LECTURE BY JAPANESE PAPER SOMMELIER YOSHINAO SUGIHARA

Oct 21, 2019

6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: CHI-KA

Seats are on a first come first serve basis.

Yoshinao Sugihara, the 10th-generation successor of a traditional paper wholesaler in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture — one of Japan’s most prominent washi-producing areas — has been exploring innovative ways to use washi for the modern age. He has taken the 1500 old traditional craft of Japanese paper making, to entirely new heights. Known as ’the washi sommelier,’ his expertise lies in selecting the kind of paper and artisan required to manifest the needs of his architect and designer clients. His work has attained international acclaim, won awards and led to his involvement in hundreds of lighting and artwork projects at hotels and restaurants in Japan and overseas. With Sugihara’s vast experience working with a wide network of highly creative craftsmen, designers and artists, the outcomes have been surprising; expressing previously unimagined uses and applications of the Echizen-washi paper form. 

Alongside Sugihara’s exhibition, a selection of paper products will also be on display.

GEISHA CULTURE REVEALED, THROUGH THE EYES OF SAYUKI - THE FIRST FOREIGN GEISHA

March 28, 2019

7:30pm - 9:45pm
Location: CHI-KA

CHI-KA has invited four geishas from Fukugawa, the oldest geisha district in Tokyo, Japan, to visit Dubai and give us an up close and personal insight into their art form and way of life.

We are pleased to announce that we will have a special guest appearance on the night : SAYUKI, the first Westerner in the 400 year history to be accepted as a geisha. She made her geisha debut in 2007 in the Asakusa district of Tokyo under the name Sayuki (紗幸), and currently works in the Fukagawa district, in Tokyo.

She will be joined by 3 of her Japanese geisha colleagues.

Sayuki is specialized in social anthropology, and will be giving a 45min lecture on the art of geisha culture, including her personal journey. Following Sayuki’s talk, the audience will have the rare opportunity to witness a 45min preparation session, where 2 Japanese geishas will have their iconic white make-up applied, followed by the rest of their beauty routine, and exquisite kimono wearing / obi-belt tying. The final act will be a performance demonstration.

Audience members will be able to observe and converse with the geishas. Pictures will be permitted.

PROGRAM IS AS FOLLOWS:

* LECTURE (with Q&A) by SAYUKI
* GEISHA PREPARATION (ritual of iconic hair, make-up and kimono dressing)
* PERFORMANCE DEMONSTRATION

A contribution of AED195 is required to secure your seat.
This includes:
* 2 hour program with 4 geishas
* Asian savoury and sweet canapés with green tea

SPACES ARE LIMITED. RSVP BOOKING IS REQUIRED.
+971507445911 / studio@chikaspace.com

Asian canapes and sweets will be served by SOCIETY CAFE & LOUNGE. http://www.societydxb.com/

Bao sliders, bulgogi chicken, sesame cucumber
Sashimi tuna pot
Veggie rice wrapper, peanut satay
Miso baked salmon & pickled spinach
Green tea, adzuki bean swiss roll
Passion fruit and chocolate financier
Yuzu Tofu cheesecake

WE SEE BRIDGES

A cultural evening curated by CHI-KA, as part of SIKKA Art Fair

20 March, 2019
Location: Sikka, Al Fahidi Heritage Area, Dubai / Bastakiya

5–6:30pm : Music on stage

6:30–7pm : Prayer time

7-7:30pm : SIKKA LIVE TALK - CELEBRATING OTHERS : A CREATIVE PATH TO A CIVILIZATION OF TOLERANCE AND FRATERNITY

7:45-8:15pm : Prayer time

8:15-8:25pm : KHARSHA TAIKO Drummers (Live performance)

8:35-9:15pm : ‘Music from the Other World’

9:15-10pm : MOSAIK (Live performance)

READ MORE

THE HENNA SESSIONS 1.0

RAMADAN WORKSHOP AT CHI-KA

11 June 2018 - 8pm
Location: CHI-KA

This workshop offers participants a hands-on contemporary spin on bedouin henna (Arabic: حِنَّاء‎). And just in time for Eid.

Henna has been used since antiquity to dye skin, hair and fingernails, as well as fabrics including silk, wool and leather. In this workshop we take a look at some excellent examples from the desert areas of Western Sahara to the Arabian Peninsula. We propose a comeback for certain patterns and a new interpretation of others, stretching our henna imagination further by introducing elements from more distant cultures, such as the Japanese. 

You will be guided in creating your own bedouin-inspired design for the hands, or you may choose from a selection of patterns discussed on the day. Henna artists will be present to apply your design from the workshop.  

Fee: AED50 - Workshop & henna application (per hand) 

Pre-booking is required (studio@chikaspace.com)

This workshop will be led by Dr. Azra Khamissa, a Dubai based Canadian/South-African chiropractor and designer. Her henna patterns have been recognised for their supreme originality and are currently #trending in Dubai. #thehennaarchive

OPEN TENT, 2017 - RAMADAN POP UP RESTAURANT

JAPANESE/ARABIC IFTAR & SUHOOR NIGHTS

OPEN TENT is a new Ramadan iftar and suhoor concept that blends Japanese and Arabic cuisine, contemporary design and cultural sensibility. This month-long, carefully-crafted culinary project is organised by CHI-KA, an Alserkal Avenue-based kimono shop and art space, and is held in partnership with Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors

Expressing universal values of cultural tolerance, compassion, creativity and community building, OPEN TENT is a welcoming space, bringing together people from all walks of life. Surrounded by contemporary minimalist Japanese decor, bonsai gardens, Arabic calligraphy murals and live oud, residents and visitors are invited to break fast over iftar and enjoy suhoor with friends and family.

A number of activities and workshops were held over the entire month of Ramadan, including tea ceremony, bonsai tree workshops, origami, games and more. All are complementary upon entry. Both adults and children are welcome to participate. 

The 'Muzicã Without Frontiers Vol 2 - From Japan to Dubai' mix is now available for your listening! Specially crafted for CHI-KA by Nico de Transylvania following our in-house Listening Party on December 17th. Enjoy the mix, it will take on a journey around the world, from Japan to Dubai.

DANCE PERFORMANCE

Contemporary dance 'Time is Passing' by Mariko Wada

3mins

Date: 27 January, 2017
Time: 7:35pm sharp
Location: CHI-KA

Mariko studied ballet with renowned dancer and teacher A. Egawa in Tokyo, Japan, after which she relocated to Paris to learn contemporary dance. She won 1st prize for Synodales choreography in Sens (France), and danced with The Ariadone Company in Bordeaux (France). Mariko is a certified dance teacher by the French government. In Dubai she teaches contemporary jazz dance and is a member of the of Dubai Dance Academy Group. 

MUSIC PERFORMANCE

Japanese Drumming Art of Taiko by Shoten Dubai Taiko Drummers

8mins

Date: 27 January, 2017
Time: 2:30pm and 7:30pm sharp
Location: CHI-KA

Featuring some of the largest and loudest drums in the world, Taiko is the traditional and ancient musical artform from Japan. Thought to have been originally introduced in Japan as early as the 6th century CE, Taiko have been used and played in a wide range of applications ranging from communication, military action, theatrical accompaniment, religious ceremonies, festivals and concert performances.

The locally-based drumming ensemble ‘Shoten’ (https://shotentaiko.com) comprises of musicians from a wide variety of musical backgrounds, including African, Middle Eastern, Western, modern percussion and classical music. 

FOR MORE INFO: 
+971504270617 / studio@chikaspace.com

Alserkal Avenue AL QUOZ ART FEST event page: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/1801029193451070/

CHI-KA  X  NICO DE TRANSILVANIA

December 17th, 2016 
Location: CHI-KA

LISTENING PARTY

Start | Saturday, December 17, 2016 - 5:30pm

CHI-KA ties up with Global DJ and curator of music and art events, Nico de Transilvania, bringing you a specially crafted set blending Middle Eastern and Japanese sounds. 

As part of Alserkal Avenue’s all-day weekend event, AREA 01, CHI-KA will be open this Fri / Sat 11am-9pm. Japanese fashion, art and design items will be available for sale.  

MORE ABOUT NICO DE TRANSILVANIA
Nico is known to take listeners on a journey, exploring an eclectic mix of music genres. She has headlined at music, film, and art events from the Secret Garden Party, Big Chill, and Bestival, to the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Art Dubai, Royal Academy of Arts, London fashion shows and film festivals in Reykjavik, Transilvania, BFI London and Belfast.