Year: 2021

Japanese Garden Project – Short Film

Two Aurovilians, Noel from the USA and Jyoti from Japan have started the Japanese garden project in Auroville Botanical gardens in 2015. This project is dedicated to the creation of a modern Japanese garden devoted to Peace. Although there was a shortage in funds they managed with in-kind donations and volunteers to start the project.It uses locally sourced plants and materials. They extensively chose recycled materials in order to contribute to sustainability that is aligned with Japanese garden making. Gradually they received more support from different parts of the world and, though the fundraising efforts of Noel they managed to manifest their dream to this present state.
Work is still ongoing and there is still lots of detail work to be done, but the garden is finally ready to welcome visitors.They wish this garden to be a living prayer for peace and harmony.

Nine Births

Acrylic on canvas
2021 / 153 x 123 cm (51x41cm each)

This work is an attempt to explore the essential geometry in form and number as a bridge of physics and meta-physics.
Each geometrical shape can be seen as a unique matrix of inherent creative force.
Many elements in the geometries are overlapping and shared, yet they are placed in specific order.
I consider these as the simple Mandalas (or a mirror) to explore the world of form and formlessness.

Below is my personal interpretations/introspection.

1) The Birth of One (non-birth)
One is the Existence that embraces the Whole at the same time complementary to Non-Existence. One that is ALL, One that is Zero.

2) The Birth of the Line
Two is the birth of relativity and distance. A line that is also a promise of the existence of Time.

3) The Birth of the Triangle
Three is the birth of depth and height. It also brings balance and harmony (Trinity, Satchidananda).

4) The Birth of the Square
Four is a concrete manifestation. Matter and solidity that is also a promise of constant destruction/disappearance in the world of time & space.

5) The Birth of the Pentagon
Five is a creative power. Body, fingers, flower petals and five fundamental elements were created to explore/manifest the power.

6) The Birth of the Hexagon
Six is the vessel of creation. Like cellular structure, petals, turtles and flower of life they are the symbol of immortality/eternity.  It is an essential basis of creative manifestation.

7) The Birth of the Heptagon
Seven is a mysterious number that is unique on its own and remains complementary to the rest of the other numbers/geometrical forms. Seven evokes Sunrise and its reflection on the sea.

8) The Birth of the Octagon
Eight is a completion of a cycle that contains the whole manifested world. 

9) The Birth of the Nonagon
Nine is a perfect imperfection in the manifested world. It is a promise to the great perfection.

White Mountain – 01 & 02

Directed & edited by Jyoti Naoki Eri
Snowboarding by Masashi Nishina
Videography by Yone film
Sound by Atomic Phantom
All rights reserved © Jyoti Naoki Eri / Atomic Phantom 2021

These videos are based on the director’s past experience of watching backcountry snowboarding videos and his friendship with these professional snowboarders who reside in Nagano, a deep mountain region in Japan.
It is not only the unique terrain nor the snow quality but, also their unique approach to this extreme sport that has made Japanese snowboarding so well known. Instead of focusing on technical tricks and self-satisfaction they focus on the relation with nature and self-awareness. Through this Japanese’s Animistic approach Jyoti has attempted to connect the relation between Snowboard and Yoga through this short film and music.
This short film is an experiment to express modern spirituality and animism.
The snowboarder Masashi Nishina in this film has visited in Auroville in 2019 for his mural art project in the bioregion.

Another Sea in the Sky – Video

Directed by Jyoti Naoki Eri
Poem by Jyoti Naoki Eri
Sound by Atomic Phantom
All rights reserved © Jyoti Naoki Eri / Atomic Phantom 2021

Another Sea in the Sky is an experimental short film based on the director’s poetry and music.
This poem originated in his childhood experience, when he was half awake in his dream experiencing that there is no boundary between the universe and the self, he saw himself transparent like a jellyfish.
He tried to elaborate this theme with visuals and music both recorded by himself. The isolated covid lockdown brought back his vivid memory of the experience and allowed him to recall and express it through this multi-media format.

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