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Activist Imagination: exploring and imagining the past, present and future of activism, the arts, and APA communities
Donna Keiko OzawaBio
For more information, visit www.donnaozawa.com and www.waribashi.org. Photo courtesy of the artist. Samples of artwork:
It lives here, The Waribashi Project: San Francisco (WPSF), detail of installation of 170,000+ used disposable chopsticks, video and sound, Kinokuniya Building, Japantown Center, San Francisco, CA 2005. Room dimensions: 31' x 18.5' x 10.5'; dimensions variable. The Waribashi Project received funding for 2005 from the Columbia and LEF Foundations. In addition to two exhibits, WPSF programs included artist talks, hands-on arts workshops, and the production of a project catalog. Crank Therapy, Sculptural prescription prototype - for various ailments as related to the bed, wood, wire, plastic, green gum, and hot glue, 2003. 6" x 5" x 3". Crank Therapy is a fictitious business in which I prescribe interactive sculpture that addresses viewers' ailments and worries. Through parody and humor, I work with visitors in individualized sessions to identify the parts for their sculptural prescription using a Bingo-based divination system and a collection of "catalogued" found objects. I create the sculpture on the spot with selected objects and pre-fabricated parts. The viewer receives an interactive sculptural prescription in exchange for a small fee and playing along with the illusion of treatment. Despite the light-heartedness of this overt parody, "patients" have reported that Crank Therapy actually works!" Because of the personal interaction that the "patient" has with the object and the metaphorical nature of the prescription ingredients, the sculpture has an unexpected power.
What the Social Classes Owe Each Other, found book, metal, gel medium, 2001. 7" x 4 1/2" x 1".
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Donna Keiko Ozawa is a native San Franciscan living in Berkeley with an Oakland studio. Her work is primarily sculpture and installation which include kinetic and viewer-activated sculpture, politically-inspired work and art with recycled and found materials. Her work has been exhibited in Northern California, Chicago, Baltimore and Tokyo, Japan. Prior to receiving her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997, she worked as a community organizer and youth advocate for over seven years. Since graduate school, Ozawa has worked as a stagehand, museum preparator, and art and environmental educator. She is also a drummer and electric bassist gigging with local bands. 
