When learning what a Nengago was I was surprised to see what they were. I know they're not that common for Americans. I know a lot of Americans send out a Christmas/Holiday card but not a New Year's card. However, I find it super interesting that they send out New Year's cards that have more of a graphic of the animal rather than a photo of your family. I also find it super interesting how many companies cater to Japanese culture by being more print-oriented rather than American which is very digitalized and more online-based.
Before this Nengago project, I was working in a collaborative pair for a swap-a-thon, which is swapping a piece of work between the two of you multiple times. In one of the swaps, I had a spur-of-the-moment idea to do a green Chinese dragon flying. This made me think of the idea I wanted for the Nengago to be the same dragon. Also in Jan's Asian ceramics history class, we learned a lot about the Chinese dragon and how it was pictured. I remember seeing a lot of serious ideas surrounding the Chinese dragon and the dragon never really being playful. The green dragon I made for the swap-a-thon project was more of a "what if the dragon wasn't serious?" This made me think of a relaxing Dragon. But what was he relaxing with? I'm subscribed to one artist that I really enjoy and they made a daily vlog about their journey importing a Kotatsu and putting it together. It made me think about a dragon (whose body isn't made for a Kotatsu) chilling under one eating some food. The food I wanted to base off of Osechi Ryori. The main photo of Osechi Ryori I found while googling was a bowl dish similar to ramen though it had less broth in it. Though it may not be as noticeable in my piece, I like the idea of it being an easter egg for myself.
I'm really happy with the outcome of my Nengago and enjoy the simplistic form it takes.
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