poking, choking or kicking. Fair play is a must and Sumo Wrestling is almost a religious rite rather than the circus that WWF can be.

Sumos are introduced and bow to each other and to the referee and others at the beginning and end of the match. They throw salt onto the sand to purify it and they also stamp hard to ward off any evil demons. There are at least three to four levels of accomplishment and the highest ranked Sumo matches are the finale of the day. to Matches are very quick; there are over 98 ways to defeat or be defeated! Sumos are very polite and patient when faced with their fans and photographers and, they are very professional in the ring. There are no displays of temper although there are some false starts from those eager to get to the win.

A family or group of friends can have their own tatami seating or can choose individual seats. Everyone buys and brings snacks and drinks to the show. For lunch, people can buy boxed food or can have Sumo soup, like we did. Sumo soup has chicken, tofu and many vegies and is the hearty meal that everyone needs for the energy expended cheering the Sumos on.

Before lunch, we went for a walk along the sea wall and were impressed that the walls were painted and tiled with a variety of scenes: Olympic Sports, historical city stories, and pictures of children/students. The winning moves of Sumo Wrestlers were incorporated into the metal railing along the sea wall. The bridges, painted yellow, were the same color as those in the historical images of the city, long ago.

After lunch, we picked up our 'gift', an autographed souvenir from a Stable Master, Kokonoe Chiyono Fuji. Now when was the last time you went to a sports function and got a thank-you and a gift? We also entered Anthy's name for two free tickets to Sumo and we really hope she wins and gets to go!

Later on, we watched the process of the salaried, higher ranked Sumo. These men wear highly decorated 'aprons' which are beautifully made, expensive indicators of their success. They take command of the ring and are applauded by the audience as they are introduced by name.

We stay until after 6:00 to watch the closing ceremonies and to pick up the rest of the souvenirs. We are able to pick up English booklets that explain all about the Sumos and answer questions everyone has but were afraid to ask. We wish we could have the music that accompanied our Sumo Soup lunch and also would like a recording of the chanting that can be heard at the introduction of each match. We go home with a greater appreciation of an honorable profession Sumo Wrestling is.

Luxury in Fashion Reconsidered-A Fabulous Exhibition at Kyoto Museum of Modern Art

I have been writing up some visits to Fashion Museums in Kyoto and Kobe. The first one, Luxury in Fashion Reconsidered, is posted at clotheslinefinds.blogspot.com (April 24th) and the one for Kobe is going to be posted some time after May 5th. In Japan, all museums are in newly designed buildings or renovated heritage buildings. All have gardens, gift shops, restaurants and places for children and for large events. Most feature both permanent and special collections. Most are closed only on Mondays and there are discounts available at the museums and at bigger tourist information sites. A lot of advertising is done for all arts and cultural events and often includes an English language website.

We are now back in Tokyo, catching up on what we missed the first time around. We have a baseball game next Tuesday and a trip to Mt Fuji, with our friends, the Watanabes, Thursday. Still many adventures and more blogs before we come back to Vancouver, May 14th.

Osaka

Here we are back in the big city, in a small apartment and getting ready to do day trips again. We went to the tourist info centre and our agent has been in Vancouver many times, most recently this past winter, in Whistler. She hopes to come for the Winter Olympics. We ask for info about Noh Theatre, Baseball games, museums and trips to places nearby. We went on the highest Ferris Wheel ever and not only got a spectacular view of Osaka but also this message in translation at the very top: "We hope you enjoy your walk in space." (Hope not)We also went to a beautiful park with animal and flower sculptures. On a street walk, we ran into a Kentucky Samurai. We took a day trip to Kobe and visited the Fashion Museum. Have a look at that write up on: clotheslinefinds.blogspot.com

Sunrise-Itoyama-Imaburi City

At this resort, you get to ride a bike across 3 bridges and visit small fishing communities. This is a family style, informal place which specializes in sea-food. The breakfasts and dinners are buffets and you eat forever while watching the cruise ships pass in the night. One of the small towns was celebrating Sakura and we had wonderful ice-cream - not fat reduced! It is hot enough to go swimming although we seem to be the only sun lovers. Families stay over and all ride bikes or scooters and then sit on the beaches and fish or picnic. Everyone seems to be having a wonderful time.

Miyajima Island

A boat trip here was spectacular! Weather warm and sunny and the ferry on time and with seating outdoors and inside. This is the site of one of the largest Toris in Japan and it is right out in the ocean and when the tide comes in, it looks like the Tori is floating. Beautiful beaches and a sea wall surround this town and a cable car takes you up to the top of the mountain to see the monkeys and deer. Although you can walk down, the return cable car trip is easier and gives better views. Seafood is a specialty here, but watch out to order it for lunch as everything closes down at 4:00 or so.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is such a beautiful city considering that it was almost destroyed by the A-bomb and the war. It is totally rebuilt and reminds me of Paris. The Peace Park and remains of the A-bomb site are reminders of what was and what could be. The children's art work, the cranes and the Castle,the scuptures and gardens are monuments of hope. The museum of science and culture for kids, the art galleries and the river banks and celebrations of Sakura are memorable. Our hotel, The Flex, is a great place to stay - right on one of the many rivers and looking out over the city.