One Hundred Views by artist Naomi Kawanishi Reis
Produced by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and ArtBridge
One Hundred Views by artist Naomi Kawanishi Reis
Produced by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and ArtBridge
My name is Naomi Kawanishi Reis. This piece is called One Hundred Views. The title comes from a Japanese woodblock series published in the 1930s called One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji. And this series is known for these portraits of Mount Fuji shown in a variety of ways. And they most often depict ordinary people going about their workday.I worked with about 70 5th graders from the nearby PS 183 on this mural. You could say that this piece is composed of things that they might see in the neighborhood as well as on their way to school. Here in New York, it’s really a walker city and each of us has our own little experiences. I want this piece to be a reminder that you can find little moments of beauty and delight right in front of you, right here in our day-to-day lives.When I find myself getting caught up in anxieties or daily worries, taking a beat to breathe and notice my surroundings really helps bring me back to the here and now. I'm hoping the kids and the neighbors will see a bit of themselves in this environment reflected back at them and that grounds them in the sense of place in their own neighborhood.This piece was really the most collaborative piece I've ever done in my life. And it was so fun to just have a chance to get the heck out of the studio and out with the kids and to see what they came up with. It was really kind of cool and surprising. I mean, I'm blown away. Honestly, I am so proud of what they did and I'm super excited for people to share it. It was really fun. It was one of the most fun things I've ever got to work on. I'm hoping that shows in the end result.