Ma: The Space Between
Appalachian Artists Collaborate to Explore the Japanese Concept of “Ma”
In Japanese, the word “ma” expresses a principal that’s rarely articulated in Western art: an awareness of form and non-form as equally significant. In music, it may be the space between notes, in drama, a pause between lines. Four Asheville, North Carolina artists explore the visual expression of the concept through a collaboration called The Ma Group, launching this spring with a group show at the Asheville Area Arts Council, June 3-30.
Contemporary potter Akira Satake and textile artist Barbara Zaretsky are the co-founders of The Ma Group, which also includes studio furnituremaker Brian Boggs and painter Barbara Fisher. Inherent to the expression of ma, says Zaretsky, is the appearance of effortlessness. That elusive quality can be read as simplicity, but differs from minimalism. Rather than achieving a stark, static affect, using ma as a guiding principal reveals the inner life or energy, of the piece, says Satake; an infusion of a quiet richness.
For the four artists, this is accomplished by a commitment to three common elements. The first is a reverence for materials: Boggs exclusively uses sustainably harvested lumber; Zaretsky uses organic hemp and cotton, peace silk, and natural dyes; Satake depends on the elements of clay, fire and ash from woodfiring, Fisher uses oil paint, oil stick, charcoal and other traditional mark making materials. The second is an embrace of process or chance: a fallen ash in the kiln, a variation in a fabric or piece of wood or a “mistake” in a painting becomes part of the uniqueness of a work rather than being seen as a flaw. The third is thoughtful design. Extending the impact of each object, the intentional arrangement of objects together to create a sense of place is a goal for the group.
Ma: The Space Between opens on Friday, June 3 from 5:30 - 8:30 and runs through June 30 at the Asheville Area Arts Council, The Artery. 346 Depot Street, Asheville River Arts District.
For more information, contact Barbara Zaretsky at 828-505-2958.
Appalachian Artists Collaborate to Explore the Japanese Concept of “Ma”
In Japanese, the word “ma” expresses a principal that’s rarely articulated in Western art: an awareness of form and non-form as equally significant. In music, it may be the space between notes, in drama, a pause between lines. Four Asheville, North Carolina artists explore the visual expression of the concept through a collaboration called The Ma Group, launching this spring with a group show at the Asheville Area Arts Council, June 3-30.
Contemporary potter Akira Satake and textile artist Barbara Zaretsky are the co-founders of The Ma Group, which also includes studio furnituremaker Brian Boggs and painter Barbara Fisher. Inherent to the expression of ma, says Zaretsky, is the appearance of effortlessness. That elusive quality can be read as simplicity, but differs from minimalism. Rather than achieving a stark, static affect, using ma as a guiding principal reveals the inner life or energy, of the piece, says Satake; an infusion of a quiet richness.
For the four artists, this is accomplished by a commitment to three common elements. The first is a reverence for materials: Boggs exclusively uses sustainably harvested lumber; Zaretsky uses organic hemp and cotton, peace silk, and natural dyes; Satake depends on the elements of clay, fire and ash from woodfiring, Fisher uses oil paint, oil stick, charcoal and other traditional mark making materials. The second is an embrace of process or chance: a fallen ash in the kiln, a variation in a fabric or piece of wood or a “mistake” in a painting becomes part of the uniqueness of a work rather than being seen as a flaw. The third is thoughtful design. Extending the impact of each object, the intentional arrangement of objects together to create a sense of place is a goal for the group.
Ma: The Space Between opens on Friday, June 3 from 5:30 - 8:30 and runs through June 30 at the Asheville Area Arts Council, The Artery. 346 Depot Street, Asheville River Arts District.
For more information, contact Barbara Zaretsky at 828-505-2958.
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