Japanese Forest Farms

Historical / Cultural Significance

The driving force behind Forest Farm is Tadashi Yano, a graphic designer living in Sendai, Japan. What started as normal childhood collecting, turned into an adult hobby which he later incorporated into his advertising copy. Since the first postcard book was published in 1993, the art form has caught on in Japan with contract workshops, three more postcard books, and two large books already published (several more are on the way).

Principles and Elements of Design

Unlike Chinese and other Asian art which is often colorful and intricate, the Japanese ideal is simplicity and harmony with nature. In western art terms, the strongest elements are texture and form. The texture of the natural materials can be enhanced by human intervention but must not be hidden by it. Likewise, the artist respects the organic forms that nature provides and avoids creating mechanical form from organic nature.

Line and color are also important - both are inherent to nature but the artist can use them to enhance images that were vaguely suggested by the original object.

Fundamentals

There are three tenants to Forest Farm philosophy: connections with nature, self-reliance, and cooperation. Creating with natural materials causes people to pay attention to, and take care of, their immediate surroundings. Using tools such as saws, scissors, paints, and glues encourages self-reliance. Gathering materials and making projects with friends or family encuraged cooperation and sharing of ideas.

Techniques and Methodology

Materials

Leaves, rocks, wood pieces are arranged and fastened with white glue, white paint, black marker, scissors, pushpins, and/or magnets.

Integration

Science and the environment: nature walks with a focus on respecting the natural beauty of your environment.

For more Japanese art ideas you can link to...

Japanese Ink Paintings
Japanese Fish Banners

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