Artist Conducts Tea Ceremonies with Strangers in More than 30 Cities: A Detailed Interview
# The Global Ties of Pierre Sernet’s *One* Series: An Exploration of Humanity Through Tea Art
In a landscape often dominated by division and cultural separations, French artist Pierre Sernet discovered an innovative approach to promote harmony through his insightful *One* series, more widely recognized as *Guerrilla Tea*. By embracing the Japanese tea ceremony—a long-standing tradition centered on harmony, purity, respect, and tranquility—Sernet established an artistic avenue to unite individuals from varied backgrounds, dismantling the barriers of language, geography, and cultural differences.
Extending across over 30 nations and engaging hundreds of individuals, Sernet’s endeavor goes beyond mere art installations, serving as a poignant social critique on the essence of human connection. His project urges us to reflect on the simplicity of sharing a moment and cherishing universal human principles when liberated from societal norms and contemporary distractions.
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## **The Genesis of *Guerrilla Tea***
The idea for *Guerrilla Tea* originated during a turbulent era in global history in the early 2000s. In light of the rising polarization spurred by online animosity, political propaganda, and cultural misconceptions—especially following 9/11—Sernet sought inspiration to counteract these adverse forces through his artistic expression.
He identified the Japanese tea ceremony as the perfect medium for this task due to its inherent emphasis on mutual respect and mindfulness. Sernet’s art installation featured a minimalist “Tea Room,” designed as an open cube of wooden supports. This unembellished, portable structure became both a stage and a refuge for ceremonial meetings, encouraging locals and passersby to enter into a unique yet profound shared environment.
Through inviting everyday people to engage in this ritual, Sernet’s project embarked on its mission of challenging assumptions, promoting conversation, and capturing ephemeral yet intimate human interactions.
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## **Tea as a Unifying Connection**
Although the Japanese tea ceremony might initially appear to be an unusual choice for such an expansive universal initiative, its core principles render it particularly apt for conveying the message of a shared humanity integral to Sernet’s project. Rooted in the tenets of *wa-kei-sei-jaku* (harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility), the practice provided a universally understandable language of intention and openness.
The contrast of such a meticulously structured, ceremonial activity set against diverse and often chaotic settings—whether in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, a construction site in Shanghai, or the desolate stretches of India’s Thar Desert—only amplified its poetic significance. As Sernet articulated, the collective act of making tea illustrated “that these seemingly incompatible worlds and cultures are, in fact, founded on shared universal values that can coexist harmoniously.”
To Sernet, the practice of sharing tea represents not only an enjoyment of the present moment but also an opportunity to dismantle divisions. Whether his guests were unfamiliar with tea or entrenched in their own cultural rituals, the experience placed them in a neutral environment where they could encounter one another as equals.
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## **Remarkable Encounters and Revelations**
Sernet’s journey presented him with extraordinary moments, affirming the power of openness and connection. From the terraces of Rio’s favelas to the breezy Chinese rice fields, numerous encounters left lasting impressions on both the artist and his participants.
In Brazil, a boy named David from the Providência favela distinguished himself with his remarkable composure and centered energy during his tea session—a presence that Sernet compared to that of a seasoned *chajin* (tea person). In Pavia, Italy, during a public tea ceremony in a city square, two children remained spellbound in silence for the full duration of the 40-minute ritual, captivated by the unfolding ceremony. In Paris, amidst a bomb threat at Charles De Gaulle airport, an armed CRS officer astonishingly allowed Sernet and his guest to remain and enjoy their tea in a hauntingly vacant terminal.
Despite many positive encounters, Sernet also confronted unforeseen hurdles. During setup in Guilin, China, a disagreement with local residents over filming permissions thwarted what could have been an ideal visual opportunity. On Capri, Italy, it took close to an hour for one brave participant—a paparazzo—to agree to join the ceremony, which then encouraged others who were initially hesitant about the unfamiliar.
These experiences highlighted the spectrum of human responses to the unknown, ranging from reluctance and doubt to curiosity and enthusiastic participation. In every situation, resolution was achieved through determination and respect—a testament to the universal values that form the foundation of Sernet’s artistic expression.
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## **The Essence of “One-Time, One-Meeting”**
Amidst the logistical hurdles and cultural distinctions, Sernet’s *One* series embodies the Zen Buddhist principle of “*ichigo ichie*,” translating to “one time, one meeting.” This concept underscores the transient, unique quality of every interaction and its value—an