There are different reasons why Koi fish keeping can be called an art. The art of Koi fish keeping is called thus because of its nature as an activity.
The art of Koi fish rises from the fact that it is a form of collecting. Finding different varieties of Koi fish and putting this in one collection is art. Trying to bring different varieties of Koi fish is art. Being able to track down the varieties and get them is art. Expressing the balance of life is art.
However, there are those who do not really deserve to call themselves artists. People who breed Koi fish irresponsibly and without regard for the ecosystem are not artists. Did you know that overpopulation of Koi fish in one area can render the waters in that area useless as a drinking supply? If Koi are allowed to overrun a body of water, their activity would make the water not even fit for herd animals.
Keeping of Koi fish is art because of the fact that you are trying to preserve life. You put together different elements of their ecosystem and bring these elements into a balance that actually supports lives. The keeping of Koi fish involves different elements such as water, food, filters, and other things that the Koi fish needs to stay alive. Like a painter, you bring these elements together into something that can be viewed as a work of art. You have to think of the different elements and how they fit together. You need to think about how one element should balance out the other.
Other than the artificial ecosystem, you also have to keep an eye on the different methods of feeding and the different varieties of food you need to give to the Koi fish. Art is distinguished by the pursuit of perfection. You try to create what in your sight is the best creation. You have a vision and you work towards that.
Putting together an artificial ecosystem can be just as profound and satisfying as composing a sonata or choreographing a dance. It can have just as much depth as writing a good novel or singing with a voice full of emotion.
Keeping Koi fish is art because of the fact that you need to be vigilant and persistent in breeding in order to get the perfect colors for your fish. Like a painter trying out shades in a pallet, a Koi keeper needs to choose the right fish to breed in order to manipulate the genetic pool of his pets. He also needs to know which Koi fish to introduce into the ecosystem in order to maintain the harmony within it.
Art is called art because it allows a person to express his or her feelings and come up with something that other people can appreciate. Koi keeping is an art if people do it for their own pleasure. However, it becomes a science if they do it as a means of living.
You see, this is how you separate art from science: Science is how we live, but art is what we live for.
The complexities of Koi fish keeping render it as both art and science. While involving genetics, it also requires the artist’s eye for color, symmetry and perfection. What you perceive as beautiful is perfect in your reality. Although you cannot know what is real and what is not, remember that even in dreams our choices matter.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Japanese Koi Fish Art: Tracing its Roots and Background
The Koi fish is by nature of a Chinese derivation but the propagation of the species had been widely adopted by the Japanese. This Japanese carp comes in various colors which are indeed appealing to the eyes. Most Japanese believe in the luck brought about by the Koi fish pet cared for in the homes as they greatly associate this kind of fish species with the goldfish. Through time, the Koi fish has been used in several applications such as in the world of tattooing and art fields.
When someone who is familiar with the phrase “Japanese fish art” gets to hear it being mentioned by anyone, the first thing that hits his mind is a vivid image of a Koi fish embodied in berets and wearing some paints onto their fins. Japanese Koi fish art is much popular in painting rather with that of the sculpture so the latter must be dropped out of the question. One of the processes that make the Japanese Koi fish art possible is called as the Gyotaku. It is all about the printmaking art that employs real Koi fish.
Literally, the term Gyotaku connotes “fish rubbing”. In its deeper sense, such procedure includes the step of painting a fish in whatever motion and direction and thus making an impression of that painted fish. With the exception of the part wherein a live and real fish is used, the Gyotaku is so much unlike of the wood block printing.
Bits and Pieces of Historical Background for the Japanese Koi Fish Art
The Gyotaku traces its roots back to the middle 1800s when some Japanese fishermen started creating impressions as their way of preserving the remarkable recordings of all their catches. It took some time before the people who were not involved in the fishing livelihood to take notice of all the artistic worthiness of those catch recordings. But then, the fact that the Japanese fishermen were indeed the pioneers and principal practitioners of the Gyotaku cannot be devoid of the credit.
There are innumerable challenges that confront anyone who is about to engage into the Japanese Koi fish art. One of which is the hardest effort of locating some fresh fish to be painted, not to mention that the fish can be expensive. The Japanese Koi fish art can be compared to the American sport wherein the fishermen mount the fish. The only exception of the Japanese mode as compared with the latter is that the fish can actually be eaten after going through with the Gyotaku print. In fact, there is one popular Japanese fishing magazine that sports an annual competition in the field of the largest fish catch. The judging is done by means of scrutinizing the Gyotaku made.
In a much wider scope, the Japanese Koi fish art has explored the artistic world of the students all over the world. Most of those individuals who take interest to perform a Gyotaku process on the Koi fish find the experience truly exhilarating. For one novice artist in the craft of Japanese Koi fish art, the challenges to face and the hindrances to be overcome are truly daunting. To make things inherently easier, there are already suppliers who had developed several lines and kinds of rubber Koi fish which are specifically designed for the printmaking process. This scheme may stir controversies most especially on the part of the purists. But for sure, the art teachers and some practical students dealing with the Japanese Koi fish art will be utterly grateful for such convenience.
When someone who is familiar with the phrase “Japanese fish art” gets to hear it being mentioned by anyone, the first thing that hits his mind is a vivid image of a Koi fish embodied in berets and wearing some paints onto their fins. Japanese Koi fish art is much popular in painting rather with that of the sculpture so the latter must be dropped out of the question. One of the processes that make the Japanese Koi fish art possible is called as the Gyotaku. It is all about the printmaking art that employs real Koi fish.
Literally, the term Gyotaku connotes “fish rubbing”. In its deeper sense, such procedure includes the step of painting a fish in whatever motion and direction and thus making an impression of that painted fish. With the exception of the part wherein a live and real fish is used, the Gyotaku is so much unlike of the wood block printing.
Bits and Pieces of Historical Background for the Japanese Koi Fish Art
The Gyotaku traces its roots back to the middle 1800s when some Japanese fishermen started creating impressions as their way of preserving the remarkable recordings of all their catches. It took some time before the people who were not involved in the fishing livelihood to take notice of all the artistic worthiness of those catch recordings. But then, the fact that the Japanese fishermen were indeed the pioneers and principal practitioners of the Gyotaku cannot be devoid of the credit.
There are innumerable challenges that confront anyone who is about to engage into the Japanese Koi fish art. One of which is the hardest effort of locating some fresh fish to be painted, not to mention that the fish can be expensive. The Japanese Koi fish art can be compared to the American sport wherein the fishermen mount the fish. The only exception of the Japanese mode as compared with the latter is that the fish can actually be eaten after going through with the Gyotaku print. In fact, there is one popular Japanese fishing magazine that sports an annual competition in the field of the largest fish catch. The judging is done by means of scrutinizing the Gyotaku made.
In a much wider scope, the Japanese Koi fish art has explored the artistic world of the students all over the world. Most of those individuals who take interest to perform a Gyotaku process on the Koi fish find the experience truly exhilarating. For one novice artist in the craft of Japanese Koi fish art, the challenges to face and the hindrances to be overcome are truly daunting. To make things inherently easier, there are already suppliers who had developed several lines and kinds of rubber Koi fish which are specifically designed for the printmaking process. This scheme may stir controversies most especially on the part of the purists. But for sure, the art teachers and some practical students dealing with the Japanese Koi fish art will be utterly grateful for such convenience.
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