Fumiko Moriyama
Profile
Collaborating with groups of students and corporate workers, Moriyama's artistic activities often deal with themes of imagination, childhood and cultural stereotypes. She strongly believes in art's power to educate and empower creators and spectators alike.Artist Statement
"I check out art exhibitions about 3 times each week and am only surprised by what I see several times a year. Yet, when I go to schools to work with kids, I find myself being constantly surprised by their creativity."Works
'10 Minute Cloud'
Drawn by Japanese 15-year olds at Awa High School, Japan (2000)
Fumiko Moriyama:
"What do you do on cloudy days?"Student Responses:
"Go to Mariko's house.""It depends on how dark the clouds are."
"Maybe nothing much."
"Go to school and volleyball practice - the same as on sunny days."
"Play video games."
"Go shopping with my mom at Jusco."
"I don't know."
"Write in my secret diary."
"Have a cloudy day picnic at Taibusa Park."
"Call all of my friends."
"Go to the indoor swimming pool or piano lessons."
"Eat sweats and read comics"
"Study."
'10 Minute Sun'
Drawn by Japanese 15-year olds at Awa High School, Japan (2000)
Survey
Fumiko Moriyama:
"Which is bigger, the sun or the earth?"Student Responses:
Sun = 33 Earth = 1Fumiko Moriyama:
"What color is the sun?"Student Responses:
Red = 24 Yellow = 4 Orange = 4White = 1 'I don't know' = 1
Fumiko Moriyama:
"How hot is the sun?"Student Responses:
"Hotter than we can imagine.""It would melt us in a second."
"I think about 100,000 degrees."
"So hot."
"It's a ball of fire."
"I forget exactly. But I remember studying that in class."
"I sweat just thinking about it."
'America and Japan in 20 Seconds'
Drawn by North American English Teachers
Living in Japan (2009-2010)
'Team Faces: Head, Hair, Nose, Eyes, Mouth, Ears'
Drawn by blindfolded 8-9 year olds at Japanese public elementary schools (2004)
