Works

Let There Be Light

2023 Acrylic, polyvinyl chloride, lighting equipment, H61xW61xD10cm, H42xW42xD11cm, and more

In 2021, when I returned to my hometown after a long interval, there was light.

I opened the sliding shutters, which had been closed since the earthquake struck, and rays of sunlight poured into the room, which had been lit solely by fluorescent lights up to that time.

These 10 years were very long, and very short.

I first entered the exclusion zone in the summer of 2020. Along with the progress of recovery, more parts of this zone, where residency is restricted, are being opened up, and a return to former places of residence has become a realistic option. Nevertheless, this does not mean that former residents can move right back into the old familiar places; in many cases, whole blocks of houses have been razed and transformed into vacant lots due to radioactive contamination. At the same time, the exclusion zone still covers a wide area, and the dream of going home is still out of reach for many people.

Over the last 12 years, I have talked with people in Fukushima who had various experiences and opinions. However, such testimony is just a little part of the whole story. People’s thoughts and feelings differ depending on their standpoint, the place where they lived, age, and other factors. While some are taking joy in recovery and have high hopes for the future, others feel despair, pain, sorrow, and anger over the continuing impact and lack of progress in recovery.

When light is stronger, the shadows are stronger too.

Recovery has still just begun. Or is it even right to say that it has begun?

 


 
Stay Home

2022 Movie data 10min55sec

Since 2020, people around the world had been advised to “Stay Home,” making it difficult to travel across countries and cities and engage with others face-to-face.

Solitude caused by an unseen virus.

People unable to meet others due to social or physical circumstances. Being separated from one’s home due to unseen radioactivity. Parting with loved ones.

Divisions always occurr abruptly.

At times, they strengthen our awareness towards others and the land, while simultaneously serving as an opportunity to reflect on our way of life thus far, our relationships with people, and connections to our hometown, and can also become an incentive for creating a new future.

 


Long Way Home

2022 Movie data 16min03sec

 


 

High & Low

2022 Movie data 13min14sec

In the summer of 2021, my grandmother left this world.

On the morning of the funeral, we bereaved put various articles beside her little corpse in the coffin: a old pair of chopsticks with broken tips and the rice bowl she always used, a pair of shoes and clothes, a short letter that we wrote to her after her death, six mon coins (the fare for crossing the river in the underworld) printed on paper, and flowers.

I wonder what else she wanted to take along?

I wonder what I would want to take along.

The long journey begins now.


On the Rocks

2022 Movie data 11min22sec

About 90 years ago, during the period when the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in the Russian Far East was still called Toyohara, Karafuto in Japan, Ojigaike Pond was built in Toyohara Park to serve as a reservoir by the Japanese company Oji Paper, which had moved into Korea and Karafuto. This monument was erected at that time.*1 After the Second World War, Japan renounced its claims to Karafuto.*2 Toyohara Park was in time renamed Gagarin Park. The authorities also dismantled the torii gate and main building of Karafuto Shrine near the park, and put monuments, statues, red flags, and a tank from the Soviet era on the grounds, which were reborn as “Slava Square.” Up until a few years ago, this monument was lying on the ground, split into two pieces. Interested local individuals reportedly repaired it and re-erected it. Seventy-seven years have passed since the end of the war in the summer of 2022. Will the stone monument of Ojigaike continue to stand in Sakhalin in the future?

Notes;
1. This monument bears an inscription indicating that it was completed in 1936.

2. Upon the 1905 conclusion of the Treaty of Portsmouth after the Russo-Japanese War, Karafuto, i.e., that part of the island of Sakhalin south of the 50th parallel north, was ceded to Japan. Japan renounced its claims to southern Sakhalin in signing the Treaty of San Francisco (1951). However, the Soviet Union did not sign it, and because the treaty did not explicitly specify return of southern Sakhalin to the Soviet Union, Japan officially considers it to be a territory of undetermined ownership. The issue remains outstanding because the two countries have yet to conclude a peace treaty to end their World War II hostilities.

Special Thanks |Dai Hasegawa/ Yusuke Suga/ yang02/ Decamerons 


Always on My Mind

2022 Movie data  12min49sec

He was born more than about 90 years ago to Korean parents who emigrated from Korea to Sakhalin (Former Karafuto; North of Japan, Russiabn Far East). Before and during World War Two, he was treated as Japanese and received a Japanese education. After the war, however, he was told that he was not Japanese, and was not permitted to board ships for evacuation to Japan. He was consequently left behind to live in Sakhalin.

This is a premonition of a future that could arrive after a war begun in another country and the story of a youth who was tossed about by strife between nations long ago.


UKR

2022 Photo H172xW305mm

As of March 11, 2022, the location in this photo is Kiev (Kyiv), the capital of Ukraine. If there is a change of country, please replace the sticky note with a color closer to the flag of the state to which the person or organization actually owns or occupies the relevant location. In the unlikely event of a change of country, please replace the sticky note regardless of whether it is in the middle of the exhibition period or not. Please remove the old sticky note from the photo.



Energy

2021 Movie data  10min53sec

I was very worried about a lot of things. But in the end, I had no choice but to receive two shots of the COVID-19 vaccine in the fall.



Reversing Light

2021 Wood, water-based paint, lighting equipment

It was before World War II that the poet-cum-sculptor Kotaro Takamura published “Chieko’s Sky,” a collection of poems inspired by his love for his wife Chieko. During the war, in keeping with his membership in the totalitarian-minded Imperial Rule Assistance Association, he wrote many poems that extolled and supported Japan’s military, and were aimed at whipping up pro-war sentiment among the Japanese populace. Imbued with a militaristic spirit, Japan pursued the war in all directions. But after the war, there was a reverse trend toward democracy in all aspects of its society.

In the wake of the war, Takamura was not among those who were held responsible for it and prosecuted as war criminals. Nevertheless, in his contrition over his complicity with the wartime regime, he built a humble cottage for himself on the outskirts of the city of Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture and lived a self-sufficient life there for about seven years immediately after the war.

This reversed character for “light” was carved into the transom window above the door of an outhouse. Sunlight enters through this character, which appears normal when viewed from outside the bathroom, but is reversed when viewed from inside it.

One can only wonder what Takamura thought about the “reversed society” beyond the “reversed light” he saw when inside the dim bathroom, deep in the mountains and far from other people.


There is no road in front of me, I can create a path behind me

2021 Canvas, ink, lighting equipment, H72.8xW60.5xD3cm

Journey  by Kotaro Takamura

Location : Sakura-Street (in Yonomori, Tomioka, Fukushima)


Reiwa Cherry Blossoms -75 years After WWⅡ

2020 H151 × W208 cm – Washi paper on wood panel / sumi ink / pigment / animal glue / gold leaf

During the World WarⅡ, one of the war paintings produced at the order of the imperial Japanese army was rejected by it and then hidden away by its artist.

This painting was finally shown to the public when it was included in a catalogue of war paintings published after the war. However, the artist, mindful of the change of values as compared to during the war, used sumi ink to blot out the background depiction of cherry blossoms, which symbolized the wartime virtues summarized in the idiom jinchu hokoku, and transformed the painting into one of tsuito aiseki.

In this work, I blotted out the figure of the corpse in the painting shown to the postwar public, and painted in cherry blossoms, which were blotted out and cannot be seen in the artist’s painting today.

I depicted oka ranman, the idiom for cherry blossoms in glorious bloom that today, 75 years after the end of the war, are simply admired with no recollection of their use in the formation of Japanese nationalism, and the “look” of the contemporary age, with its intimations of the rebirth of jinchu hokoku in the air.

These days, when there is so much talk about freedom of expression, is it really possible for “freedom of expression” to exist in this country?

 

Jinchu hokoku: To be thoroughly loyal to the sovereign and repay the country
Tsuito: To recall the life of the deceased, and mourn and lament his or her death

Aiseki: To grieve and deplore*1

 

Source literature
– Nichinan Museum (2013), “Japanese Artist – Shusei Kobayakawa – The Memory of War”*2
Lexicon- “Super Dajirin 3.0,” Sanseido Co., Ltd.
Note:
1. English translations of entries in the Japanese lexicon indicated above.

2. A tentative translation of the title of a work available only in Japanese. 



Synchronized Cherry Blossom

2019 Movie data 10min31sec / Someiyoshino – cherry tree 350 × 625 × 420cm / uiro – Japanese rice jelly, Watercolor paints, food coloring, Wires, Soil

The Shinkansen the world’s first high-speed railway and dream infrastructure, which opened 55 years ago in line with the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, had a major impact on people’s lives and culture. Uiro (Japanese steamed cake), which by now i s widely famous as a local specialty of Nagoya, had also come to be recognized throughout Japan due to being selected for in-train sales on the Shinkansen.

Eight years from now in 2027, the “Chuo Shinkansen” maglev line that connects Tokyo and Osaka i n approximate l y one hour, w i l l begin operati n g here i n Nagoya. Large-scale urban developments that are simultaneously underway will once more bring about much change to the cityscape, and also change the flow of popul ation to and from th e city. As a result of such influen ces, “Nagoya’s Specialty” may indeed also be subject to change.

On this occasion I attempted to take “Uiro”, Aichi prefecture a nd Nagoya’ s local specialty born in the Showa period, and transform it from something that is eaten to something that is to be viewed and appreciated. My objective is to preserve and record “Uiro” and its reputation as a local specialty of Nagoya,fearing the possibility for it to be replaced with something else in light of then e winfrastructure that is established.

The work at the same time reflects my sincere desire to be able to eat “Uiro”, a confectionery that I love so dearly, for the rest of my life.

※ The shinkansen is a bullet train


Innocent Tale of the Sky

2019  Movie data 03min03sec

In 2019, Tokyo is in a building boom for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

A long time ago, Chieko Takamura, who suffered from mental illness, left the words “No sky in Tokyo”. The actor got into character of Chieko’s husband, Kotaro Takamura who loved her. He begged the building to fill the Tokyo sky and make it invisible.

Plans for Tokyo 2019, Vol.1 Bontaro DOKUYAMA RENT TOKYO


Tokyo Drawing 2019

2019 Photo / Pigments / The rainfall / Canvas / Canvas board 31.8×41.0, 45.5×53.0, 50.0×60.6 cm

The names of locations within Tokyo’s 23 wards where urban redevelopment has been in progress since the early 2000s in light of the approaching 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the opening of the Chuo Shinkansen (maglev line) in 2027.

The two-dimensional works depict the ever-changing landscapes of Tokyo in preparation for 2020. Canvases covered in pigment are placed in various locations across the city, and are left out in the rain.

-Large Canvas :Names of locations where Olympic related facilities are currently being constructed.
-Small Canvas :Names of locations within Tokyo’s 23 wards where redevelopment is in progress.

-Blank Canvas:Imperial Paleace


My Anthem

2019 Movie data 17min46sec

The future arrives with violence, ushering in something new for us.

March 11, 2011. 2:46 p.m. Japan.

Who could have predicted that the landscape with which we were born and raised could change so completely?

August 15, 1945. Noon. Taiwan.

Who could have predicted that the landscape with which we were born and raised could change so completely?

Taiwan, before and during the war.Japanese colonial rule started in 1895 and lasted 50 years.The children born in Taiwan during this time were brought up in the same way as children in Japan. But…At noon on August 15, 1945.. The Emperor gave a radio broadcast announcing the end of the war.And Taiwan was taken over by the Republic of China.  (The handover officially took place on October 25, 1945.)

For this work, I visited people over 80 years of age in order to learn about the period of Japanese rule in Taiwan. I asked them about Taiwan at that time. I decided to imagine their “past future” that might have taken place.


Public Recording

2018 Movie data 3min22sec

This work is a project to 3D scan “Peace of statue” which became the first public art in the Jongno District in Seoul, Korea, and to “record” it’s free distribution of the 3D data. Until now Korea, Japan, and other countries, as the government of the country changes, the policy of the country has changed.

So by open sourcing this public model “Peace of statue” and its historical circumstances to “Public” on SNS and the Internet, individuals all over the world “Permanently” “record ” It is one of the projects “public archive” to try things.

Location : Seoul, South Korea

“Public archive” Web-site


Time Goes By

2017  Movie data 24min58sec

Taiwan was governed by Japan for 50 years, After that it’s governed by China at just now. Therefore, I heard that communication between the generation is braking off. Because it’s different in the language with which they deal during the generation. So the culture and the custom are also different between the generation. And also old people have few chances of going out for dementia of aging and aging, and its tendency is being accelerated increasingly.

So I thought, I’ll visit a old Taiwanese people who speaks Japanese, and I record the people who remember the Japanese and old Japanese culture and manners and customs. That it’s urgent and important to do.

The young people who saw the video would think how to do in the future.

Location : Taipei and Tainan in Taiwan


War is Over

2017 Movie data 05min13sec 

The radius 20 km ”Caution areas”
The radius 30 km  “Emergency Evacuation Preparedness Zone”
The radius 50 km ”Planned Evacuation Zone”
The radius 200 km ”Tokyo”   -The capital of Japan
The radius 1,800 km ”Okinawa”   -There was the only ground battle of WW II fought on the Japanese islands.

Can this country be united by Olympics and a linear motor train ?

Too far to see, Too far to hear

Location : Okinawa


 

“The 4th branch METI  -After several years-”

2016 Movie data / Installation

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

In August 2016, the almost 5 years of squatting by several activists on state-owned land “Pocket Park” ended it’s time, through a forcible removal ordered by the Supreme Court.

XX years go by since then.

Seniors who never gave up their dreams, contributed to the economic development that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) undertakes through their space ventures, and the expansion of employment opportunities for seniors. “Nuclear Free” led by the 4th branch of METI was implemented as a form of “Escape from Earth”.


The 4th branch, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry 

2016 Movie data 18min37sec / Installation

The Ministry of economy, Trade and Industry is located at Kasumigaseki in Japan. That composed by 2 government buildings. This exhibition will be held at “anti-nuclear museum” that inside at one of 3 temporary tents build without permission, located front of government buildings. This museum is built for appeal voices from people to stop the resuming nuclear power plant operations and export of nuclear power generation. After March 2011, Participants of Movement of anti nuclear or “Nuclear phase-out” are over two hundred thousand. Now, the number of people who joined this movement is declined, there make a voice for the anti and “phase-out” for nuclear. Theme of this exhibition is, “Temporary: Reality and Ideals of Temporary tents”. Taking an interview from people who staying at Tents of Nuclear “phase-out, I know what is going on. I will propose a “comfortable living space” as an “irony” for nuclear that still exist, and as a spirit of respect for the aged who tired because of the activities were continued with 24 hours a day.  Trying to change the situation that completely choked between Nation and Tents. 

Statement

Location MAP


Dreaming Future

2016 Movie data 05min40sec / silk-screen printing

The motif is an office worker because I worked at a company. At the time, my works was very hard. At One Friday night, office workers slept on the road at Shibuya, Shinjuku, Shinbashi in Tokyo. Because they were drunk and very tired. They didn’t have any day off and couldn’t have rest everyday. However, I think they are hero. So I covered them in clothes like Jesus Christ. We call companies which make employees work over time and don’t give them day-off. So called black company in japan. A black company’s logo was on the cloth. They are like me and my self-portrait.


Good, Now and forever

2016 Movie data 06min57sec / Model of baby’s foot


Over There

2015 Movie data / masks /  watercoloring / paper – The local newspaper for 4 years after March 11. 2011 / photo

Conditions of creation:
– Limited to a temporary housing residents
– Materials cut through newspaper (Provincial newspaper of Fukushima) by hand
– Paste the split newspaper on a pure white masks
– They wear the mask and point to their hometown

They live in Temporary houses from 2011. They are called victims but they have their own name and each all different people. I cut a local newspaper by hand with them together. Then I put them on masks. I asked them to put the masks on their faces, and they pointed their hometown’s direction. Most of them are senior citizen.


Even After 1,000 years

2015 Movie data 02min32sec

This work is I got to know their strong minds to keep staying in Fukushima even though some people were out. The message “This sky is the real sky” was written on the wooden pole at Mt.Adatara in Nihonmatsu city in Fukushima. In this movie, I keep screaming “This sky is the real !!” while I was pelted by nuclear fallout.

Location




 1/150

2015 Movie data 02min39sec / Photo / This dolphin’s born

11 April 2015, after huge earthquake effected us in many ways. Dead 150 dolphins were washed up on a beach in Ibaraki in Japan. Some people were surfing near that place, and they found one dolphin was still alive, so they put the dolphin back to the sea. But the dolphin came back to the beach and dead soon. Even though the dolphin could be alive, he did not have any choice to die. I saw their instinct as animals. However it is not only about dolphins, but us.


LInCCAi-chan

2014 Movie data 07min11sec / Photo

“LInCCAi-chan” which means “The critical point” and “between adult and child”. After the nuclear disaster in FUKUSHIMA, many people visited to IWAKI because they need jobs, It was a kind of Fukushima’s bubble economy at some sex shops. So I went to IWAKI to buy a girl. But I couldn’t buy her. Because she is called Licca and the name is my ex-girlfriend name when I was high school student. So I went to a factory of famous doll which is called Licca-chan. Licca-chan similar to “Barbie doll”.  I bought a Licca-chan at ONONIIMACHI in FUKUSHIMA and she was healing me.


Private movie link