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Watch our Virtual Artist Discussion with some of the artists from this year's show!
This discussion is hosted by GVJCI Program Manager, Stephanie Mayeda, and GVJCI Art Show Curator and Board Member, Alvin Takamori and features artists from this year's online art show:
- Lisa Chakrabarti
- Joseph Jernigan
- MaeJean Ku
- Rumiko Rolley
- Amanda Sakimura
- Alvin Takamori
This discussion was filmed on September 13, 2020.
- Lisa Chakrabarti
- Joseph Jernigan
- MaeJean Ku
- Rumiko Rolley
- Amanda Sakimura
- Alvin Takamori
This discussion was filmed on September 13, 2020.
Poetry by Genie Nakano
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Genie Nakano was born in East Los Angeles, California. She is a poet and dancer with a Masters Degreee in Dance, from UCLA. An award winning poet and writer, she publishes in many international tanka journals and writes for the Rafu Shimpo. Currently, she teaches Yoga and Exercise in Gardena and will resume her classes at Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Center as soon as it opens.
Website: www.genienakano.com |
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Immunity March
It was worse than I thought It was worse than he thought But his thoughts Hurt a continent we are unprepared we are way behind we don’t have enough … no, we don’t have enough but me I don’t want to talk about it So what can I do I continue to teach Yoga Is this right, is this wrong, am I putting us in harms way should I go back into my cave like the year before out of the cave Into the day my comrades we stand together in a warrior pose Strong and working for immunity I hear Thicht Nhat Hanh’s words We’re alive “breathe in life, exhale smile” I wash my hands for eternity continue on with less mindlessness more into mindfulness, Where are my hands, my arms, my mind I must, we must be prepared and strong Community Immunity Genie Nakano, March 14, 2020 
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Quarantine Daydreams
Sunbathing in the afternoon the birds are belting out songs did they always sing so loud? even New Delhi’s skies have a clear blue look this is what happens in quarantine… an afternoon fantasy starts to bubble where we go back in time —five years is enough then we all know what we should do-- prepare the earth, clean it out vote Bernie and Liz so, the congress can progress and banks give out a thousand a month to everyone then people willingly give up their guns all cows become sacred pigs forbidden to eat everyone grows a victory garden styles start to change to comfortable barefoot and natural colors start to pop From our gardens we catch the fruit as it falls sweet and ready to eat squeeze the juice plant new seeds unroll the day and harvest the sun Genie Nakano, April 27, 2020 |
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SET ME FREE
merging into my present past memories of regretful actions no one remembers thoughts of oblivion cloud my heavy head the rain keeps pouring pouring pouring down the witch is drowning and can’t get out she promises for change and growth too many lives have passed dust is forming pyramids mummies stalk unpaved streets u turns dead ends barricades where is the god of happiness enlightenment for all the world I’m doing the best I can |
I’m
going over the edge nothing to catch me when I fall I need a secret a promise even soft lies tell me there’s a heaven and no hell everyone is healed loving kindness meditations, mystic chants say them give us a break forgive and let go fix the scars and broken pieces press on enter--no return this life is more than enough Set me free Genie Nakano, August 29, 2020 |
Celebrate not Celibate~~~OM MANI PADME HUM
Standing on the steps of an ancient Cambodian temple a daydream starts to reel a thousand years tickle my toes as footsteps vibrate under my feet the daydream takes me deep inside to hear … Om mani padme hum the ancient Pali language sandalwood incense mixes with fragrant Rumdul flowers rising to the heavens I am dizzy with this scent the gods in this temple love women I am blessed to be here I bring rice cakes dipped in honey, mangoes and ambrosia wine the day turns into night dream continues on… a rainbow moon rises in an indigo sky Om mani padme hum three thousand years ago the monks knew secrets of erotica |
everyone
is blissful in this temple the night goes on the love goes on Om mani padme hum to all my dear Theravada Venerable friends Oh, why can’t this be real I am stuck in the land of Covid dreaming up a dream. Genie Nakano, August 1, 2020 
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Meditation …Invitation to Peace
early morning these days no TV no radio prone to quietness I meditate every day the same way like sitting on a rabbit’s foot I feel lucky bound by our desires I watch the incense rise clouds turn into rain turn into spring flowers no birth no death a yogini blossoms in the night unbound by the clarity of daylight |
busy busy busy
thoughts busy buzzing clear the space toss them out watch them fly recreating my past in my mind oops… underwater illusions coming up for air when I meditate many feelings surface anger love regrets I work hard to let them go there is a wounded child in us the only way out is in. where is the god of happiness enlightenment for all the world I’m doing the best I can. loving kindness meditations, mystic chants say them Lord give us a break forgive and let go before they fall catch moments Genie Nakano, Sept. 17, 2020 |
NAMASTE :(First Version)
Dear gods are you there perhaps you are arguing at the moment please do not judge us give us a chance to live it’s so hard living in fear wondering if I, he, she, they, will be the ones it’s so hard not to open the door to talk stand six feet apart because you may be the one So today we elders sat outside in the mist six of us – six feet apart we drank champagne clinking to health and life our fears suspended we laughed until the rain poured down then no more goodbye hugs went back inside Rain dear rain – pour your magic wash this nightmare away Namaste May be live in peace Namaste May we live in light Namaste Namaste… Genie Nakano, 4/7/20 |
Performances
Artists
Click on the pages below to view artists' work by last name.
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