Nancy Uyemura
Harmony
1996
Project Area: Little Tokyo
Project: Casa Heiwa
Project Location: 231 E. Third Street
Project Type: Developer
Description:
A mixed media sculptural piece in the shape of a fan forms the entrance to the building. Photo images depict a personal journey of the spirit and show family and relationships in balance. In 2007, this piece underwent minor restoration as deteriorated aluminum panels were replaced with more permanent porcelain enamel panels.
At the February 2008 re-dedication ceremony, Nancy Uyemura shared her poem, "Thoughts on 'Harmony.'"
“Harmony” is about the everyday events of
our lives and the memories that remain.
A scrapbook of dreams – and like a dream
the images come from the everyday – the
miraculous in the mundane and it is only a
memory that remains.
What happens when the memory begins to fade?
What do we have left?
What happens when our goals are forgotten
– what do we do then?
Why is it that some images remain vivid in our
minds while others leave us quickly?
It is the randomness of the life.
Community, family, friends and strangers,
remind us of the imperfectness of humanity,
and the swiftness of life.
If there is a message here, it is to enjoy,
appreciate each moment, for it is all too
fleeting, like the seasons and the wind.
A wave of a fan controlled by a human hand
makes you feel for a moment, as though
you can control the wind, that you can control life.
Maybe you cannot control life, but you can
and do make a difference, one movement
at a time. Your life makes a difference, one
thought, one action at a time.
sometimes we can control the dreams
other times we cannot
sometimes we choose to go a certain way
and other times we are swept away in a cloud
Art Projects
