I went to Kinokuniya, my favourite bookshop in Sydney (500 George Street). They have a big collection of English and Japanese books. I fell in love with and bought this fine art print by Alberto Santiago. The enigma of the dyadic figure is one of the strong thematics of my upcoming project Alice. Alberto exhibited in Design Fiesta (Tokyo) too in 2010 and I think we share the same passion for Japanese gothic.

I have just discovered Japanese Gothic, a new book about the gothic influence on contemporary Japanese artists. A few pages are dedicated to the master dollmaker Ryo Yoshida (picture above). I had previously been mesmerized by the majesty of his ball-jointed dolls. The word Ningyo means doll in English but if pronounced differently could also mean malefic creature. In Japan, dolls were used for magic and ceremonial purposes as they were in my childhood in Cameroon. They are today also synonymous with childhood but have kept their mystery and dark undertones. I think Ryo Yoshida offers one of the most beautiful and disturbing examples.

I am preparing my residency and have begun to concentrate on the symbolism of dolls in traditional and contemporary Japan. My previous trip to Tokyo strongly influenced one of my previous projects Ningyo (doll in English) in Mori Gallery. Ningyo lies at the intersection of artistic and medical practices by dealing with Anorexia Nervosa. For this site specific work, I sought real life stories to create a fictional intimate diary and a living picture for the opening night. In the two pictures above, the model (Rhiannon Bulley photographed by Kent Johnson) was doll like and acted a series of living pictures inspired by the French tradition of tableaux vivants and the inscrutable mysteries of Japanese dolls.

Being fascinated by Japanese culture, I am extremely pleased to have been selected for a residency in 3331 Arts Chiyoda. This program offers the opportunity for artists from all over the globe to spend one month in the heart of Tokyo and have access to a studio and a gallery whilst staying in the accommodation of 3331 Arts Chiyoda. I will spend all of April 2012 in Tokyo and will document the process on the blog.

For more information about 3331 Arts Chiyoda: http://www.3331.jp/en/

A few pictures and a video of the Memorium#2 project to give a glimpse of Patricia’s very beautiful voice. A longer version of the video will be posted soon.

Here is the recipe for making the oatmeal and raisin mourning cookies that were inside the little boxes that were given away at the end of the ceremony Memorium #2.

Ingredients: 150g unsalted butter, 220g soft brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla essence, 1 egg, 150g plain flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 200g rolled oats, 190g raisins

Cream the butter and sugar. Add the vanilla and egg. Beat well. Sift in the flour and baking powder. Stir in the raisins and oats. Once the mixture is well mixed, take a teaspoon-full of the mixture to make a ball and flatten with the palm of your hand, or, as the recipe says, used a fork dipped in flour to make little ridges. Cook on a baking tray lined with baking paper at 180 degrees Celsius for 12 - 15 minutes

I finally decided to make a rosette for the mourning ribbon of the project Memorium#2. During Victorian times, black ribbons were carried in memory of the deceased by both men and women. Sometimes, the ribbon would be complemented by a locket containing a lock of hair or a picture of the loved one. As my mother could recall this occurring at the funeral of her uncle, it seems this was still the custom in France in the mid 20^th century.