What We Do!
What do we do? That's a question we often receive and find ourselves challenged to fit into a category. Our work is so specific that it defies a simple Google search. To sum it up in as concise a manner as possible, it would be that we primarily are interactive performance entertainment. To put it more specifically, we provide a "Unique Japanese Party Art Entertainment Service" as live entertainers, that specialize in "Japanese Calligraphy Name Interpretation Art". It is definitely a mouthful and can be difficult to understand without experiencing it firsthand. So we welcome you to come join us at one of our shows to see for yourself!
Our Method!
Our artist, Kei Murakami, will take your name and break it down into its syllables and interpret them, not just translate them, into Japanese, based on your personality. Usually we do this with Kanji, one of the four Japanese alphabets, that consists of more than 10,000 ideograms. Each Kanji represents a singular idea or concept beyond its phonetic symbol. Kei takes this further by choosing from this massive reservoir, hundreds of ways to write a single syllable and chooses the symbols that best match and represent who you are as a person.
She then paints your interpreted name into a beautiful work of art using colors and design of your choice. The magic of this is that it is an artistic snapshot of who you are at that specific time and place. Should we see you at another time or place, you may have grown, changed and developed, as well as do. Life is, after all, always in flux. It is up to you at that point whether you'd like a newly reflected name worked into a new piece, or the name already given to you.
Why We Do it!
As our company namesake suggests, we do it for the smiles! Kei and I were having a deep philosophical conversation about life one evening, when it came around to the topic of our purpose as a company and how her life's work impacts the lives of other people. She said to me how she could care less about the art. How meaningless it all could be. Pointless and obscure even. That is, until the moment she sees the spark of brightness on someones face when they look upon what she created for them. All of it meaningless, until that pure expression of happiness that touches someone and brings purpose to their life and her work.
So why does she do it? Why have we decided to dedicate our lives to a company with such a fun name? Well, it says all. We're a factory of smiles. Our medium just happens to be Japanese calligraphy. Without the wonderful people who come to our shows and experience what Kei does first hand, our labors are pointless. There are any number of artists out there with artwork that will move you in this way or that, or make you think or consider. But that's not us. Our goal is to bring smiles and happiness to the faces of people who had no idea what they're in for when they sit down with us.
When We Do It!
As often as possible! We post updates on our Instagram account, Google Business listing and here on our website, all our upcoming shows that are open to the public. We hope that you can make it and be there to experience it firsthand. A picture of a moment of joy can still elicit joy, but there is something else entirely to be the one in that living moment. Even in the presence of a moment, viewing someone else's live experience. To see and feel the whirlwind of emotion that takes over as some people open their hearts. A raw honesty that you may have never felt or seen before, that a picture only captures a two-dimensional imprint of.â
How We Do It!
You may find it surprising that it is not uncommon that we have have at nearly every show at least one guest that breaks down in tears as they open up about themselves or a loved one, allowing openness and compassion to wash over and lighten their hearts while imbuing the artwork created with such emotion.
While our primary focus is on smiles, sometimes we all need to go through tears to reach that state of mind. Kei has a knack of perception and empathy that can sometimes catch guests off-guard in a cross-sectioned state of amazement and vulnerability which can enhance this emotional state of mind. Some have openly called it clairvoyance or some kind of spiritual connection, but we assure you it is only a matter of perception and paying close attention to what is present. Kei opens up with all her senses to take in everything a person has to offer, just as we welcome our guests to open up and pour their heart out with everything they are. In this way, we are able to create what we do.
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So please, come join us at one of our many live events and experience what a unique talent Kei has to offer that transcends the medium with which we work. There is something above and beyond the translation and interpretation. Beyond the paper, the paint and even the kanji. It is a truly connective experience with not just Kei, but with yourself, and perhaps if making it for a loved one, with them as well.
As serious and deep as this all sounds, we love to have fun while doing it! So once again, we bid you welcome and invite you and your loved ones to come see us. Have a drink and sit with us. Unload your burdens. Let us transcribe your personality and your life, to distill it into a work of art that reflects all of who you are.
We hope to see you soon!
Gavin & Kei!