at Bain St-Michel
ARAI Shi-ichi(Japan)
"Arigatou Beuys -Thank you Beuys"
ARAI said
When early 80's I was an art student, Joseph Beuys came to Japan for his big exhibition in Tokyo. Also he had some lectures. I attended one lecture among huge audience. After lecture many audience want to get his signature. I also was in line with them.
I got his signeture on my bag and was very happy!
Those days we disucussed very much that how we could make new art which could revolt our society like Joseph Beuys.
Then I met KONISHI Yasu. He studied under Joseph Beuys in Germany, and did performance that they cleand up street at May day in east Berlin with Joseph Beuys.
Also he did performances in Tokyo that he went to the gallery and sit on the floor. So he was well known and most artists hated him very much. Pepole thought he was a gonzo.
These days I forget Joseph Beuys. Now for me he is not so important like student days.
2 years ago I visited my Chinese artist friend Lin Bing in Beijing whom I respect very much and found a paperback book about Joseph Beuys in Chinese at his book shelf.
Bene (Benedicte Loichemol/right) spread butter and honey on photo copies of Joseph Beuys works from "Leve Sieht Beuys."
ARAI took one piece of them by chopsticks. And he put it with soy sauce and wasabi of Japanese horseradish. And put it in his mouth.
And said "Arigatou, Beuys" means "Thank you, Beuys" with Japanese style bow to the book of "Leve Sieht Beuys."
ARAI also wrote down important word of Joseph Beuys like "honey" in Japnese characters (not Chinese characters).
After 22 pieces inside his mouth and 22 bowings, ARAI could not continue.
So he stopped his doing.
ARAI Shi-ichi(Japan)
"Arigatou Beuys -Thank you Beuys"