On Dec. 10th, 2017, the day of the live calligraphy performance, I awoke to find Bergisch Gladbach covered in snow. The trains had stopped, the roads were empty, and what was normally a twenty-five minute drive to the gallery took me two-hours. I didn't expect anyone to brave the weather but as I prepared for the performance, a steady stream of friends and visitors arrived in good spirits. Inspired by the beauty of the virgin snow, I decided to use it as a kind of canvas. With 4 liters of Sumi-ink and a handmade brush made from torn bed-sheets I created a 20 meter long calligraphy work with the kanji characters "Sai-kakusei/Re-awkening." After the performance, everyone went inside to warm up and celebrate the experience. It lasted one night. By the following morning, a heavy rain had washed away all traces. I called it "Black Fireworks."
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