■Chromodi Craft Workshop
Lecturer: Omi Yukio
Lives in the Urada district of Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture. He is a farmer. He is familiar with mountain animals and plants, and is experienced in gathering wild vegetables and mushrooms. He produces a variety of toothpicks using the bark of the kuromoji tree, such as “Fuji” and “Teppo. He also enjoys making kuromoji tea to enjoy its fresh aroma, and in recent years has been involved in moss bonsai and masonry art.

In the workshop, participants will make toothpicks and chopsticks utilizing the color of kuromoji bark. Kuromoji (Kuromoji) is a deciduous shrub of the camphoraceae family. The branches are used to make high-quality toothpicks, and the toothpicks themselves are also called kuromoji. The branches are sometimes used to make chopsticks, and the leaves are also used to make “kuromoji-cha” (Kuromoji tea), which is known for its antiviral properties. The leaves are also used to make Kuro-moji tea, which has a fragrance. (From Wikipedia)

■Artist Talk
Liam Mugavin
Born in Australia. Lives and works in Myoko City, Japan. He is the representative of designer “Studio Liam Mugavin,” which he created during his residency as a House Ranges artist in Australia in 2017. Moved to Myoko City in 2018. He is working to establish a woodworking school.

■Molding talk
Lecturer: Kawaguchi Yutaka / Naito Kaori
Landscape architects: Art Base Garden OBAEN, based in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Based in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Art Base Garden OBAEN is a landscape architectural design/build firm. The theme is “visions of Paradise,” and she has designed and constructed gardens for individuals, stores, and companies, while working on a 1,000 tsubo site. For the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, he was in charge of landscaping “Dream House” and “Australia House.