Yoko Kloeden Design Ltd’s Post

Some contarian thoughts on Japan. The bell curve. It is universal, so anything that has a sample over 30 will start exhibiting that shape. It is also an other law of human nature that we tend to focus on the extremes, and when the exotic, far away is in question, the postitive extremes. I expected Japan to be full of neat manicured gardens. Public and private. Fail. The only garden we got to see that definitely beat the Japanese garden in Portland OR was one spot in the royal palace in Kyoto. The rest of the parks were clean, but no more manicured than then American parks. Actually less. And way less than Paris or Vienna. At the same time the expectation was that the cities would have an architectural cohesion. The kind of adherence to standards and stylistic guidelines that one finds in Europe west of the Carpatians. None of the sort. More like a way less dusty Tangier. The cacophony of architecture and wires certainly did not align with what we westerners would dream as proper. And then the wires. The wires were everywhere, electric, data, you name it. Way worse than Romania was during the unregulated internet boom. These are just a few of the things that made Japan feel in its own way vibrant, alive, that not everything is like the Shinkansen.

Japan, an island nation in East Asia, is renowned for its unique blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modernity. Comprised of four main islands—Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku—along with numerous smaller ones, Japan boasts a diverse landscape that includes bustling cities, serene countryside, and picturesque natural settings. Historically, Japan's culture has been shaped by a mix of indigenous traditions and influences from neighboring China and Korea. The introduction of Buddhism in the 6th century played a significant role in shaping Japanese spirituality, art, and architecture. Over the centuries, Japan developed a feudal system dominated by samurai warriors and powerful shogun leaders. The Edo period (1603-1868) was marked by peace, isolation, and the flourishing of arts like kabuki theater and ukiyo-e woodblock prints. The Meiji Restoration in 1868 marked the end of feudal Japan and initiated a period of rapid modernization and industrialization. By adopting Western technologies and institutions, Japan emerged as a major global power. Despite the devastation of World War II, Japan's post-war recovery was remarkable, leading to an economic boom that cemented its status as a leading economic power. Japan's cultural landscape is a harmonious blend of the old and new. Traditional arts such as tea ceremonies, ikebana (flower arranging), and noh theater coexist with contemporary pop culture, including anime, manga, and J-pop. Tokyo, the capital city, is a testament to this blend, featuring ancient temples alongside skyscrapers and bustling urban centers. Natural beauty is another hallmark of Japan. The country is home to stunning landscapes like the iconic Mount Fuji, cherry blossom-lined parks, and tranquil Zen gardens. Seasonal festivals celebrate the changing natural scenery, from cherry blossom viewing (hanami) in spring to autumn leaf viewing (momijigari). In sum, Japan's ability to honor its rich heritage while embracing modern innovation makes it a fascinating and dynamic country, attracting millions of visitors and inspiring people worldwide.

📍We're excited to play a key role at the Belgian pavilion for World Expo 2025 in Osaka! The theme? Designing future society for our lives. Belgium will captivate with a scenography co-created by Dirty Monitor, Tempora, Barco, ShowTex Asia and the PROFIRST team. We've shaped the concept of Human Regeneration. A heartfelt message about enhancing humanity, a call for renewal in the face of today’s challenges and a deep reflection on our capacity to change and progress. → We'll explore this profound narrative in 3 acts, focusing on healthcare within the “saving lives” sub-theme: 1) Preventing illness 2) Healing and restoring life 3) Pushing the boundaries of human life For artistic direction, we draw inspiration from Kintsugi. This ancient Japanese art form is a poignant metaphor for Human Generation, symbolizing how our broken pieces today can forge the golden bonds of tomorrow. ↳ Dive deeper into our vision by checking out the full press release (link in the first comment).

Life is what you curve out of it. It takes on the outer shape of what your inner heart has the capacity to imagine.  Self-leadership is what you then intentionally bring out of the grey mass of ordinary days you are given. Going underground is not my favourite thing, I rather walk then take the underground in London so going to the depths of the old mine in Colombia took some persuading. After Colombian friends served the best of the Colombian coffee we headed off to the heart of the dark underpasses –  we were entering not a mine but a Cathedral, Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá Cathedral so vast the main sanctuary can seat 8000 people. Endless chambers and dimmed lights of its many corridors, gave out the otherworldly vibe. I thought of those who worked in darkness and imposed on the hard rock what they envisioned in their hearts. Despite the dangers of the underground world they found time to work and worship, these workers were not only skillful coal miners,  they were – artists. After two solid days curving out the strategy for the work ahead, I thought of the underground cathedral of Zipaquirá, and I thought how much work needs to be done in the inner chambers of our lives before we are even able to envision what can then be seen and appreciated by others. Life is the art of shaping the ordinary and not being afraid to chip away at what does not add value to it. #shapeyourstory #lifeasart #envisionyourlife #strategicplanning #wisdomleadership

Japan has a rich culture. And it seamlessly merges ancient traditions and modern sensibilities. One practice that has gained global recognition is Shinrin yoku. It literally translates to "forest bathing." And it’s a practice rooted in spending time immersed in the natural environment of a forest. The purpose of Shinrin yoku is not to exercise or explore. It’s to soak in the atmosphere of the forest — to fully engage with nature through all five senses. This article seeks to both demystify this practice and explore its various facets: https://lnkd.in/d9v8nrpc (Including origins, philosophy, the science behind it, how to put it into practice, and how it's spread worldwide.)

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐃𝐨 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐭 (𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬)? 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘣𝘺 𝘉𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘪 𝘰𝘯 28 𝘈𝘶𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘵 Over the last three decades, large-scale and perennial contemporary art events like biennials and triennials have not only been burgeoning but also established themselves as institutions of art around the world. They embody the desires and aspirations of different local groups and communities within and beyond art and a great deal of resource is invested in them. There’s no tangible sign that they will diminish anytime soon, as with many of the Covid-19 “great reset” scenarios. Hawaii Triennial, which has been re-articulated as such for the 2022 edition from being Honolulu Biennial born in 2017, is a proof to that. In its fourth iteration in 2025, it has multiplied its venues and even extended them to other islands – Maui and Hawaii Island – in the Hawaii archipelago. Who and what are the constituencies of Hawaii Triennial and what expectations are posed to it? How does it work, being positioned in the context of the archipelago’s complex history and present around anti-colonial struggles, sovereignty movement, ongoing flux of migration and mili-tourism (after Teresia Teaiwa)? And what (alternatives) does it offer to the rest of the (art) world? Binna Choi will address these questions from her position as one of the three curators for the upcoming Hawaii Triennial 2025, entitled ALOHA NO. The talk by Binna Choi is followed by a conversation between Binna Choi, Gabi Ngcobo and Yazan Khalili. This event takes place in de Appel on Wednesday 28 August, at 8pm. The event will be in English. Kindly reserve a seat, as it helps us plan ahead: https://lnkd.in/eKQ7mTbC

We're excited to play a key role at the Belgian pavilion for World Expo 2025 in Osaka!   The theme?   Designing future society for our lives.   Belgium will captivate with a scenography co-created by Dirty Monitor, Tempora S.A., Barco, ShowTex and the PROFIRST team.   We've shaped the concept of Human Regeneration.   A heartfelt message about enhancing humanity, a call for renewal in the face of today’s challenges and a deep reflection on our capacity to change and progress.   → We'll explore this profound narrative in 3 acts, focusing on healthcare within the “saving lives” sub-theme:   1) Preventing illness 2) Healing and restoring life 3) Pushing the boundaries of human life   For artistic direction, we draw inspiration from Kintsugi.   This ancient Japanese art form is a poignant metaphor for Human Generation, symbolizing how our broken pieces today can forge the golden bonds of tomorrow.   ↳ Dive deeper into our vision by checking out the full press release (link in the first comment).  

"All roads lead to Rome" (literally!) This phrase is both a literal historical reference and a metaphorical saying with deeper meanings. Literal Historical Meaning: In ancient times, during the height of the Roman Empire, Rome was the central hub of a vast network of roads that connected the farthest reaches of the empire. The Roman road system, known for its engineering marvels, was designed to facilitate efficient travel, military movement, and trade. Over time, these roads became so extensive that it was often said that no matter where you were, all roads would eventually lead back to Rome. In this sense, the phrase reflects the geographic reality that Rome was at the center of the known world. Metaphorical Meaning: Metaphorically, "All roads lead to Rome" suggests that no matter how different the paths may be, they ultimately lead to the same goal or conclusion. It implies that there are many ways to achieve the same outcome. This saying can be applied in various contexts, including problem-solving, career paths, or personal journeys. It reflects the idea that while people's approaches or routes may differ, the destination or purpose remains the same. Symbolic Interpretations: 1. Unity of Purpose: It suggests that different approaches or methods can still achieve the same result. This can apply to life, where people may take different routes but reach similar successes or conclusions. 2. Centrality and Influence: Rome, in this context, symbolizes a powerful or influential center. In a broader sense, it implies that all efforts and endeavors, no matter where they start, tend to gravitate toward a central idea or entity, much like how ancient Rome was the epicenter of political, cultural, and economic influence. 3. Persistence and Convergence: The phrase can also emphasize that no matter how winding or indirect the path may be, persistence will eventually lead to success. It suggests that despite obstacles or detours, there's always a way to reach the goal. In essence, while the phrase has historical roots in the literal roads of ancient Rome, it has evolved into a powerful metaphor about life, journeys, and the many ways we achieve our goals. Follow me Diella Uka for more. Join my newsletter: diellauka.substack.com #science #history #innovation #leadership

They have silently witnessed the passage of time, bearing the heavy weight of history on their shoulders. They have witnessed the rise and fall of civilisations, our struggles, and our achievements. It has been six weeks since I arrived in Athens for my sabbatical. During this time, I have been learning Greek, writing my first book, and exploring the city. The walls of Athens are stunningly beautiful, but they also carry a profound energy due to the city's rich history. I've shared more about this in my latest post!

What does having time mean? What is it that takes it away from us? How endless is time as a resource in a world with finite bodies and lives?     I don't know how long I looked at this poster. It was placed some days ago in the MAMM (Museum of Modern Art of Medellín), and as it refers to time it was a little paradoxical that it was one of the places where I most spend time during my visit.   Why sometimes it looks like that time yields more to some than to others? Allegedly, don’t we all have 24 hours a day?   A century ago, people were more adhered to the world of the arts, there were people who spoke 5 or more languages, who read a lot of ancient literature, who wrote entire books, who founded companies and who played piano and played familiar, social and sport roles. Is it perhaps that the earth was spinning slower at that time?   Maybe another explanation can be found. Would it be a better approach that the life was more balanced?  Will it be that the art and leisure were not seen merely as a temporarily scape from the work and reality, but rather they were part of the reality itself?   Nowadays we’re looking for revitalization, to strengthen emotional connections and support networks, to have a higher purpose just to cop with exhaustion and precarity. We’re loners in our own worlds, modernity has made us islands of fate, but there is something inside all of us that is eager to vibrate to the rhythm of the Universe, Why to keep denying this essence then?