Granges-sur-Vologne, France
Aloha
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The project began with a deep dive into Bruyeres’ connection to Japanese-American soldiers, including interviews, music transcriptions, and a public reading of No-No Boy. While initial community engagement didn’t unfold as expected, a new direction emerged through collaboration with Marion Kieffer Rys and the “These Hawaiians are our heroes” project. Inspired by a song created by the local people as a tribute, I proposed editing a music video based on their creation. In August 2022, Andrew Matthews incorporated their photos and video alongside our materials to bring Aloha to life.
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Espace Saint-Cyprien, Toulouse, France
How to create an exhibition
Why do we continue organizing exhibitions in an era dominated by virtual images and the internet? This workshop guided participants in creating original exhibitions from their photography. Each participant focused on understanding the core of their work—its strength, intentions, and essence—and used these insights to shape their exhibition. Topics included selecting works, print size, medium choice, exhibition space, additional elements (sound, video), budgets, technical needs, collaboration, and public presentation. The weekend offered in-depth reflection on participants' photographic series, with individual and group discussions to enhance their potential for personal and collective exhibitions.
Pierre Budin Elementary School, Paris, France
Tigers, lions, dragons, dolphins, rising sun and beautiful moon shining
I was invited to visit an elementary school in Paris to help children write their invented names in Japanese. I spoke to the class about Japan and engaged in a dialogue with them. As a left-handed person, and knowing that Japanese calligraphy is traditionally written with the right hand, I wasn’t sure I could complete the task. However, I assured them I would try my best. I also asked if I could take their portraits alongside their invented names.
Chapon Kindergarten, Paris, France
Big scare
1. While walking in the woods, the little girl picks up mushrooms.
En se promenant dans les bois, la petite fille ramasse des champignons. |
2. In this distant wood, 3 ghosts arrive.
Dans ce bois lointain, 3 fantômes arrivent. |
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3. The ghosts scare the little girl.
Les fantômes font peur à la petite fille . |
4. a ghost gives a flower to the little girl.
un fantôme donne une fleur à la petite fille. |
5. the ghosts are all nice and they make a round with the little girl says "Thanks for the round, I'm going home."
les fantômes sont tous gentils et ils font une ronde avec la petite fille dit "Merci pour la ronde, je rentre chez moi".
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Example of a student's work
In 2009, I proposed a four-frame comic strip project to Micheline Tamachia, a teacher at Chapon Kindergarten in Paris (Ages 5-6). I worked with several student groups, ultimately focusing on one group’s work. This idea came from reading Tezuka Osamu’s book on comic structure. I’m grateful to Micheline for her dedication to education and openness. She created coloring books for the students to illustrate the project’s elements.
Story by Joel, Sylvie, Lila, and Neeleshe.
Text supervised by Myriam.
Photo treatment by Claude Vaissier.
Project concept and photos by Miki Nitadori.
Chapon Kindergarten, Paris, France
Sing & See
In 2017, Meli Devos, a teacher at Chapon Kindergarten in Paris (ages 4-6), asked me to introduce a Japanese song to her class. I chose one with onomatopoeia, and it became a hit, with many children singing it throughout the year. I suggested they visit my exhibition, where they were curious and engaged, discussing the artwork and sharing their thoughts. At the end, they performed the song, creating a touching moment, as if singing for the Japanese-American figures in my work. Thanks to Meli, I now incorporate singing into my workshops, especially with younger children, as it’s a great way to relax and bring joy.