We were extremely excited when we got chosen to do an Artist in Residence in Kyoto, Japan for three months.

In this residency we have three goals: to make fresh new work, to grow in our collaboration as an artist duo and to help save the traditional old Japanese houses: 'the Machiya'

New work
This residency will give us the opportunity to gather new inspiration, to experiment in a new environment and to focus purely on our work for three months straight. This will give a huge boost to our artistic development. It will expand our international network and will broaden our own horizons.

Collaboration
As sisters we grew up in an artistic family and both became designers/artists. We often wondered: 'why don't we collaborate more and combine our powers since we share lots of the same interests and our different skills can complement each other’. This is why we signed up together for the 'Kyoto Machiya Artist in Residence' program, in which we can explore the possibilities of our collaboration.

Machiya
A 'Machiya' is a traditional Japanese craftsmans house. We are privileged to live and work in one of these during the residency. A while ago we found out that these beautiful characteristic houses are being demolished daily. In modern Japan these houses are seen as old-fashioned and inefficient compared to modern concrete buildings. They also get demolished because the land where the Machiya is build on makes more money if they make a parking lot out of it. Our goal is to use the Machiya as the main theme for our new design/art project. This way we can create awareness about the preservation of this beautiful cultural heritage of Japan.

Our final work will be exhibited in galleries in both Kyoto and in Amsterdam.
But before this can all take place, we need your support! Japan is an expensive country and we have to finance our own project and stay. This is where you can make a difference by making a donation to our campaign.
We will keep you up to date and greatfully send you your rewards. Thanks to you this adventure will become amazing!

To give you an idea of what kind of work we make you can scroll down for some examples of our projects or check our websites for more work:

www.tjitskehemkes.com
www.itekehemkes.com

The Secret Sidewalk Story Street Survival Association (SSSSSA) project by Tjitske

During guided tours through different parts of Amsterdam surreal stories come to light about specific locations. Reality and fiction intertwine and show a magical parallel universe.

Mikkusu (project by Iteke)

This is one picture from a series of fabrics dessins that I designed, inspired on the contrast between the natural and digital phenomena. Photo: Lauren Hillebrandt.

Olla Vogala (project by Tjitske)

I developed a technique which mimics natural processes through physical actions, chemical reactions and color. In nature, fast processes lead to grow of fungus and over a long period to the creation of marble. Central in this way of working is the ongoing experiment. Like a virus, the psychedelic colored prints spread out like a skin over existing products and surfaces. They function as an optical drug to reach a euphoric state.

Weird Crazy Strange (project by Iteke)

A font created by combining an eclectic collection of doodles, hereby transforming 'useless sketches' into something useful as a font.

Leaf Army (project by Tjitske)

For art festival 'de Basis' at the former army base at Soesterberg, Holland, I was commissioned to design the outfits of the art guards.This resulted in a series of army uniforms dressed with a layer of transparent fabric.
Underneath was a layer consisting of real leaves: an organic camouflage print was created. At the badges on the uniforms the names of the exhibited artworks were embroidered.

Now/Here (project by Iteke)

Drawings made for a children's book. It's about getting lost in the nowhere although the fact remains you are always now and here. Being lost opens up the magical and surreal world around you.