Levels 3-6
Did you know that もじゃもじゃ (moja moja) means hairy and もこもこ (moko moko), means fluffy in Japanese? Japanese language jumps into life in this virtual artmaking workshop with NGV Triennial artist, Misaki Kawai. Follow a step-by-step demonstration in Japanese and use basic arts and crafts materials to create playful characters inspired by the creatures in Moja Moja Life: Misaki Kawai for Kids.
Learning Objectives
- Follow simple and scaffolded instructions in Japanese
- Recognise key terminology in Japanese including verbs, adjectives and onomatopoeia
- Use Japanese language in an authentic setting
- Create artworks using common art and craft materials inspired by Misaki Kawai’s Triennial artwork and studio practice
Materials
You will need:
- paper (white and/or coloured)
- bright coloured pencils, crayons or markers
- scissors
- glue
- cardboard that is easy to cut ( for example, an empty cereal box)
Artist Bio
Misaki Kiwai Moja Moja Life: Misaki Kawai for Kids, 2020, is an indoor playground featuring sculptures of dogs, with colourful coats made from different fluffy materials. Moja moja is Japanese for ‘shaggy’ or ‘hairy’. Misaki Kawai, was born in Kagawa in Japan and currently lives and works in both America and Japan. Kawai’s artworks belong to a style of art-making called heta-uma or ‘bad but good’ style, that developed in Japan in the 1970s. Heta means ‘bad’, and umai means ‘good’. A heta-uma artwork may initially appear badly drawn or made but has a layer of meaning or some other quality that makes it good. In other words: a good idea with little attention given to technique.
This program is part of Creative Catalyst, a program for high ability students attending Victorian Government schools.
