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Shinji OHMAKI: Zekkei - Vacuum Fluctuation
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Published: September 13 2009

View at space D, ”Sinless Vandal" (2009); Photo: Shigeo Muto, courtesy of Tokyo Wonder Site, copy right(c) Shinji OHMAKI

In Japanese, zekkei (絶景) is the word used to describe "a superb view." It is comprised of two characters: "絶," here meaning "superb," and "景," here meaning "view."

However, a closer inspection of the character "絶" reveals it has other meanings besides "superb." This complex character is comprised of the component characters "糸" (ito, or "string"), and "刀" (katana, or "sword"). The image generated here is that of a sword cutting a string, from which stem numerous alternate meanings including: "to cut off," "to interrupt," "to put an end to," "to deny," "to eradicate," "to destroy," "to carry to the extreme," "to be distanced from," "to cross over" and "to cut across." All of these can be used to describe many of the situations we are in.

Meanwhile, the character "景" literally refers to strong separated light, and by extension, the shadow generated by that light, giving it the dual meaning of both "shadow" and "light."

We have created the three scenes of "Vacuum Fluctuation," "Silent Vaticination" and "Sinless Vandal" to the backdrops of absolute absence that transcends existence and nonexistence, the eastern philosophy of taiji/wuji, in which yin and yang constantly try to devour each other, and quantum field theory.

The vast passage of time due to slag artificially generated from burning all our waste brings about a poetic experience of imminence, as do the horizons we are inadvertently creating.

This exhibition combines research and dialogue on "the environment & waste" conducted as a step forward over the past year or so along with Shinji Ohmaki--a leading artist in the emerging artist support program, which TWS has continually been pouring its efforts into since its establishment.

* The text provided by Tokyo Wonder Site.

Last Updated on August 01 2009
 

Editor's Note by Satoshi Koganezawa


Every day I dispose of something. Therefore, the slag which Ohmaki used for his creations presented in this exhibition may include some cinders of trash which I have disposed of. Ohmaki’s large installations which appeared in the TWS Shibuya show us the negative aspects which are the price of our comfortable lives. Nevertheless, I might forget this serious aspect of our daily lives tomorrow since I can enjoy looking at the installations without getting hurt by walking on them with my shoes on, and being careful not to touch them. It is difficult for us to truly understand seriousness without suffering pain and, in fact it is easy to live without facing reality. This exhibition shows us not only his works but also demonstrates this “unrealistic attitude to life” that exists in today’s world. (Translated by Nozomi Nakayama)


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