Joachim Hiller – Malerei und Reliefs
Antoni Tàpies – Grafische Werke

15. Juni bis 28. Juli 2007

Die Galerie Nero zeigte vom 15. Juni bis zum 28. Juli 2007 Gemälde und Reliefbilder von Joachim Hiller in Kombination mit grafischen Arbeiten des katalanischen Künstlers Antoni Tàpies.

Bei Tàpies ist der Kunstbegriff durch sein Interesse an mystischen Texten, sein Engagement für die katalanische Kultur und durch die Atmosphäre Barcelonas geprägt. Bei Hiller steht die Faszination für Naturprozesse und von ihnen erzeugte Strukturen im Vordergrund.
Hiller interessieren zuallererst Naturvorgänge, physikalische Verwitterungsspuren, wie zum Beispiel das Abbröckeln von Farbschichten. In seinen Reliefs erschafft er aus malerischen Prozessen Strukturen, die mehr oder weniger deutlich an Verwitterungsstrukturen auf Mauern erinnern.
Viele Bilder von Tàpies sehen auch aus wie Mauerstücke, sie sind reliefhaft gestaltet. Das bedeutet, das Bild wird zu einem realen mauerartigen Objekt. Als solches wird es zum Träger privater und politischer Zeichen, zum Medium poetischer Bildzeichen.

Joachim Hiller, 1933 in Berlin geboren, war nach dem Kunststudium in Berlin als Werbegrafiker und Artdirektor in Frankfurt am Main und Hamburg tätig. 1969 zog sich Hiller aus dem Agenturleben zurück und widmet sich seitdem ausschließlich seiner Malerei. So ist in vierzig Jahren ein umfangreiches Werk entstanden.
Seine Bilder erzielten 2006 beachtlichen Erfolg und reges Interesse auf den Kunstmessen in Karlsruhe, Köln und Zürich. In diesem Jahr wird sein Werk neben weiteren Ausstellungen in Berlin und Hamburg auf den Messen in Seoul (Südkorea) und Santa Fé (USA) vorgestellt.

Antoni Tàpies i Puig wurde 1923 in Barcelona geboren und gilt als der wichtigste spanische Maler und Grafiker der informellen Kunst. 1946 nimmt der Katalane einem dreijährigen Jurastudium seine malerische Praxis wieder auf und entwickelt seine eigene künstlerische Sprache. Ende 60er Jahre nimmt er öffentlich Partei für eine unabhängige Kunst und schöpferische Freiheit. Tàpies ist auch politisch aktiv, wandte sich gegen die Franco-Diktatur und setzte sich für die Amnestierung politischer Gefangener ein.

Bilder der Ausstellung hier…

Quite the dominating performance by the Sharks tonight in a 4-1 win at Anaheim. The Sharks absolutely eviscerated the Ducks on their home ice, spoiling the party for Ducks fans. San Jose won in every aspect of the game — a refreshing experience compared to the horrid Colorado game.

Benn Ferriero scored his first NHL goal to get the game started. What did he do? Went to the front of the net! He found the puck right in front of the crease and buried it behind Jonas Hiller, who got the nod ahead of J.S. Giguere. It was fulfilling to see the Sharks dismantle Hiller, after the debacle that was the 2009 playoffs. Jason Demers and Frazer McLaren picked up assists on Ferriero’s goal, which was their first points of their career.

Patrick Marleau continued his excellence by blocking a Ryan Whitney shot on an Anaheim power play, and beating out Whitney for the puck, leading to a shorthanded breakaway. Patty went forehand-backhand to beat Hiller. Perhaps the ‘C’ on jerseys is an extra 20 lbs, because Patty is playing 20 lbs. lighter. I’m looking forward to him having a career year.

Good news Sharks fans! Dany Heatley showed up tonight and the chemistry with Devin Setoguchi and Joe Thornton was on. Coming out of the penalty box, he found Jumbo Joe, who also went forehand-backhand on Hiller — looks like we found a weakness in ol’ Jonas, ‘eh?’

The same sort of play happened next period with Heatley along the boards passing to the slot finding Setoguchi who shot a rocket into the twine. Good to see things picking up for the trifecta.

Benn Ferriero celebrates his first NHL goal (From SJSHARKS.com)

Other Observations

It was definitely a scrappy affair as the teams combined for 80 penalty minutes. That’s what I’m talking about! There were only two legitimate fights (which weren’t very good) but a cornucopia of scrums after the whistle. I liked seeing that though, shows the Sharks aren’t taking exception to any kind of Corey Perry-esque activity. Douglas Murray did get a game misconduct for being third-man-in. Murray went to an Ivy League school; I thought he was supposed to be smart.

The third and fourth lines for San Jose looked amazing and completely gelled. They were always fighting for loose pucks and winning for the most part. I think last year, those lines fought but didn’t succeed enough. I guess when coach Todd McClellan said they now had more grit, he was right. A lot more determination out of guys like Manny Malhotra and Scott Nichol tonight — both who were involved in fights and altercations.

Improvements

Marleau was 1-8 in the faceoff circle; that needs to improve.

The Sharks were 1-7 on the power play. They didn’t keep a constant forecheck enough and looked sloppy entering the zone. McClellan is supposed to be the power play guru, so hopefully that’s fixed by the next game at Los Angeles.

Overall, I was elated to see us disembowel Anaheim and hear their fans immersed in a deafening silence. Here’s to Anaheim not making the playoffs.

–Ray

The Sharks take on the Ducks tonight at Anaheim and it should be a bruising contest. In an interesting roster move, The Sharks sent Jamie McGinn down to Worcester and brought up Frazer McLaren, who is known as a tough guy. After all the things I’ve heard from coaches about playing their own game and not worrying about the other team, this throws it for a loop.

Frazer McLaren giving a Canuck "the business"

So much for playing a speedy, offensive affair as the Sharks are known to do; they plan on adapting to Anaheim’s slower, hit-filled game. I guess it’s worth a shot considering our fast style didn’t work in the playoffs last year. But alas, it’s only one player. We’ll see the effects at 10 p.m. eastern.

Things to look for

1. Saku Koivu’s debut for Anaheim

2. Will Marleau-Pavelski-Clowe line continue their first game performance?

3. Any chemistry from Thornton or Heatley?

4. Who starts in goal for Anaheim? Giguere or Hiller?

5. Nabokov

Slow Starts

Last years division winners in the Western Conference (Detroit, Vancouver, San Jose) are off to a combined 0-5 start. Detroit was swept by St. Louis, while Vancouver dropped a game in Calgary and was shutout by upstart Colorado today.

St. Louis will be dangerous — so long as Keith Tkachuk and Paul Kariya stay healthy. They already have four goals combined in two games; however, one of them will get injured this year — it never fails.

Detroit’s backup Jimmy Howard played in the second game and looked, to put it lightly, sub-par. He allowed to goals in 13 seconds. I really don’t think he will ever be ready for the NHL; he’s a full-time AHLer.

The indication in Anaheim is that Jonas Hiller and Jean-Sebastien Giguere are going  to have to fight it out for the number one spot this season. If  it isn’t figured out in the preseason it may continue into the regular season with each goalie sharing starts until a number one emerges. Not good if  you have to choose one of them for your draft.

—

A light breeze rocks the trees

and dancing on the rhytm of the wind

you frisk through the air

—

You land on an oak’s leave

with your blue-gleaming eyes

pointed at me

—

I’m watching in silence, breathless

observing how the red velvet on your sides

is able to lift you, to help you fly

—

Then the warm summer sun seems to hide

behind some fatal clouds and the wind

impresses you with his blowing strength

—

Suddenly the storm discharged itself

came down for you and with a twinge

crushed one of your velvet wings

—

Fortune did not smile on you

and just to tease you they

ripped off the other one as well

—

You cling to the soft purple of the butterfly’s bush

And you don’t know that when summer ends

death will come for you too, my butterfly

—

Unless, you find the courage to burn

and to rise again from your own ashes

because I would like to see those new wings of yours

—

poem by Christina Bay

music by Wilfried Hiller (1941 – )

Yesterday was exciting, not only did I get to while away the late night dancing to some determinedly old school djs at the Nightlife Preservation Community party, but I also was among the security cleared crowd at Tony Blair’s talk at the 92 Street Y.

Having been a History student and residing in the British empire during much of the reign of Blair, and most memorably during his decision to go to war in Iraq based on imaginary Weapons of Mass Destruction, I was very interested to see what he had to say for himself.

Charming to a tee, it was clear how he had managed (at least in part) to ascend to the highest level of office. Within the span of little over an hour he quoted Rabbi Hillel and Winston Churchill, did impressions of Americans who have mistaken him for the actor in The Queen and of his cockney friend who always gives him good advice.

Where was that helpful mate in 2003 when it came time to issue the command for war? Although Blair channelled him and his other cast of colorful cultural references to please the crowd, he was undeniably uncomfortable when Mathew Bishop the interviewer leading Blair’s Q&A asked him point blank if he regretted the decision.

Blair gripped his chair with both hands and stuttered through a long explanation of how he admits that the intelligence was faulty, but they believed it at the time and any way the world is still “better off without Sadam and his two sons ruling the country.”

When asked whether he thinks that the war in Iraq has actually increased Islamic fundamentalist terrorism and ill feeling towards the west, he said absolutely not. “The responsibility for terrorism lies in the hands of the terrorists.” he said.

At the moment the former PM’s main activities are his work with the recently formed Tony Blair Faith Foundation, the Africa Governance Initiative, the Climate Group and his position as a negotiater of sorts for peace in Israel/Palestine.

On climate, he seemed to grasp that it is a very real and pressing issue, yet one of the main solutions that he proposed is Nuclear power- in my mind a terrible idea.

On Africa, he said that aid alone is not enough, governments have to be taught (by him) how to operate. He proudly asserted that he is working on bottom up state building in Sierra Leone and Rwanda.

On the Middle East. “For Israel the only Palestinian state they will be able to accept is a secure and well-governed state.” Blair said. He is working on state building there as well. Well clearly Britain and its former leader know best. Perhaps those good old imperialist days are not yet over after all.

He said many additional things about religion, democracy and justice, but I am more concerned with what he didn’t say. Bishop actually selected my audience question, “What was the most significant mistake you made as Prime Minister?”  Blair’s response, “That’s for me to know and you to find out.” A chilling thought.

Detroit vs Anahiem-2-2-Last Game {LG}: Detroit doubled Anahiem last game, winning 6-3 to tie the series at 2.
Vancouver vs Chicago-2-2-{LG}: Blackhawks scored in the last two minutes to force OT then scored 2 minutes into the extra frame.
Boston vs Carolina- 3-1 Car-{LG}: Carolina won 4-1, putting the 1st place in the East team on the verge of elimination.
Washington vs Pittsburgh-2-2-{LG}: Pittsburgh won at home, 5-3, and tied up the series, though they still don’t have home ice advantage.

Playoff leaders
Goals: Sidney Crosby, Eric Staal tied at 9
Assists: Ryan Getzlaf with 13
Points: Sidney Crosby, Ryan Getzlaf tied at 16
Plus Minus: Alex Ovechkin, Bill Guerin, Johan Franzen, Milan Jurcina, Daniel Cleary tied at +7
GAA: Roberto Luongo at 1.92
Save %: Jonas Hiller at .964
Wins: Cam Ward with 7
Shutouts: Simeon Varlamov, Jonas Hiller, Cam Ward each with 2

3-0 was the final score in Friday’s Canucks-Blues game. The Canucks had a great game, but the prize goes to… guess who. Roberto Luongo. The Canuck captain stopped 30 shots, but got lucky on a few. Andy McDonald of the Blues had 3 glorious chances, all of which looked like sure goals. Mats Sundin opened the scoring while goals from Alex Burrows and {empty net} Henrik Sedin.The Sedin’s have been great in the first 2 games of the playoffs, Daniel now 2nd in points [4], Henrik ties in 3rd with 3 points. Daniel is also tied for first in assists, with 3 while Henrik has 2 and is tied for 2nd. Henrik, Daniel, Burrows, Sami Salo, and Sundin are all tied with many others for second in goals. Henrik and Daniel are tied with each other for 1st in plus/minus. Luongo is tied for 1st in shutouts [with Jonas Hiller] and wins [with Marc-Andre Fleury]. He is second in save percentage and GAA to Jonas Hiller in both categories. Games today are Washington vs New York R, Boston vs Montreal, Columbus at Detroit, and Calgary at Chicago. Hockeylad 3 stars of the day: 3: Evgeni Malkin, 3 point night lifts Pittsburgh over Philadelphia in 3-2 OT 2: Tim Gleason, overtime goal helps Canes tie series 1-1 1: Roberto Luongo, 1.000 save percentage in game 2 of that series.

Of all the 8 NHL playoff series going on, game ones are done. The upsets included Anahiem beating San Jose and NYR beating Washington. The playoff leaders are Scott Gomez and Phil Kessel tied in points (3)-Kessel and Martin Havlat in goals (2)-Gomez, Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green, Valteri Filppula, Mikael Samuelsson, and Milan Lucic in assists (2)-Paul Martin and 12 others in a plus/minus-Jonas Hiller in save percentage (1.000)-Hiller in shutouts (1)- Roberto Luongo and 7 others in wins (1). A little bit of dirty work in the last few days, Daniel Carcillo shoving a Penguins forward off the faceoff. He received a 1-game suspension. On a nearly identical play, Martin Havlat was involved in a cheap shot, on the recieving end of Mike Cammaleri’s pulled back glove.

San Jose {1} vs Anahiem {8}
Series: 1-0 Ana
Score: 2-0 Ana Hockeylad 1st star: Jonas Hiller, Ana

Detroit {2} vs Columbus {7}
Series: 1-0 Det
Score: 4-1 Det Hockeylad 1st star: Johan Franzen, Det

Vancouver {3} vs St.Louis {6}
Series: 1-0 Van
Score: 2-1 Van Hockeylad 1st star: Daniel Sedin, Van

Chicago {4} vs Calgary {5}
Series: 1-0 Chi
Score: 3-2 OT Chi Hockeylad 1st star: Martin Havlat, Chi

Boston {1} vs Montreal {8}
Series: 1-0 Bos
Score: 4-2 Bos Hockeylad 1st star: Phil Kessel, Bos

Washington {2} vs New York R {7}
Series: 1-0 NY
Score: 4-3 NY Hockeylad 1st star: Scott Gomez, NYR

New Jersey {3} vs Carolina {6}
Series: 1-0 NJ
Score: 4-1 NJ Hockeylad 1st star: Jamie Langenbrunner, NJ

Pittsburgh {4} vs Philadelphia {5}
Series: 1-0 Pit
Score: 4-1 Pit Hockeylad 1st star:Kris Letang, Pit

The Ainu (or “Utari”) people are a group of people indigenous to the island of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan.  Though just recently recognized officially by the Japanese government, it is clear that the Ainu people have existed for at least a thousand years, maintaining a culture and ethnicity distinct from that of the Japanese.

In the early 20th century, the Ainu people grabbed the attention of many anthropologists when it was publicized that they shared physical and skeletal features with the Caucasoid typology (yes, this is a legitimate term in physical anthropology – it was misappropriated by the pseudo-scientific racists and eugenicists in the 19th and 20th century, but anthropologists agree that there do exist measureable differences in the bodies of people in different ‘racial’ categories.)

While the theory that the Ainu were unrelated to the Japanese has recently been debunked by genetic studies, it persisted for many years, and captured the imaginations of many who studied ancient human migration patterns. Some of the more eurocentric westerners were interested in studying their culture to see any potential connections between the Ainu and other caucasian peoples.

An Ainu Girl with Facial Tattoos. Penn Museum Image#LS16454

They emphasized differences between the Ainu and the Japanese in language, stature, customs, skin shade, and particularly, in their appearences, which were shocking to the fastidiously-groomed Victorians.  Ainu people of both sexes had long and untamed hair, the men wore long beards and moustaches, and the women had tattoos around their mouths which westerners likened to “women’s moustaches“. The 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica entry on the Ainu states confidently: “Uncleanliness is characteristic of the Ainu, and all their intercourse with the Japanese has not improved them in that respect.”  It was additionally shocking to the westerners that the Ainu raised bear cubs in their houses, like pets, and then sacrificed the full-grown bears once a year, and set their skulls up in family shrines.

"An Ainu woman breast-feeding a bear cub" by Michel Ribaud: Un Ete au Japon boreal, 1897. from Professor K. Refsing's Ainu website

Given all of this rhetoric, and the colonial relationship between the Japanese government and the Ainu peoples, it is not surprising that the culture was not well studied for many

Oyabe and two Ainu elders, ca. 1900

years.  In 1900, however, a traveler from Philadelphia, Hiram Hiller, took a detour from his pan-Asian journeys (yet another amazing archives story) to visit Hokkaido. He met Jenichiro Oyabe, a Japanese man who was educated as a missionary at Yale University and Howard University.

Oyabe served as a translator and a guide to the Ainu people, and consequently Hiller

A carved wooden tobacco box, Penn Museum object

amassed a large collection of the objects of daily life.  The Penn Museum’s collection is one of the largest in any museum, so much so that the The Foundation for Research and Promotion of Ainu Culture (FRPAC) recently borrowed almost all of our collection to display in the Ainu Craft Exhibition 2008 at Niigata Prefectural Museum of History in Nagaoka City, Japan.

Once Hiller returned home, he stayed in contact with Oyabe, who wrote him friendly letters encouraging him to “tell the world about my beloved Ainu people”.  Which brings us, finally, to our Fun Friday Image – a scan of a (small!) section of a letter from Oyabe to Hiller, in 1902. This letter is written on calligraphy paper, and the entire piece is about 11 inches wide by THREE FEET long!  I love this letter for many reasons, but particularly because it illustrates the problems of early photography, and reminds us of the difficulty that our forefathers went through to bring us the images we now appreciate.  It is also an excellent expression of Oyabe’s personality and sense of humor, and makes me wish he were alive to be my pen pal now.

Letter from Oyabe to Hiller: Feb 14, 1902

The text of the letter: “…the picture of yourself which I took, was especially good. The kodak came too; thank you for your care. I will try as soon as I buy the developing and printing outfit, articles, and lamp; etc. Again I must buy a horse. If I do not have the animal, I shall be like this: [drawing of a man with many backpacks and parcels, holding an umbrella and a piece of paper] Poor Oyabe!”

I hope Oyabe got his horse. It’s only fair, in return for the work he did for Hiller, the Penn Museum, and for his beloved Ainu.

…………………………………………………………..

Many more references:

The Smithsonian Institution’s Excellent Website for their 1999 exhibit: Ainu – Spirit of a Northern People

- also make sure to read Adria Katz’s article “An Enthusiastic Quest: Hiram Hiller and Jenichiro Oyabe in Hokkaido 1901.” in the exhibit catalog

The Ainu Museum of Japan

Early European Writings on Ainu Culture By Kirsten Refsing

Oyabe’s Autobiography, “A Japanese Robinson Crusoe”

Jenichiro Oyabe’s collection of Ainu Riddles

A Japanese perspective on the Ainu recognition by the Japanese government

“Island of the Spirits” a website for the NOVA documentary about Hokkaido

An interesting article on the Japanese practice of Ainu-e paintings, which show a great deal of indigenous life since the mid-19th-century

Museum
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City:   San Carlos
Phone:   (650) 654-0200 
    
From Website: The Hiller Aviation Institute, a non-profit organization, brings together historical, educational and technological resources to create programs which increase public understanding of science and aviation and inspire new opportunities.

http://www.hiller.org/

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The Hiller Aviation Institute is dedicated to the dreams of flight – looking back into aviation’s history while exploring its future. The experience is educational and entertaining casting new light onto the technical innovations. Before you leave, you’ll be transformed from visitor to explorer.