The following messages are from supporters, writers, staff, and event participants.

Birdhouse Project - Efforts of Kyushu Sangyo University

Mr. Yasuhiko Isami (Full-time Lecturer, Kyushu Sangyo University) Japan

At Kyushu Sangyo University, we introduce the Birdhouse Project during our "professional seminar" class as a way to teach architecture and environmental education to students in their first semester of studying architecture. We also formed a research committee called Kyushu Sangyo Univ. Birdhouse Project as a spin-off activity where we create a birdhouse. In 2007, we held our first exhibition named "BIRTHDAY" during the Fukuoka City Art Festival. In 2008, we were awarded the silver and honorable mention awards during the Birdhouse Competition for Students in Shanghai. In the summer of 2009, we made "Endless Cube by Anilir Serkan" with high school students at the open campus. In the winter, we exhibited "STRAWHAT" during the Fukuoka City Art Festival..

Project over 'living space'

Kimiko Higo (BHP Assistant Director) Japan

I have been tired of receiving questions about BHP like "bow house?" "birdhouse project?" "what the heck is that?" for a good 10 years. Explaining the concept of BHP was simply difficult. However, as more time has passed, I feel more people understand the concept. An eminent potter Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883-1959) phrased the motto "zahen shiyu", which means everything around self is in a sense one's teacher and friend. When I give thought to the surrounding nature, I am awed by how much mother earth has indeed taught us many valuable lessons as well as comforting us by being a precious friend. For life itself is nurtured by nature, our living space also needs to be something that reflects this precious resource. Keeping this in mind, the birdhouses created by participants from all over the world constantly give us proof of what a free mind can accomplish and discover. I will continuously relay the essence of their messages.

Significance of the Birdhouse Project

Ryo Nagai (Landscaper) Japan

I have been participating in BHP through my friend Mr. Higuchi. My first work with the project involved photographing the birdhouses using the magnificent backdrop of Utah, United States. Since my casual participation many years ago, I am now a firm believer of this project after seeing and touching these birdhouses created by world class designers and understanding the concept behind each work. It is also a great source of pleasure for me to affect many people through my photographs. Man can emulate nature but cannot create nature. Man needs to co-exist with nature.

Starting from a Word

By Mr. Shuichi Hashimoto (staff/graphic designer) Japan

Mobilized by the keyword Birdhouse, people come along, conversation flows, action is taken, suggestions are proposed, new values evolve, messages are forwarded, technology develops, science progresses, art is born, way of living is renewed, and new style prevails. With affirmations of all kinds and absent of any negativity, this project with the theme of environment and art intertwined with a twist is interestingly attractive, unlike other existing conventional social organizations with similar ideas.
Ever since I volunteered to set up their homepage 10 years ago, I have participated in BHP. I also attend their workshops and video productions. The project is in a constant state of motion, changing shape accordingly to the visions proposed by people involved at that moment. Such unknown factor of flexibility makes for a very interesting
experience.

Sophie Chie Ugumori /New York, USA

It has been 15 years since I began volunteering for BHP. I have been involved in holding in trust the birdhouses received from museum architects and yacht designers in NY; attending the LOHAS exhibition in Tokyo; and assisting photo shoots at White Sands National Park in New Mexico. These experiences have allowed me to appreciate the birdhouses in their actual presence and have profoundly affected my view of the BHP as not only an art form but an environmental effort. It is therefore my great pleasure to witness the BHP expand worldwide and the dream towards a better Earth shared by more people. I find it most appropriate that the BHP open an exhibition at the Modern Museum of Art in New York (MOMA), and hope that in the near future such an event will come to pass.

Significance of Birdhouse Project

Aya Takagi (Staff) Japan

At first, my participation with BHP was by accident.
Once I got involved, I kept finding one charming aspect of BHP after another!
The biggest attraction is that many people from different genre are working together.
Though my contribution may be small, I will continue to support this project that has helped me grow personally as well.

Significance of the Birdhouse Project

By Ms. Mari Sakurai (staff) Japan

The Birdhouse Project does not intend to take direct action on environmental issues; rather it forces the observer to be inspired and challenged to think outside the box. For example, the birdhouse created by Andrea Burundi is structured as double acrylic aquariums. A goldfish swims outside the birdhouse. This is shocking work to many who see it. At first glance, it is beautiful but many viewers feel sorry for the bird and reject it. However, if this birdhouse can create pause long enough in the viewer to contemplate their positive and negative impact on the environment, then this birdhouse would be considered a success. An additional aim of the Birdhouse Project would be to raise awareness among designers and creators of artificial goods worldwide about their duties and responsibilities towards the environment.

Evolving Project

Kenshi Higo (Graphic Designer) Japan

The Birdhouse Project is an ever evolving project. It will transform itself by the inspirations of the creators and the fun part is that the project itself has no idea where or how it will progress

Environmental Issues

Tokuko Masa

There are many proposals out there that emphasize the negative impact we have had on our environment. The BHP stands out by focusing on what we can do in a positive direction and I find myself identifying with their goals. Where I live in Hokkaido the culture of the Ainu, an indigenous group that lives in harmony with nature, is still very alive within our everyday lives. I believe Hokkaido can be a great setting to inspire future BHP activities. It is my hope that the BHP will bring more attention to the importance of spiritual wealth instead of instant gratification and materialistic wealth that dominates our society today.

What I gained from the BHP

Miyuki Nishimura

I have been involved with the BHP for the past 10 years and have had many interesting and meaningful experiences and encounters. From the pure joy and excitement that flows from a designer pitching his/her idea for a birdhouse to discovering that persons published work, seeing the eager volunteers at Hampyeong Expo in Korea and the excited crowd that comes in droves to see the exhibitions, to seeing firsthand how the locals live among their environment in less ideal conditions have inspired me to think that perhaps living within our means is in itself quite satisfying..