The twentieth Abiko International Open-Air Art Exhibition (AIOE) 2017 is coming soon. Domestic and foreign invitation artists have arrived in Abiko and made a courtesy visit to Mayor of Abiko. As usual AIRA sent volunteer interpreters for supporting the courtesy visit and Lake Teganuma cruise. (No.17-13)

Date: October 11(Wed), 2017 10:45 – 13:00
Venue: Abiko City Hall, Lake Teganuma
Courtesy visitors: Clyde D’mello (India), Masto (France), Odmaa Uranchimeg (Mongol), Uta Heinecke (Germany, Hungary), Xiao Li (China), Miho Hirota, Helen Hirai (Ireland)
AIOE committee members: Hiroshi Egami (Organization Chief), Masa Suzuki (Chief of executive committee)
AIRA interpreters: Yasuhiko Hesaki, Shinpei Hesaki, Rie Hama

The memorial twentieth Abiko Open-Air Art Exhibition is scheduled to be held from October 21, 2017. Six foreign artists and three Japanese artists on October 11 made a courtesy visit to Mayor of Abiko, Junichiro Hoshino. Mr. Hoshino welcomed them telling about the charms of the city such as abundance of green and water in the city, literature of Shirakaba school, and introduction of Bernard Leach, English-born ceramic artist once lived in Abiko, and that he was looking forward to appreciate the exhibition every year. Volunteers duly interpreted the Mayor’s speech into English to foreign artists.

Meanwhile invitation artists introduced their carrier and activities and thanked Abiko city for the understanding and support for their cultural activities. One of the artists said that it was the first time to go out of his country and to visit Japan, and that he was fascinated by everything he saw. After taking commemorative photos, they moved to Lake Teganuma.
It was a bit cold and cloudy day. From the pier the artists looked autumn water-birds swimming, such as mute swans and coots. Then they got onboard a cruising boat for lake sightseeing. Interpreters translated the guide of Lake Teganuma by the navigator Mr. Koike.

The artists saw an osprey catch a fish and fly with the fish in his mouth around the sightseeing boat. At the tufted lotus areas, they were very much interested in lotus stalks and seeds. In this way, they enjoyed one hour cruise. The artists will soon begin to create respective art works in Fusa area.

(Translated by Rie Hama)