Nabuaki Date is a Japanese artist who makes ukuleles out of parts of Japanese buildings that are to be demolished. Each house is documented through photographs and the parts for the ukulele are chosen. The finished ukulele is given to the owner of the house as a visual and acoustic embodiment of their former home.
The project was launched in April 2000 and since then 28 Ukuleles have been made.
“Their place we live, a house full of memories is set to be dismantled one day… The reason for the demolition differs in each case, however, the fact is, the house which was “sure to be there” will disappear without a trace, among the rush of moving and all the processes that come along with demolition. There is no time to be sentimental about it.”
Some of my favourites:
No 10 was made from Kasugauka High School. In particular, the blackboard from the music class, with the existing lines of tape marking the musical score wrapping around the front and back of the instrument.
No 3 consists of the timber from a post where the owner was allowed to stick stickers as a child.
Sentimental stuff, sure. But a nice idea expertly realised.
As always, more at my Flickr page.
October 10th, 2005 at 5:39 am
Sweet. I submitted this to boingboing.net - get ready for some serious traffic…
October 11th, 2005 at 9:09 am
Ukuleles made from demolished buildings
marcus says: “Japanese artist, Nabuaki Date, make ukuleles out of parts of soon to be demolished houses and buildings. The ukulele is then given to the owner of the house as a physical and acoustic embodiment of its memories and history. “They are b…
October 11th, 2005 at 3:08 pm
What an amazingly beautiful idea. Thank you for posting this and thanks to Rob for getting it on Boing Boing.
October 11th, 2005 at 3:25 pm
Yeah, thanks for the referral Rob!
October 12th, 2005 at 11:10 am
For MK and Mark Stewart…
October 14th, 2005 at 2:09 am
These are stunning! I just started to play the ukelele and these
are not only beautiful, the concept is wonderful. I love recycled
objects! Nice work!!! If I could buy one I would…
October 14th, 2005 at 7:28 am
Well Michelle, all you need is a house that needs demolishing…
October 14th, 2005 at 11:23 am
The childhood sticker uke makes me want to cry. This is fabulous art.
October 14th, 2005 at 8:57 pm
Amazing and Wonderful!
Malcolm Hecks. 2005.x.14.
December 15th, 2005 at 3:05 am
Amazing and Wonderful.
May 20th, 2006 at 1:26 am
I love it…..Thanks for saving history and memories in such a lovely way.
Joyce
www.alohayall.net
www.texasukefest.com
www.ukuleleuniverse.com
July 18th, 2006 at 9:43 am
car…
AUTONET009911 …