PURE SILK
SOIES PURES
純粋な絹
If in Museum, Zen Temple or Public Space Please Put Earphones to Enjoy and Press Play.
Pure Silk, Text by the Philosopher Dr. Paul Briot
Dr. Paul Briot, a philosopher and poet, created artistic propositions on a new visionary art published in his 2004, 2017 and 2018 book — Le Rayonnant, un art vers l’infini (Editions Caracteres) that has been interpreted by talented artists who meditate.
His 2018 book includes meditative music and paintings accessible through the mobile. Music has been created for 6 passages and 6 paintings in that book by the Artist Saiso Shimada, the Shakuhatchi artist Masaki Nakamura, who created the music and paintings meditating with the meditator and artist Nathalie Ishizuka.
It took 3 full years of full time searching for Nathalie Ishizuka to discover Saiso Shimada and six years meditating with her and her raja yoga teacher weekly to create together original works. The rare artist that Dr. Paul Briot found could create a moment of silence in the viewer, is now exhibited with Ishizuka at the Japanese embassy in Brussels. Shimada had a solo show in 2017 at the Japanese Embassy and Ishizuka wanted to show the new works that resulted from their collaboration in 2024 that had been left in Tokyo. The wait has been worth it. Today at the Japanese Embassy in Brussels five of the originals published in Le Rayonnant are shared with the European public for the first time. Seven more paintings remain in Tokyo. Ishizuka now aspires with the help of museums or collectors to bring all the paintings back to Europe to be shared with other artists.
About Artist Saiso Shimada
Shimada, born in Yamagata Prefecture, studied under Kaian Tanaka. Her works are on display in Beijing Palace Museum, British Library, Turk Japon Vakfi Kulutur Merkezi, Japanisch-Deutsche Gesellchaft, Ukraine National Gallery, and the Lianyungang Museum. Numerous solo and group exhibitions including EU Embassy Tokyo several private gatherings July 2016, Galleries in Ginza Tokyo, Japan November 2017, the Japanese Embassy in Belgium summer 2017, and Paris, France June 2017.
Her work was commissioned to calligraph the signboard at Musahino Imperial Mausoleum (mausoleum complex of Japanese Emperors).
Most recently works of her art appeared in the philosopher and poet’s book Dr. Paul Briot’s newest 2017 edition of Le Rayonnant…un art vers l’Infini… Her recent book Cosmic Calligraphy, the World of Saiso Shimada (also 2017) is introduced with forward written by the curator of the State Hermitage Museum : Aleksey Bogolyubov, a specialist on Japanese art.
“This wonderous space created by her work brings forth pure emotion and will bring deep healing to people’s hearts and minds.”
— Aleksey Bogolyubov, Curator of the State Hermitage Museum
SAISO SHIMADA: Combination of Breath, Joy, Energy & Spirit
Saiso Shimada: Combines Breath, Energy, Joy and Spirit
BREATH
Combines profound knowledge of calligraphy with Zen & over 15 years of Kikou (Qigong). Each stroke is anchored in breath.
It took Nathalie Ishizuka three years to find Saiso Shimada, but it was well worth the wait.
While many artists meditate, Shimada had her own unique style and life exuded from her art with an energy that surprises and heals.
“She uses breath in a way I have never seen before,” says Ishizuka. Each stroke is advanced yoga, each breath channels energy on to the paper for us to enjoy for many many years ahead.
ENERGY
Shimada paints together the present and the future: a flow of energy that is Japan’s spirit pointed upwards like a samurai sword. It is vertical as is the human spirit inciting Japan to move in a new direction and to focus on what is important. The incision is not horizontal, but vertical.
A new transformation through art. Since shodo ink captures energy on paper and can keep it for many many years, sitting in front of one of these paintings is a sure way to enfuse oneself with new life.
After one meditation of Shimada not being her body nor her mind, Shimada’s calligraphy changed as did the energy in the characters. Sitting in front of that painting Ishizuka can still feel its energy. It sits at my desk to enfuse me with its strength.
JOY The practice of Shimada’s writing itself is a healing experience as is sitting in front of one of her paintings. Joy arises.
Spaciousness.
A place where time stops.
Behind each painting is a story, a place, an opening.
SPIRIT
How many artists when you ask them to draw an auto-portrait draw their spirit?
Larger Artworks by Saiso Shimada Provide Strong Energy to a Space
Saiso Shimada Teaches Shodo in Temples in Tokyo and has been asked by organizations to introduce Shodo and Design at high levels including the Top Design Team at Nike.
“Her sheer presence is beautiful and serene,” says Ishizuka.