Please join us for two presentations by paper specialist and UI graduate Paul Denhoed

Wednesday March 21st
7:30PM,  116 Art Building West
Japanese Hand Papermaking in the 21st Century
(additional details below)

Thursday March 22nd
1:00PM, Room 29, North Hall
The Echizen Paper Festival

Japanese Hand Papermaking in the 21st Century
This lecture will give an overview of the trends, practices, projects, and individuals that have the potential to impact the survival of the 1300-year tradition of Japanese hand papermaking.

With world and local economies in a period of prolonged stagnation, corporate and personal budgets continue to shrink, especially for "special" items such as handmade paper, and even in areas where such handmade items have always been truly indispensable, such as conservation. Dwindling sources for quality raw materials and tools further inhibit the continued development of the craft. However, there does continue to be a trickle of individuals who choose the papermaking life and fight for the craft's survival. This talk will address the reasons for both hope and despair for the future of the craft.

The Echizen Paper Festival
This presentation will be about the Deity and Washi Festival, held in reverence of the only papermaking deity in Japan. The festival has been held every year in the papermaking region of Echizen for more than 1300 years. A brief explanation of the three-day event, including the climactic final day "battle," will be presented using video and photos. A Q&A session will  follow.

Paul Denhoed lives in Japan, where he is investigating the techniques and culture of Japanese hand papermaking. In Japan he has studied with Richard Flavin, Abe Shinichiro, and Imai Hiroaki. He earned his MFA in Design from the University of Iowa, and Graduate Certificate from the University of Iowa Center for the Book. He is currently teaching at Asia University in Tokyo.