Duet at Film festival:

Screening Sleepless Kao’s animated short “Duet” at San Francisco’s Asian American Film Festival and AAIFF (NY)

Sora and Sarsaparilla, is a two-girl story. These ‘flannel graphic’ characters, they are literally living on a song which is performed by the Vancouver indie group “Mimi’s Ami”, meaning that the creation of my animated video narrative was inspired by, and also illustrates, their great music

However, my two girls grew alive and independent as soon as they were made, so now they exist as themselves in this world; they are based on a quirky friendship: me and my wish for another me to be my best pal

I want to share with someone who remembers playing as a child, how easy it was to keep yourself company and be one’s own best friend if there wasn’t anyone else around. As an adult, this is a valuable memory to me about taking care of myself when maybe I feel afraid of being alone. I don’t want to lose this important soul in my life!

Interviewed by ”rice paper” Magazine, Vancouver, BC

-Kelly Osbourne has touted her cheeky evil dolls a “must-have”. Her art has won international recognition with features in Hong Kong’s Milk magazine, the Washington Post, Vancouver Courier and Loop Magazine. Ricepaeper’s Alan Woo goes on a mission to find out what makes this artist tick, and falls through a tunnel into one girl’s chaotic wonderland-

text alan woo    photos william ting

Milk Magazine:

Interviewed by ”Milk” Magazine, Hong Kong

右も左もわからない香港で訪れた雑誌社のかっこよさにドキドキ

中国語でよくわからないけれども、インタビューではとても良くしていただきました

雑誌のど真ん中の見開きにきれいにレイアウトしていただき驚きと感謝です

Pounding:

At SOMARTS, San Francisco, CA

Pounding:

Pounding is a series of figures captured in tubes. Signifying isolated human emotions, without gender, these figures look alike yet emit a sense of distinct melancholy. The figures do not touch each other. They know of each other but somehow lacks the tools to communicate with each other, simply because in each tube, each figure has one’s own barriers. Each figure has its own personality, as denoted by the written note in the tube. Yet all figures have the  same need, to be understood and to be found. All figures have the same fear – being afraid to show true emotions

This series was created as a result of a conversation with a friend. During the conversation, I felt a sense of loneliness within my friend. We were talking but there was an immense feeling of loneliness within him, as well as within myself. But we were talking to each other, at least, we were trying to communicate with each other. I began to make a figure, a dummy of myself. Then I thought Javid needs a friend. So I made a second figure. And suddenly, I felt that lots of people need some dummy, like us. I made 29 figures. I feel that I am okay right now. I also painted on canvas my Pounding feelings. I feel this work is continuous. Whenever I get the Pounding feeling, I will start again

tube:

these are figures in 4×1 1/2 tubes.

each figure has message but they don’t know how to express themselves

old old days, people are more sensitive and had some kind of instinct tells you about each other

“i try to contact with you but i don’t know how to take out this barrier in my mind”

hakaribakari wagamama

An Exhibition at Compound Gallery, Portland, OR

HAKARI BAKARI WAGA MAMA features 25 paintings showing a Japanese pop character named Hakari-chan. Hakari is defined as a Japanese word for “scale and balance” and Bakari as a word for “only or just”. Wagamama means “selfish”

The suffix “chan” is an endearing term to address someone who is dear to one’s heart. Kaori Kasai described HAKARI BAKARI as scales in this present world. This show is about Hakari-chan just being selfish. Selfish Hakari-chan (i think kids are kind of selfish.they think they are no.1) is trying to learn how to fit in a society

what are values? what is the most important thing? somehow all scales in this world are not working. hakari-chan is still a child, don’t know much about values
hakari-chan wants to weigh everything on its mind

この頃の私達は時間に追われていて何を優先するかとか利害関係ばかりを気にしているような気がする
そういう癖がついているので友人と接していても頭の中でちらっとハカリが動く時がある。あの友人とこの友人の誘い、どっちをとろう等というふうに

全ての人の命は尊いものだと言うけれど、現実の世界では何かどこかが壊れている感じ

hakari-chan はそんなぶっ壊れた世界をはかりなおそうとしているのかもしれない

HAKARI BAKARI

New Paintings by Sleepless Kao
At National Product, May 7 – June 6, 2003

Opening Reception
Thursday, May 9, 8pm – 10pm

From May 7 through June 6, 2003, National Product (1845 Market Street) will present paintings and artwork of Kaori Kasai, an illustrator and painter. HAKARI BAKARI features 15 paintings showing a Japanese pop character named Hakari-chan. Hakari is defined as a Japanese word for “scale and balance” and Bakari as a word for “only.” The suffix “chan” is an endearing term to address someone who is dear to one’s heart. Kaori Kasai described HAKARI BAKARI as “scales in this present world.” Concerned by environmental issues and war conflicts in the world, Kaori uses Hakari-chanas a voice to question human values

National Product: Located on 1845 Market Street near Guerrero, National Product is a unique store for local art and unusual gifts

planet series

about my artwork:

planet series for people still looking around their homeland. i am dreaming, someday i can find my dreamland.

this world has so many issues i can’t help. maybe i have to look my dreamland in another planet…

[alien]

i am alien
i am afraid to walk outside
i am scared someone talk to me

i am strong in my planet
i am wimp in this planet

[Silent]

Can’t hear

anything

your saying

everything

I shout out wholething I don’t want to break my heart I don’t want to smash my head