Life is Art english

COLOR SESSION 2008Frontier of Color & Material

"The Space of Calligraphy" by Suisen AraiShowing the feeling of prayer and noble time

Author	Suisen Arai
Genre	Calligraphy Pictures of Buddhism
ISBN	978-4-434-03905-9
Product Dimensions/Pages	128mm×182mm／32 page
Price	5,250yen ( included tax)
The date of issue	June, 2007

The republished book of “The Space of Calligraphy” in 2004 A single door-page opening outward makes it clear and comfortable to watch the pictures of Buddhism. You will be satisfied with the sense of the universe and the original spirit in the book.

The apology and the correction of the wrong information in the website.

On the first purpose, “The Space of Calligraphy” was designed and published for European, mostly Italian, fans of pictures of Buddhism in January 2004. However, there had been two big errors in the information of the website. The one is that the genre should have not been “Ink painting” but “pictures of Buddhism,” and the other one is that the book should have been introduced not as a domestic book but as an international one. The wrong information had been seen in a long time such as three years and eight months. We, Biken International Co. Ltd., really want to apologize to the people who have watched the website and especially to the writer, Ms. Suisen Arai.

2007 Track Records

Exhibitions & Events Track Records
|2007 |2006 |2005 |2004 |2003 |2002 |2001 |2000 |1999 |1998|

■COLOR SESSION 2007
April 12 - 14	Tokyo , Japn Big Sight

「EN」 THE ART OF JAPANESE IDENTITYCHARITY ART FESTIVAL IN CHELSEA

THROUGH THE EYES OF YOUR CULTURE

The EN Charity art event was held at the Metropolitan Pavilion located in the Chelsea district of New York City from December 13 through December 15, 2006 . This large-scale exhibition featured nearly 400 works of art by approximately 300 Japanese artists.

All the participating artists were aspired to convey "Messages for Peace", a theme reflected in much of their work. The exhibited pieces were available for sale.

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10% of the art sale proceeds, 100 % of the art goods sales, and a charity box on the site for collection of additional individual donations at the gallery entrance go to families who lost their loved ones in Operation Iraqi Freedom through Operation Family Fund. Also, we placed a charity box at the “section of oil painting’’ for the Green Belt Movement.

Entitled ‘’ Through The Eyes of Your Culture’’, the exhibition's messages center around peaceful relations between Japan and the United States and the hope for world peace that transcended culture, language, and gender. It also highlighted the Japanese artistic sensibility, giving viewers a glimpse of interpretations of peace as seen through the prism of Japanese aesthetics and art forms,both traditional　and modern.

Nearly 70% of the pieces exhibited were traditional calligraphy, Japanese-style painting, ink painting, haiku, tanka and ceramic artwork. These traditional forms have deep roots spanning centuries of history and reflect the foundational spirit of Japan's art heritage. The works that comprise the remainder of the exhibit highlight the progression of recent artistic identities catalyzed by Japan's changing social and cultural environment in modern times.

One of the pivotal events in the history of Japanese modern art was the introduction of oil painting, which officially began when Tenshin Okakura invited American artist Ernest Francisco Fenollosa to the Art School of Tokyo in 1887. This blending of East and West began an era of heavy Western cultural influences in art, which eventually progressed full circle and ushered in the current era of reconnection with original forms of traditional Japanese art. But even in the most abstract modern works with strongly evident Western artistic sensibilities, the beloved Japanese theme of the four seasons of nature (inspired by the broad climate range of the nation's archipelago) appears again and again, giving them a uniquely Japanese tone.

The modern art chosen for the exhibition are stand-out examples of this beautifully blended aesthetic.

From the Meiji era, when Taikan Yokoyama and Tenshin Okakura came to the United States, to the present, where Takashi Murakami is gaining a great deal of attention for combining Japanese original culture with a wide variety of influences, there have been many approaches to introducing Japanese arts to the US and to New York City in particular. Through The Eyes of Your Culture was a rare opportunity for the New York City community to be a part of a versatile cultural exchange project that provided a wide window into the Japanese identity through the medium of art, and a chance for greater understanding of the Japanese people and culture.

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Main Category		Oil painting, Water painting, Calligraphy, Sculpture, Craft, Ceramic, Photography, Flower Design, Poem, Haiku,Tanka
Main Exhibitors		Hiroyoshi Oda ( Oil Paintings ) Member of the Japan Art Academy / Nika Association, President Aoko Mitani (Japanese style painting) Hiroshi Akaana (Oil painting) Reiji Hiramatsu (Japanese style painting) Kohun Yasuhara (Sho) Shuntarou Tanigawa (Poem)
Host		Biken International
US Agent		Algorithmic Creations LLC
Supported by		Business model e-bizmo Co., Ltd. Avex Entertainment Co., Ltd. Twinkle Co., Ltd. ITO EN Co., Ltd. EN Japanese Brasserie Haiku Society Of America COCOANEWYORK.COM

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The Start of the Second World Poetry Contest

Poetry makes the world Hot!
The Poetry Renaissance Executive Committee launched “World Poetry Contest”. This project’s mission is to introduce the fascination of distinctive Japanese Poetry such as Haiku, Tanka, and Senryu, and spread the wave of writing poetry around the world.

There has been a growing interest in Japanese Poetry year by year, and more and more people learning and composing Japanese Poetry, of course in United Stated, and also in European countries such as Italy and France.
Japanese Poetry is getting close attention to its style of beautiful expression, which includes scenes and emotions in limited words.
The Poetry Renaissance Executive Committee would like people from all over the world to compose poetry, and foster international exchange with poetry through “World Poetry Contest”.

On this occasion, the Second World Poetry Contest was held in conjunction with New York International Art Festival 2006— EN: THE ART OF JAPANESE IDENTITY CHARITY ART FESTIVAL IN CHELSEA.

The Grand Prize Winner will be Awarded a Return Air Ticket to Japan!

After the New York International Art Festival 2006— EN: THE ART OF JAPANESE IDENTITY CHARITY ART FESTIVAL IN CHELSEA, entries was examined first by the local judges. The final examination was conducted by the people of letters who have entered the festival to determine the grand prize winner. The winner will receive a return air ticket to Japan.

Organizer		Poetry Renaissance Implementation Committee
Local Judges		William J.Higginson, and Penny Harter, poets and Past Presidents, the Haiku Society of America.

The Results of the Second World Poetry Contest Announced

Thanks partly to the cooperation of the Haiku Society of America, we received a total of 73 entries ,and this contest saw many works of a high quality.

The Major Award-Winning Works

M.Kei / Tanka

my mother
planted a plum tree
to have blooms
when her heart
was winter weary

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BIKEN INTERNATIONAL C0.,Ltd.

Biken International was founded in 1997. The Biken philosophy centers on providing exhibition opportunities for talented artists and creators regardless of style or category, achieving notable success via a wide variety of exhibition-focused events and the publishing of individual and collaborative collections.

Biken is broadening its activities through the expanded production of creative initiatives and events through traditional and non-traditional mediums and venues. Biken International's ultimate mission is to enrich the hearts and minds of people across cultural and social lines, and to build an artistically fluent society fhrough their art-based cultural activities.

Founded		December 1, 1997
CEO		Yu Kaburagi
Number of Employees		80 (As of November,2006)
Head Office		9F Sumitomo fudosan aoyamadori Bldg, 1-7-7 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku Tokyo, Japan 150-0002
Telephone		+81 3-5766-9291
Fax		+81 3-5766-9292
Main Clients		JTB Corp. Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. Tokyo Big Sight Inc. Tosho Printing Co., Ltd. Nikkei Printing Co., Ltd. Nippon Express Co., Ltd. Nippon Travel Agency Co., Ltd. Hakuhodo Inc. Business model E-bizmo Co., Ltd. Fuji Ad. Systems Corp.
Affiliated Corporations		Research Institute for National Policy Design＆Business Forum The Japan Society of Publishing Studies The JapanChamber of Commerce and Industry Japan Jyoso Cultural Society Japan Library Association

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B A N Q U E T　　C E R E M O N Y

Pre-Opening Dinner * RSVP Only		December 11th ,2006 7:00PM-10:00PM
Venue		Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum 2 East 91st Street, New York, NY 10128 Phone: 212-849-8321 http://ndm.si.edu/

E X H I B I T I O N　　O U T L I N E

Speciall Vewing Reception * RSVP Only		December 13th,2006 6:00PM - 9:00PM Open Bar ＆ Refreshment: Sushi 3 hours ''ZAN'' Japanese Instruments performance starts at 6:30PM
Exhibition On View		December 14th ,2006 11:00AM - 8:00PM December 15th ,2006 11:00AM - 3:00PM
Venue		The Gallery Room of Metropolitan Pavillion 123 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011 Phone: 212-463-0200 www.metropolitanevents.com
Biken US Agent		Algorithmic Creations, L.L.C 55 Broad Street, 16th Floor New York, New York 10004 Phone : 212 925-3774 Facsimile: 212 658-9422 Contact Events RSVP /Keiko Ohashi cyberneticsoul@nyc.rr.com Contact Events Details and Information/ Mio Hayafuji at miohayafuji@gmail.com

2006 Track Records

Exhibitions & Events Track Records
|2007 |2006 |2005 |2004 |2003 |2002 |2001 |2000 |1999 |1998|

■Christmas Art Fair Holy Night
December 21 - 23	Vatican Ｇａｌｌｅｒｉａ La Pigna

■「EN」 THE ART OF JAPANESE IDENTITY 　　CHARITY ART FESTIVAL IN CHELSEA
December 13 - 15	New York , America Metropolitan Pavilion

■-Open Art Windows in AOYAMA ART Festival 2006-
October 28 - 30	Aoyama Tokyo, Japan

■-Fun Fun Halloween-
October 8 - 9	Odaiba Tokyo, Japan Venus Fort

■-A photograph exhibition of Asami Ishikawa- 　　Wing of heart ~find your beautiful butterfly~
July 22 - 23	Daikanyama Tokyo, Japan Pangea Solarium

■-Artist Book Fair 2006-　 ~Book that tells love~
June 27 - 29	Akasaka Tokyo, Japan. AKASAKA ARK HILLS, Karajan Space

■-Sankt Petersburg International Art Festival-
June 22 - 24	Sankt Petersburg, Russia. National Russian Museum, The Manege

■Province Art Festival ~The Fountain of Beauty~
May 24 - 28	Province, France Centre des Congres

■-TOKYO ART COLLECTION-
May 5 - 8	Tokyo, Japan TOKYO BIG SIGHT

■-The words of Love and Nature-
March 18 - 20, 22 - 24, 26 - 28(3 sessions)	Gran Canaria

2005 Track Records

Exhibitions & Events Track Records
|2007 |2006 |2005 |2004 |2003 |2002 |2001 |2000 |1999 |1998|

■-POST Cafe in AOYAMA ART Festival 2005-
October 29 - 31	Aoyama Tokyo, Japan

■-Tokyo International Book Fair-　（Booth Attendance Only）
July 7 - 10	Tokyo, Japan TOKYO BIG SIGHT

■Life is Art 2005　-HAKONE ART FESTIVAL-
June 11 - 19	Hakone-machi, kanagawa, Japan The Hakone Open-Air Museum

■-Life is Art 2005 Blue blue-
May 21 - 22	Aoyama Tokyo, Japan. MODAPOLITICA

■-Japan-Korea Contemporary Art Festival-　~Rush through Asia~
May 5 - 13	Seoul, Korea Kumho museum of art

2004 Track Records

Exhibitions & Events Track Records
|2007 |2006 |2005 |2004 |2003 |2002 |2001 |2000 |1999 |1998|

■-The Dawn of Beauty and Creation　~winter~　-
December 1 - 15 （3 sessions）	Yokohama, Japan YOKOHAMA-AKARENGA

■-Barcelona International Biennale-
November 25 - December 2	Barcelona, Spain. Casa Battlo

■ Life is Art Exhibition　-The Dawn of Beauty and Creation-
April 18 - 27	Yokohama, Japan. YOKOHAMA-AKARENGA

■-The Beauty Liberation-
February 18 - 20	Paris, France

2003 Track Records

Exhibitions & Events Track Records
|2007 |2006 |2005 |2004 |2003 |2002 |2001 |2000 |1999 |1998|

■-The Infinity of Kyoto-
November 29 - December 1	Kyoto, Japan Nishihongan temple, Kihou Center

■-The Divine creation in Vatican-
November 6 - December 6 (4 sessions)	Rome, Italy

■-The Harmony of Light and Water in Venice-
October 17 - 31	Venice, Italy

■-The Glorious Renaissance in Firenze-
October 10 - 12	Firenze, Italy

■-The Autumn of medieval Flanders-
September 29 - October 4	Meheren, Belgium

■-The Beauty Revolution-
July 8 - 10	Paris, France

■-Shanghai Twin Dragons-
February 20 - 27	Shanghai, China. Shanghai Museum

■-Good Hope in South Africa-
January 19 - 21	Johannesburg, South Africa. Sandton Civic Centre

2002 Track Records

Exhibitions & Events Track Records
|2007 |2006 |2005 |2004 |2003 |2002 |2001 |2000 |1999 |1998|

■-International Exhibition of Sankt Petersburg Sanctuary-
September 20 - 23	Sankt Petersburg, Russia National Russian Museum, The Manege

■-Finland mythology the creation of the world-
August 28 - 30 September 3 - 5	Rovaniemi, Finland “Lappia” Theater

■-KOREA/JAPAN COLLABORATION FESTA 2002 IN SEOUL-
July 2 - 7,　9 - 14 (3 sessions)	Seoul, Korea Chosun Ilbo Museum

■-Exhibition of Association of Alba Gatta Rome Artists-
June 11 - 16	Roma, Italy Galleria Corsi

■-Eternal Peace Art Festival 2002-
May 10 - 12	Stockholm, Sweden

■-Milan Collection of the Art-
April 15 - 21	Milan, Italy Galleria by Corsi

■-Exhibition of the dawn of Asuka -
April 15 - 21	Nara, Japan Man’yo Museum

■-Exposition at AREZZO-
April 12 - 17	Arezzo, Italy. Circolo Artistico

■-The Infinity of Todai-ji Temple-
April 5 - 7	Nara, Japan. Todai-ji (Kinsho Hall, Old Todai-ji Gakuen Building )

■-Selective Exhibition of Grace Sapphire-
March 7 - 11	Bari, Italy. Bari Fiera del Levante

2001 Track Records

Exhibitions & Events Track Records
|2007 |2006 |2005 |2004 |2003 |2002 |2001 |2000 |1999 |1998|

■-Principality of Farnese Art Festival-
December 6 - 9	Reggio Emilia, Italy Fiela de Reggio Emilia

■-Casa Battlo Art Exhibition-
November 27 - 29	Barcelona, Spain Casa Battlo

■-Pisa Contemporary Art Exhibition-
November 5 - 25	Pisa, Italy

■-International Art Festival in Padova-
October 17 - 22	Padova, Italy Padova Fiere

■Exposition - Attraction of Japan -
September 22 - 30	Franscati, Italy Chentlo Paleoti

■-Piombino Art and Craft Show-
September 2 - 21	Piombino, Italy City center of Contemporary Art

■-Exhibition of Association of Alba Gatta Rome Artists-
July 3 - 16	Roma, Italy Galleria Corsi

■-Neo Japonism Festival-
July 3 - 5	Toulouse, France

2000 Track Records

Exhibitions & Events Track Records
|2007 |2006 |2005 |2004 |2003 |2002 |2001 |2000 |1999 |1998|

■-Japan Festival in BUDAPEST-
November 15 - 18	Budapest, Hungary The Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest

■-Art Festival for the World Peace in the Marquisate of Kiev-
September 3 - 5, 20 - 24	Kiev, Ukraine Pecherska Lavra Monastery and Catacombs, Ukrainian Museum

■-Global Earth Festival in Italy-
June 27 - July 5	Riccione, Italy Palazzo del Turismo

■-Principality of Montefeltro Art Festival-
May 10 - 16	Urbino, Italy Palatina Salvatori

■-Art Festival in ASIA 2000-
February 24 - 28	Taiwan, China National Dr.Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

Message from the President

It is my pleasure to welcome and thank for visiting the Biken International Website.

Biken International was founded in December 1997 to contribute the prosperity of culture and art, and the realization of the creative community, based on a corporate philosophy.

Since our company was established, we have provided original and creative exhibition opportunities in western countries such as in Italy, France, Spain, and as well as in Japan for artists whose artistic activities are based in Japan.

Biken International has also developing wide range of its activities through holding exhibitions, publishing art collective books, introducing artists and their artworks via radio and web.

The underlying of our activity is our passion to provide for what human hearts need.

The cross-border mutual cultural and artistic understanding is growing importance more than ever in this flagging time.

We could see a strong proof that people are increasing the recognition of what effect culture and art bring to our society.

We will present enormous potentialities of culture and art, support for even low evaluation of art expression style, and contribute to the realization of the enriched society.

We look forward to receiving your continuing support.

Sincerely,

Biken International Co., Ltd.
Yu Kaburagi, CEO

Company Outline


Company Name	Biken International Co.,Ltd.
Founded	December 1, 1997
CEO	Yu Kaburagi
Number of Employees	70 (As of June,2007)
Head Office	1F Sumitomo fudosan Aobadai hills, 4-7-7 Aobadai, Meguro-ku Tokyo, Japan 153-0042
Telephone	+81 3-5790-5750
Fax	+81 3-5790-5749
Main Clients	JTB Corp. Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. Tokyo Big Sight Inc. Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. Nikkei Printing Co., Ltd. Nippon Express Co., Ltd. Nippon Travel Agency Co., Ltd. Hakuhodo Inc.
Affiliated Corporations	The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Japan Jyoso Cultural Society Japan Library Association

Business

Biken International work as a bridge between a variety of creative activities and society.

．
event project	International art exhibition, event planning/operation
Publishing	Issue of Artist books Issue of Art related books Issue of periodicals “Rosalba”, and “Kanon”
Trade fair project	Color design Trade Fair planning/operation
Web project	「Life is Art」Web site planning/operation 「Rosalba」Web site planning/operation 「Kanon」Web site planning/operation
Visual project	Artists’ Promotional videos DVD planning/production/ sale
Product development project	Various art goods planning/production/sale
Mecenat project	Sponsorship/ cooperation for educational program through art

1999 Track Records

Exhibitions & Events Track Records
|2007 |2006 |2005 |2004 |2003 |2002 |2001 |2000 |1999 |1998|

■-Contemporary Exposition of Italian and Japanese Great Artists-
April 9 - 11	Tokyo, Japan Italian Cultural Institution