Swiss Cinema Days – “Teruko Yokoi – Art in the Making”

The documentary ”Teruko Yokoi – Art in the Making,” directed and produced by Kuniko Satonobu Spirig, an art historian, filmmaker, and journalist based in Switzerland, was screened on October 23, 2024, at the residence of the Swiss Ambassador. The event was part of the “Swiss Vitality Days” series commemorating the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Japan. The screening featured a special appearance by the director, who engaged with attendees afterward.

The documentary traces Yokoi’s artistic journey, highlighting her unique creative style and her experiences as a Japanese female artist in Europe and America. The audience was captivated by the parallel stories of Yokoi’s life and the director’s own experiences, as both artists explored the challenges and possibilities of being a Japanese woman in the Western art world.

Through a refined art historical lens, Satonobu brings Yokoi’s abstract works to vivid life, providing a nuanced exploration of their depth and impact. The audience was captivated by both the director’s insightful analysis and the film’s striking portrayal of Yokoi’s artistry.

Following the screening, a talk session was held, moderated by Swiss art critic Ingrid Dubach - Lemainque. The discussion delved into the artistic significance of Yokoi’s work, as well as the connection between Satonobu and Yokoi, the circumstances that led to the creation of the documentary, and parallels between the lives of the two Japanese women as they navigated life in Switzerland. The audience responded with a deep sense of empathy, finding resonance with the shared experiences discussed.

Additionally, Satonobu’s detailed critique of Teruko Yokoi’s art will be featured in her upcoming book Teruko Yokoi – Art in the Making, set to be published by Sheidegger & Spiess in Europe on December 5, 2024, and in Japan in late January 2025. This much-anticipated release promises to offer readers an even deeper dive into Yokoi’s vibrant world, providing fresh perspectives and insights that art lovers won’t want to miss.

For more information on future screenings, book releases, and updates on Kuniko Satonobu Spirig’s activities, please visit the official website.

“Teruko Yokoi – Art in the Making” by Kuniko Satonobu Spirig

Switzerland – 2024 - Color – 50 minutes – O.V. English – subtitle: English, French, German, Japanese

Synopsis
Teruko Yokoi (1924 – 2020) was a Swiss-Japanese artist who lived in Bern. At the age of 95, Kunstmuseum Bern held her first retrospective which was a long-held dream of hers. She died a few weeks after its closure. This film is the portrait of a determined female artist who persevered despite the difficulties of being a foreigner, a single mother, and an artist in the shadow of her famous ex-husband. In parallel, the film shows the fascinating methods of her abstract painting. Inspired by memories of her youth in Japan, Yokoi applied Japanese techniques (like calligraphy or empty space) to the genre of abstract expressionism. Link to the film website

Director & Producer: Kuniko Satonobu Spirig
Kuniko Satonobu Spirig is a Swiss-Japanese art historian, filmmaker and journalist, living in Switzerland. She made this documentary as her second film after having worked as co-director for a documentary film about the Prix de Lausanne (International ballet competition) for NHK. More information

Screening and director talk of “Teruko Yokoi – Art in the Making”

●Date:  Wednesday, October 23, 2024
●Venue: Swiss Ambassador’s Residence (5-9-12 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
●Program:
  18:00   Doors open
  18:30   Welcome address by Roger Dubach, Ambassador-Designate
  18:35   Screening
  19:25   Director Talk by Kuniko Satonobu Spirig with Swiss Art Critic, Ingrid Dubach - Lemainque 
  20:00   Cocktail reception
●Language: English-Japanese (consecutive interpretation will be provided).

Sponsors of the Swiss Cinema Days:

This event is part of the Swiss Vitality Days 2024, celebrating the 160th anniversary of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Japan, and takes place in the framework of Vitality.Swiss, Switzerland’s public diplomacy program on the road to Expo 2025 Osaka – Kansai.

SPONSORSHIP SWISS VITALITY DAYS｜