Feel of the Needle: The Rakusu Project
The Rakusu Project was inspired by the traditional Buddhist Rakusu, a cloth garment hand-sewn by Zen students prior to their Jukai ceremony. The objects I make are fashioned from paper, hand sewn, and each illustrated with one of Santoka Taneda's haiku (mendicant monk, Japan, 1882 - 1940). I made the facsimile rakasus as part of an ongoing performance installation.
The installation ceremony consists of several performers. Lynda Miller lifts each rakusu from its resting place and drapes it over the neck of Lynn Miller, who recites the accompanying haiku. Lynn then stands silently for several seconds. Lynda removes the rakusu from Lynn's neck and hands it to Bev Magennis. Both bow during the exchange. Bev hands the rakusu to me to install in the gallery. The ceremony includes 21 facsimile rakusus and Taneda's haikus. Once the last one is installed in the gallery, all of us gather for a final bow, haiku, and sake toast to Santoka Taneda.
–Feel of the needle when at last you get the thread through it. S T
–Rustling stirring
a
non chirping insect has come–Santoka Taneda
Glassine, cotton thread, graphite, 14"w x 24" h
–Brilliant sunlight
Illumines the copper statue–Santoka Taneda
Nepalese paper, cotton thread, copper, bamboo, 14" w x 24" h
–Just as I hoped
moonlight everywhere
a night for insects–Santoka Taneda
Tissue paper, graphite, oil pastels, plastic
14" w x 24" h
–Red urine
how long will I be able
to continue this journey–Santoka Taneda
Nepalese lokta* (crimson), cotton thread, red ink 14"w x 24"h
* alchemical symbol for urine