Name: Workshop: Kintsugi for Beginners
Start: 2024-05-12T13:30:00-05:00
End: 2024-05-12T15:30:00-05:00
Location: International Museum of Surgical Science

Join us to explore the artistry of Kintsugi on Mother's Day! All levels are welcome.
About this Event

Join us for a special Mother's Day workshop with Mami Takahashi, where you'll learn the Japanese art of kintsugi!

Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art form in which gold is used to repair broken ceramics. The practice of Kintsugi highlights the break rather than erasing it and emphasizes that the break, or trauma, is what makes the ceramics more valuable.

In this beginner’s workshop, participants will learn the basic technique of Kintsugi on a small porcelain plate or a small ceramic plate which the instructor will provide, to understand the fundamentals of this process. All materials including adhesives in the workshop will be food-safe. We will also use an artificial Urushi (the natural resin/glue collected from the lacquer tree) sap for this beginner’s class, which is safe to touch without allergy reactions.

Here is a quote about Kintsugi from Linda Muller, a certified life coach:
“Kintsugi is based on the philosophy that breakage and repair are something to celebrate – embracing flaws and imperfections creates a stronger and more beautiful piece of art. Using this as a metaphor for healing ourselves teaches us an important lesson: Sometimes in the process of repairing what feels broken, we become more unique, beautiful and resilient. Kintsugi can be a way to reframe personal challenges. Reminding us that we’re not a victim of our circumstances. Showing us that we can come out on the other side stronger.”

All levels are welcome to enjoy this workshop!

About the Instructor:

Mami Takahashi is a Japanese multidisciplinary artist and a scholar in Chicago. She received her MFA in Contemporary Studio Practice from Portland State University in 2013 and earned a BFA in Japanese Painting from Joshibi University of Art and Design in Japan.

With ongoing artistic research, practice, and teaching, Takahashi explores different approaches to actualize Japanese aesthetics to enhance cultural perspectives in many U.S. communities. She is expanding her creativity to incorporate more specific discourses around society, past and present via a lens of Japanese art. Takahashi also aims to connect Japan and communities in Chicago by teaching traditional and modern art-making techniques.

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Accessible accommodations include a ramp entrance and elevator. If you need additional accessibility options or wheelchair seating, please contact us at [email protected].

Parking and Directions can be found here:

Material Fee $50

About the Multidisciplinary Recovery Series: The International Museum of Surgical Science supports a commitment to contemporary art and artists through exhibitions and programs that use the frame of contemporary artistic practice to examine new perspectives in medical and surgical science and our relationship to the body. The Museum continuously seeks artist performance and workshop proposals for its contemporary art program.

This project is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

This project is supported, in whole or in part, by federal assistance listing number, 21.027 awarded to the International Museum of Surgical Science by the US Treasury through the American Rescue Plan Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in the amount of $125,000.00, representing 83% of total project funding.

This project is partially supported by a Chicago Arts Recovery Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.