Saiu Minagawa
Experiencing the world of calligraphy – Japanese art of writing
Seminar/Workshop, English, 2 SWS, 2 ECTS
Fridays, 14-18:30 h, 7 dates: 21.10., 4.11., 11.11., 25.11., 2.12., 9.12., 16.12.2016,
Hardenbergstr. 33, room 101

In the workshop, you will experience the Japanese calligraphy that is derived from China through writing it yourself. Doing calligraphy might look as simple as writing characters on white paper with black ink and a brush. In fact, drawing a stroke requires high concentration on the key points of calligraphy writing such as character formation, black and white composition, brush movement and even your breath as you write, which together constitute the uniqueness (Einmaligkeit) of calligraphy.

In the workshop which combines lectures and practice, you will learn about:
1. A brief history of calligraphy and characters: Chinese characters are ideographs in which every character carries one or more meanings. You will learn to understand the structures of some characters and how meaning is conveyed.
2. Writing techniques: There are several different styles of writing and each of them requires a specific writing technique. In the workshop you will learn how to write in block and cursive styles.
3. Producing your work: After practicing the traditional writing techniques, you produce your own work.

While you may choose some characters and write them as an art work, you are more than welcome to go beyond the traditions, for example, by writing on other material than paper, creating an abstract new character or focusing on physical movement using the brush. By the end of the workshop, you produce a piece of calligraphy work and make a presentation or write an essay about your work.

Activity requirements for the ungraded Studium Generale credits: Committed and regular attendance, one calligraphy work and one short essay or presentation.

Saiu Minagawa is a Japanese calligrapher (Shihan-Master) with more than 25 years' experience. She was born in Tokyo and started to learn calligraphy at the age of nine. She studied French Literature (Bachelor) at Keio University in Tokyo, Aesthetics and Art History (Bachelor) and dramatic criticism in the department of Inter-Media Art (Master) at Tokyo University of the Arts. She received awards at the Mainichi Shodo Exhibition, the biggest calligraphy exhibition in Japan. Currently she is an associate member of Sogen Shodo Calligraphy Organization (Tokyo) and studying under Sokyu Nagamori, a Master of Calligraphy. More information on http://saiucalligraphy.wixsite.com/saiu-calligraphy.