Share
Print
Drachen Foundation does not own rights to any of the articles or photographs within, unless stated. Authors and photographers retain all rights to their work. We thank them for granting us permission to share it here. If you would like to request permission to reprint an article, please contact us at discourse@drachen.org, and we will get you in touch with the author.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ON THE COVER: Martin
Lester’s spirit kite flies over San Vito, Siciliy at the first Festival Internazionale degli Aquiloni San Vito Lo Capo. Story on page 38.
Drachen Foundation does not own rights to any of the articles or photographs within, unless stated. Authors and photographers retain all rights to their work. We thank them for granting us permission to share it here. If you would like to request permission to reprint an article, please contact us at discourse@drachen.org, and we will get you in touch
with the author.
AUGUST 2009
VOLUME 2, NUMBER 1
Discourses from the End of the Line
- A Newly Uncovered Collection of 1960s Japanese Kite Paintings DAVID M. KAHN
- Barriletes Gigantes of Highland Guatemala DANIEL BASSILI
- Kites for Peace CHRIS BELL AND TOM JECKEL
Tethered Flights: Drachen Foundation Projects
- The Past, the Present, and Our Future ALI FUJINO
- Familiar Faces in San Vito SCOTT SKINNER
EDITORS
Scott Skinner Ali Fujino Katie Davis
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Scott Skinner Martin Lester Joe Hadzicki Stuart Allen Dave Lang Jose Sainz Ali Fujino
BOARD OF DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Bonnie Wright Wayne Wilson Keith Yoshida
Drachen Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation devoted to the increase and diffusion of knowledge about kites
worldwide.
FROM THE EDITOR
EDITORS
Scott Skinner Ali Fujino Katie Davis
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Scott Skinner Martin Lester Joe Hadzicki Stuart Allen Dave Lang Jose Sainz Ali Fujino
BOARD OF DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Bonnie Wright Wayne Wilson Keith Yoshida
Drachen Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation devoted to the increase and diffusion of knowledge about kites
worldwide.
In this issue of Discourse, we find another essay on the giant kites of Guatemala. Graduate student Daniel Bassili writes his observations of the cultural, historical, and political significance of these creations.
David Kahn, director of the San Diego Historical Society, writes about his notable collection of Japanese kite paintings, tako-e. David has spent years amassing a wonderful survey of 20th Century Japanese kites.
Striking photographs from Tom Jeckel and Chris Bell illustrate the power of kites in Afghanistan.
Finally, Ali Fujino gives insight into the current and future status of the Drachen Foundation. Having been actively involved in the kite scene for 15 years, we will be no less involved in the future, but we will move toward a more user-friendly online presence, as well as a sustainable, long-term bricks-and-mortar one.
It’s been an issue or two since I solicited input from you, our readers. We welcome articles about your kite passions, photo-essays of significant events, breaking news in kite technologies, or simply, reflections upon kite personalities or kite venues.
Scott Skinner Board President
Drachen Foundation
Discourse is published on the Drachen Foundation website several times a year and can be downloaded for free at www.drachen.org (under “Publications”).
CONTRIBUTORS
DANIEL BASSILI
Toronto, Ontario
Bassili graduated from the University of British Columbia in the spring of 2009, where he earned an honors degree in art history. In the Fall, Daniel will begin law school at Osgoode Hall in Toronto, Ontario.
CHRIS BELL AND TOM JECKEL
Aachen, Germany
An international traveler with a visionary eye, Tom Jeckel captures the world as a photographer, kite maker, and journalist. Jeckel and friend Chris Bell take us to Afghanistan in 2003, when the kites came back.
ALI FUJINO
Seattle, Washington
From work at the Smithsonian to her present status as administrator for the Drachen Foundation, Fujino is an expert in archival practices. She works daily with the Foundation collection, organizing and storing its thousands of items.
DAVID M. KAHN
San Diego, California
Kahn frequently visits Japan and owns a large collection of Japanese kites and kite paintings. He also collects other mingei, or Japanese folk art, including sake flasks and clay dolls. Kahn is Executive Director of the San Diego Historical Society.
SCOTT SKINNER
Monument, Colorado
A former Air Force instructor pilot, Drachen’s board president has flown and designed kites for three decades.
Skinner’s military training created the structure for him to express himself as a visionary kite artist.
Articles
Discourses from the End of the Line
- A Newly Uncovered Collection of 1960s Japanese Kite Paintings DAVID M. KAHN
- Barriletes Gigantes of Highland Guatemala DANIEL BASSILI
- Kites for Peace CHRIS BELL AND TOM JECKEL
Tethered Flights: Drachen Foundation Projects
- The Past, the Present, and Our Future ALI FUJINO
- Familiar Faces in San Vito SCOTT SKINNER
Be a researcher and share your information on
any of our articles! Finding additional
information on kiting subjects is how we learn
more. If the information is worthy of print, we
will send you an official Drachen Sherpa
Adventure Gear light weight jacket. These
exclusive outdoor clothing items are
not available for purchase and are reserved for
authors and special friends of Discourse.
Send your research and comments to:
discourse@drachen.org