Hawaii and Leis — Annette H. Mann

In 2012 I traveled to Hawaii to participate at the HICE conference (Hawaiian International Conference for Education) where I presented a paper on the everyday work of art. It had been the first time to talk about this topic in public, which is very close to my heart. My dear friend Roy Tamashiro whom I had met the year before in Barcelona on a conference for Museums for Peace and who is an unstoppable peace activist (in the kindest way) had invited me to join his panel. The stay became an unforgettable experience.

Roy being Hawaiian of Japanese origin became my guide for the few weeks in early January, during which I could discover many special places of the paradise islands Oahu, Big Island and Kawaii. I was also fortunate to meet the extraordinary Japanese painter and activist Mayumi Oda. Next to this tiny woman I felt even miniscule. She is a true woman in the powerful, earthly and sensitive sense. Needless to say, my life changed after this travel. Back in Brussels I organized an exhibition “Bowls for Peace” with three ceramic artists and created “Leis for Peace”, inspired by the Flower garlands, which are offered in Hawaii to honor people and events.

These Leis became a mindful practice for me, inscribing each paper circle with intentional words, cutting one by one with small nail scissors and crafting them into a paper Lei.

I am still making paper Leis for special occasions - marriage, special birthdays and life endings - or beginnings. It is a “practice” and almost a legacy for which I feel deep gratitude.