2025.08

• Published the Thermometer Panel for Jobo Systems guide.
• Successfully mixed and tested replenishable C-41 color chemicals from minilab concentrates.
• Attended a bookbinding exhibition featuring over 100 handmade books at Marumizu-gumi, one of which was mine.
• Designed and made a custom engagement ring box for Ludo – she said yes.
• Set up Kittyzilla’s exhibition — Where are the Cats? — at Jinny Street Gallery.
• Visited Elliott Erwitt’s retrospective at Palazzo Bonaparte in Rome, and discovered sculptor Carole A. Feuerman’s work.
• Made significant progress on pivoting Synapse/Soma towards an Obsidian companion app.
• Attended Nini & Ozy’s wedding in Tbilisi – extremely happy for them.
• Traveled between Tokyo, Rome, and Georgia, including visits to Batumi and multiple days in Tbilisi. Batumi is unrecognizable compared to a decade ago.
• Began planning a dual-residency arrangement between Tbilisi and Rome for the upcoming year.

I survived the absolute toughest few weeks in Tokyo in terms of weather. I have never experienced such intense heat for so many days in a row. Flying to Rome and then to Georgia felt like a breath of fresh air—or like landing back on Earth after being trapped in my flat (and studio) in Tokyo, which felt like a spaceship.

Tbilisi is as magical as ever: alive, full of changes, and people enjoying themselves even in the face of the political challenges the whole country is going through. This really pushed both Ludo and me to finally make a decision: starting in 2026, we’ll begin moving to Tbilisi and Europe—initially Rome. Challenging and interesting times ahead.