UROP Project

Florida Samurai: Sculpture in Memoriam of Japanese Americans in Florida

Sculpture, Metalworking, Art, Asian American history, Japanese Diaspora

Research Mentor: Kea Kamiya, She/Her/Hers
Department, College, Affiliation: Studio Art , Fine Arts
Contact Email: ksk23a@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all Majors, though a Major in Art or History could be helpful
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable

Project Description

This project involves the creation of two approximately seven-foot sculptures memorializing Yetsu Kamiya and Masa Kamiya. They were a mother and daughter who lived in the Japanese American settlement of Yamato in what is now Delray Beach, Florida. The project requires creation of sculptures via welding, metalworking, painting, sewing, and other multimedia work. The structure of the sculpture will be welded steel in the shape of a koi with painted fabric panels sewn into the structure. The painted panels will be drawn from research surrounding the Yamato colony and the lives and experiences of these Japanese American women.

Research Tasks: Digitize resources, literature review, assistance with grinding and sanding, prepping canvases, measuring, applying for shows

Research tasks for this project would be separated into studio assignments and historic record assignments. The major historic records assignment would be to digitize paper journal entries from the early 1900s. These journals span many years and are dense with information. A digitized version of this resource would make it searchable and allow it to be secured in an additional form. Historic record assignments would also include searching interviews and online databases for information about Yamato, Masa, and Yetsu. Studio assignments would involve assisting with the creation of the sculptures. Tasks like assisting in mapping where the painted panels will be sewn in, assistance with grinding and sanding, prepping canvases, measuring, and applying for shows.


Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Typing, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Attention to detail, Comfortable online with database and online research, Willingness to learn and use power tools
Recommended:
Experience writing applications and writing about art, prior experience with power tools and basic art processes