michael lambe's scrapbook

It finally stopped raining yesterday, so Philippe and I took a stroll round Gion Matsuri . Here’s some more pictures for ya:

Anyway, we stumbled upon this local community gig where they were all piping tootley-tootley music or banging things, or prancing about and waving sticks around, so I took a wee video of it and here it is:

And then after that Philippe blagged us into the community party, and we had free beers and shochu… (Well almost free because I had to endure Philippe blathering on about the importance of “connections” for about an hour…) And then I took a video of pretty much the same routine but from the inside, looking out. And here it is:

I spoke to my good friend Philippe last night and asked him if he would be working at the Chionji fleamarket today. “Oh, yes” says he. “Good,” I said, “I’ll come and take some pictures of you for the new website.” You see for the past couple of years Philippe has been running his own little stall there every month, selling his pies, pastries and preserves. Just the sort of thing I want to put on my new site: www.deepkyoto.com.

However, what Philippe forgot to tell me was that he doesn’t run his own stall anymore. He is in fact working part-time at the bread-stall which is owned by my ex-girlfriend’s previous boyfriend and with whom I share strong feelings of mutual antipathy. Much as I love Philippe, he really is a berk sometimes. Anyway, fortuitously, it wasn’t a completely wasted journey as I bumped into my friend the artist Rie Mandala and was able to do a piece on her instead. And you can read that here: Deep Kyoto.

Apologies for late bloggage – I have been a bit down. Not due to any seasonal affective disorder or out like that but simply and predictably due to work. The work which disappoints and ceaselessly crushes the soul. However, I won’t go on about that. This is a place for happy things.

Since I last wrote, many things have happened. Old Fukushima buddy Paul Sparks (now in Tokyo) has informed me that there will be yet another Beer Tasting (BT11 I believe) this year on March 10th (which had me rubbing my hands together and cackling with glee). Young Kenta-kun (formerly brother-in-rock and bass player in the legendary machine-gun-rock-band Beretta) has been in touch to tell me that he finally has a girlfriend (which had me and several choirs of angels breathing huge sighs of relief – Congratulations Kenty!). And that lanky northern git Jonathan Bond has been in touch after an interval of maybe 5 years to inform me that:

…Borough market is London’s oldest market. It was established onthe south bank of　the Thames when the Romans built the firstLondon Bridge and people have been trading on this site for over2000 years. it’s a beautiful undercover food marketand a truly wonderful part of London’s history.Some bright spark has decided to expand the railway line runningthrough the roof of the market, which will also involve knockingdown 23 of the beautiful listed and unlisted buildings in theclosely surrounding area.

They already have planning permission, but are waiting fundingand there is a strong local campaign to put a stop to it.

If you know and love the market in its present state, please signthe petition to prevent this from happening. The plans, photographsand the petition are on the following site: http://www.sabmac.co.uk

Which had me wondering why people in high places never seem to value the things that are quite obviously the most important. It also had me wondering why I didn’t get a proper, personal message from old Bondy, to which he tersely (but quite fairly) replied:

After about five years of circulars from you I thought I’d start getting my own back .

So that told me.

Saturday night, HJ and I went to see our friend Motoko singing a wee bit of Mozart at the Kyoto Culture Museum. Philippe was also due to read some poetry by Paul Verlaine, which he was quite nervous about so I suggested filming the event and putting it on youtube. He then offered several words of encouragement, (something about my being born out of wedlock), so I took lots of pictures and a video and you can see the results below. Enjoy!

These are mostly pictures of Motoko’s performance. But there’s a couple of choice shots of Philippe stressing out:

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And now watch Philippe Goulier reading Verlaine to a crowd of uncomprehending Japanese:

So I popped round to Philippe’s today for a cup of tea, which is always a mistake if you have things to do. “Oh, I’ll just pop in for a few minutes,” I thought and before I knew it the day was done. Anyway, while I was there I took a few more snaps with my mobile phone of some of the better pieces for your delectation and (indeed) delight…

Good Morning Kyoto (It’s not a blurry photo, that’s the way he painted it…)

La Vieille ( I actually bought this one – Yes! I’m a buyer! – simply because it reminds me of Swampthing).
Kiyomizu
Uwasa (I like this one, but I can’t afford it…)
I thought this one was called Disassociation but for the time being it’s Puppet from Birth.


Motoko-san and another lady, whose name I forgot to catch were there admiring Philippe’s book of French pastries…

When in walked Eric and Rie…

And while we sipped tea and munched on cakes Eric said “Would anyone be interested in getting on the guest list for Michael Franti tomorrow night?” And so I’m going to see Spearhead again after a ten year interval – the last time was in Cambridge with Rik Abel and Matt Allen as I recall. Brilliant!
Now you should be able to see the video I posted to Youtube last night if you scroll down a wee bit and press play. For some reason I can’t see it on my computer but everyone else I’ve asked seems to have no problems at all. let me know if there’s a problem though and I’ll get right on it (i.e. ask Rik).

Philippe’s exhibition is going well, he’s had lots of visitors and even managed to sell four pieces. This however was the scene the night before it started when he realised he was “So not ready!”The piece he is standing besdie is called Uwasa which means “Gossip”. In his hands he is holding “La Vielle” and below that we can just about see “Disassociation”.
I can’t remember what this one is called but it looks like a Moonface to me.
This one is called “Solitude is Better”. Whenever people tell Philippe about their relationship problems he says the same thing: “You see! This is why I am single. Solitude is better.” And then: “No! Really! It’s true!”
To celebrate Philippe’s exhibition Mandala played a live set at his house. Mandala are left to right: Kou, Eric and Rie.
There’s not a lot of space inside for an audience so Philippe took out his windows and people watched from the street. It provided a nice frame for the show.
Be Ward from the band South was sitting in the genkan (entryway) adding his own vocal clicks, whirs and other primal utterances and thumping the heck out of the tatami floor.

Philippe Goulier’s exhibition will run until the 9th of October.

You can see more recent pictures on my Flickr site here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46253270@N00/

I will also soon be uploading a video of the show. Watch this space!

Just a reminder that my friend Philippe’s exhibition starts tomorrow.

Being a daft French berk he’s left his preparations till the last minute and so I’m off over to his house to help him frame some stuff. “I won’t sleep tonight” he says.

Well, the art is done – he just needs to tidy up a bit I think. I do hope people come.

He’s a nice chap our Philippe. Daft. But nice.

The blurry piece on the left (sorry; mobile phone picture) is of the Kanji for Kyoto (京都） stylised as a butterfly. Not bad, eh?

You can find details of how to get there on my previous posting here: http://mikeylambe.blogspot.com/2006/09/philippe-goulier-interview-part-3.html

The Ｆｒｅｎｃｈ artist Philippe Goulier (AKA: Mouhl Al Wahid) will have an exhibition of his works at his atelier in Kyoto from September 23rd to October 9th. This is the third and final part of a recent interview we had on MSN Messenger. Today we explore, in depth, the man called Mouhl…

michael: … a couple of silly questions: ok?
Mouhl Al Wahid: ok
michael: why do you always wear black?
Mouhl Al Wahid: eh eh… you noticed ?
michael: hahaha
Mouhl Al Wahid: well two very different reasons…

Mouhl Al Wahid: 1st : I am a fan of leiji matsumoto’s character, Captain Herlock. He’s a space pirate and always wears black and when you are a 6/7 years old kid…
michael: You want to be a space pirate!!!!
2nd reason?
(I can’t wait)

Mouhl Al Wahid: 2nd: This is very convenient, I don’t have to spend time to choose what I’m going to wear the next day… It’s all the same
michael: yeah, actually I think you only have one set of clothes
Mouhl Al Wahid: OK, I know what you want to hear as well…
michael: what?
Mouhl Al Wahid: eh eh
michael: ah – it hides the dirt right?
Mouhl Al Wahid: well, you can also wear black a bit longer than white and nobody will notice that you sweat a bit to much yesterday ah ah ah !!!!
michael: I notice
Mouhl Al Wahid: …. me too
no seriously, it is just easier and I am heavy metal fan for life, so I guess black is the right thing to wear
michael: next question: what music are you listening to right now?
(this is an of the moment interview)
Mouhl Al Wahid: ah ok !
nothing right now…
michael: hmmm… what’s playing in your mind?
Mouhl Al Wahid: lots of sad music like the one from Yann Tiersen, violin, sad piano,…
michael: send me a link
Mouhl Al Wahid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML4ffX4pvjk This is Yann Tiersen he is a genius
michael: thanks
Last silly question:
Mouhl Al Wahid: ok
michael: If a gypsy fortune-teller of phenomenal psychic ability in whom you had impeccable faith were to tell you that tomorrow you would be hit and killed by a red London number 12 Double-decker bus, what would be your final message to the world?
Mouhl Al Wahid: The most important is not death, it is what you do before it, Love each other !!!
For real !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
michael: haha – great
Mouhl Al Wahid: promise me you will check the link b4 you go to bed it is just 10 mins but… after that you will have a great night !
michael: I’m watching it now – it’s fantastic! Thanks…. Last proper question: how can people contact you or keep up to date with your work?
Mouhl Al Wahid: ok
I will do a website soon….
michael: sort it out mate!
Mouhl Al Wahid: otherwise they can contact me on earthplease@voila.fr or 075 541 5156 ( leave a message please )
michael: Right, ok thanks Philippe – once you get the website up I’ll put a link to it on my blog
Mouhl Al Wahid: cool, thanks a lot, enjoy Mr Tiersen’s music
… I think it was nice you’re a good interviewer, REALLY !
michael: haha
Mouhl Al Wahid: work tomorrow ?
michael: yep better go to bed soon…
Mouhl Al Wahid: me too actually – good night
michael: oyasuminasai

Philippe Goulier (AKA: Mouhl Al Wahid) will have an exhibition of his works at his atelier in Kyoto from September 23rd to October 9th, 11:00 – 19:00. Entrance is free and refreshments will also be available on weekends. To get there, walk north from Gojo Bridge along Kawabata Street and take the first turning to the right. Keep walking for about five minutes, you will see a red katakana サウナ sign on your left, turn left again and enter the first machiya lane on your left. Philippe’s house is at the bottom of the lane.

The Ｆｒｅｎｃｈ artist Philippe Goulier (AKA: Mouhl Al Wahid) will have an exhibition of his works at his atelier in Kyoto from September 23rd to October 9th. This is Part Two of a recent interview we had on MSN Messenger. Today he talks more about Japan and about his exhibition.

michael: Why are you in Kyoto anyway? What brought you here?
Mouhl Al Wahid: I won’t tell the official story…
But since I am a kid I have always been attracted by Asia, especially China, Korea, Japan…
Culture, religion, philosophy…
In London most of my friends where Japanese, Knowing I loved culture and History, they told me I should go to Kyoto… that was 2 and a half years ago
michael: now that you’re here, what do you like most about this city?
Mouhl Al Wahid: people
michael: great answer
why?
Mouhl Al Wahid: Because I am not japanese
Once my Go game teacher told me : ” Go game is not just a game, if you understand this game, then you will understand Japan ”. And when you realise how complex is that game… you just can fall in love with the people
paradoxical, complexity
everyday I wake up thinking I understand their behaviour, and everynight I go to bed knowing that, NO I will never understand
michael: hahaha
Mouhl Al Wahid: everyday is a new experience, GREAT !
don’t you think so ?
this is why they are beautiful
2 worlds
michael: Yeah, I guess I like the feeling of something new every day… that’s why Korea was so fresh and exciting for me this summer…. anyway… Tell me about the house you are living in now. It’s an interesting place right?

Mouhl Al Wahid: I moved there in November last year, many other residents are like me, creative people. …and the landlord is nice and comprehensive ( but kyoto people , you never know really )
it’s a very narrow street with 100 years old machiyas
michael: And that’s where you are going to hold your next exhibition so can you say something about that?
Mouhl Al Wahid: I have decided to do it at home, of course it is a small place and I won’t be able to show all of my stuff, but it’s a good opportunity to make this street a social place.
So people who come to see my work might want to see the work of the other residents
it will be on th 23rd of september until 9th of October – 11:00 to 19:00

michael: does the exhibition have a theme?
Mouhl Al Wahid: The theme is Kyoto.
Things I think I’ll remember of my stay here when I am old…

To be continued…

Philippe’s upcoming exhibition. will be held at his atelier north of Gojo from September 23rd to October 9th　- 11:00 to 19:00

(See previous post for directions on how to get there.)

Perhaps you have seen him on the streets of Kyoto, or haunting the cafes and bars. Burgundian, bearded, black-clad and oft beturbaned, Philippe Goulier (AKA: Mouhl Al Wahid) is an artist, craftsman, cook and teacher. He also happens to be a very fine friend. Later this month he will be holding an exhibition of his work at his atelier north of Gojo. The other night I interviewed him on MSN Messenger about his background…

michael: Right, first question: I have to ask you, why “Mouhl Al Wahid”?
Mouhl Al Wahid: eh eh
michael: … why did you choose this name for yourself?
Mouhl Al Wahid: the story is quite long… back in the days. I was maybe 10 years old
michael: go on
Mouhl Al Wahid: Well mouhl…
In french Moule means mussels, it was given to me as a nickname when I was a boy scout
michael: because?
Mouhl Al Wahid: At that time I used to be a gymnast, training everyday, lots of crying and suffering from this nazi teacher.　I went to the french championship actually ! OHHH such a long time ago
so I was VERY supple these days, and as you know a mussel is an animal that can bend and close itself one part onto another. Like the kind of things I used to do when I was supple ( legs behind the head, … )
michael: oh right…. What about “Al Wahid”?
Mouhl Al Wahid: Al wahid is one of the 99 names of god
michael: so … you are God?
Mouhl Al Wahid: no, but it means the one, the all inclusive, the indivisible
michael: the indivisible mussel?
Mouhl Al Wahid: I liked this idea of “indivisible”. It doesn’t matter if I am right or wrong, I am who I am, I won’t change my mind about many things even though I know some of my points of views are immature, utopian, or stupid… I am indivisible; the soul, spirit, beliefs…
michael: cool.
next question
Mouhl Al Wahid: ok

michael: Can you tell me briefly about your background as an artist?
Mouhl Al Wahid: sure
My grand dad was doing some wood work, and my dad too is always making things. Since I’m a child I have been in this kind of craftsman environment… I loved it from the start
michael: go on
Mouhl Al Wahid: I started to draw since a very young age, and never stopped. In school I was the best of my class
michael: then…
Mouhl Al Wahid: Then I studied for 1 year in les beaux-arts in my hometown… but I found it very boring and useless so I quit…
and then I did some works for cafes, restaurants…

michael: what kind of works…?
Mouhl Al Wahid: A few years ago I made the design of a bar in south korea, and some friend’s apartment design in London and France
And I never got paid for anything
michael: haha
Mouhl Al Wahid: Shame isn’t it !
michael: you need some business sense to go along with your artistic talents huh?
what fields of art do you specialise in?
Mouhl Al Wahid: Well, I’m very curious, these days I love traditional ink paintings, I started oil paintings too. I like to work with natural products such as coffee, wine, soil…
I am more and more interested in volumes…
michael: volumes?
Mouhl Al Wahid: Sculptures, 3D objects. Painting is great but at the end of the day it’s always flat !
I will have some potteries for my exhibition
I designed them and a friend is making them

michael: ah yes the exhibition – I want to talk about that later…. can you tell me something about previous exhibitions?
Mouhl Al Wahid: As a wannabe artist, I have to admit that I am a beginner. Throughout these years in different countries I have always given what I did to my friends or family
michael: yeah, you’ve given some stuff to me too
Mouhl Al Wahid: I like to give to the people I like.
As a seller it all started in Kyoto in 2004
michael: Who are your typical customers?
Mouhl Al Wahid: I’m still waiting to have customers eh eh !!
michael: haha… so as a struggling artist in Kyoto – how do you earn your keep?
… your living? …your crust? …your daily bread?
Mouhl Al Wahid: Mostly I teach French, I sell food on local markets, and sometimes I teach how to cook french patisserie
michael: oh you teach cooking too? I didn’t know that…
Mouhl Al Wahid: surviving quoi !

Philippe has a popular food stall selling cakes, pies and preserves at the “Tezukuri-ichi” (Home-made Market) at Chionji, just north of Hyakumanben on the 15th of every month.
In Part Two of this interview we will talk more about Japan and about Philippe’s upcoming exhibition.
The exhibition will be held at his atelier north of Gojo from September 23rd to October 9th　- 11:00 to 19:00

To get there: walk north from Gojo Bridge along Kawabata Street and take the first turning to the right. Keep walking for about five minutes, you will see a red katakana サウナ sign on your left, turn left again and enter the first machiya lane on your left. Philippe’s house is at the bottom of the lane.

Last night on Messenger with Philippe Goulier (aka: Mouhl Al Wahid):

michael :
hey – I wanna do a feature on you on my blog using pictures from your old website? ok?

Mouhl Al Wahid :
ok no problems thanks for asking

michael :
thing is I’d like to interview you

right now

on messenger

and then copy/paste it into my blog

Mouhl Al Wahid:
interview ??

michael :
yeah – I ask a bunch of questions – you answer as you like – and I post it on my blog – as an intro to you… you have a exhibition coming up – more publicity dude

Mouhl Al Wahid :
ahhhh that’s a great idea, thanks a lot

michael :
ok shall we begin?

Mouhl Al Wahid :
Hai !
…I’m kind of shy you know !

michael :
don’t worry… I can edit out anything embarrassing

Mouhl Al Wahid :
ok let’s go

Who is Philippe Goulier? What is he exhibiting? Why am I interviewing him? Find out more in the next installment of THE PHILIPPE GOULIER INTERVIEW!!!