This weekend I decided to fuck right off the internet and go touch grass at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, and check out Chiharu Shiota’s “Signs of Life” exhibition at the Templon gallery, here in NYC. For those that know me, they know Shiota is one of my all time favorite artists, and massively influential in the direction I have taken my work over the years, especially on a conceptual level.
While most of Shiota’s famous work is ultra super mega large scale installation work, it was really cool to see her work in a smaller space. In addition to the unique installation work - which, once uninstalled, is gone forever - some of her sculpture and drawing work were also on display, which made this a sweet little glimpse into the multi-disciplinary talents she possesses.
I just can’t emphasize enough how invaluable physical installation art is to me, especially when it is created with so much deep intention, love, and care. I can’t emphasize enough how important I think it is for any artist working in any medium to expose themselves to public or private installation art. Especially temporary ones like Shiota’s exhibitions are a stark reminder of the impermanence of things.
It’s probably pretty clear why I love temporary art like this, considering i work with body suspension as a medium. What I think a lot of people misunderstand, is the experience that follows. You have to make real effort to hold on to, and remember the feelings, sensations, and thoughts you experience while viewing this kind of work. Photos and videos are nice, sure, but they don’t convey the fully immersed sensory experience of being present, in the moment, with said art.
This weekend was a great reminder for me to stay true to what I want to do. And currently, that is exploring an entirely new mode of creation for a while; I’m about to get entirely lost in unknown territory, both conceptually, and physically with hook suspension. Shiota’s diversity of media she works with is a stark reminder that as a physical installation artist, one cannot shutter themselves into comfortable realms of art. Stagnation terrifies me.
Her exhibition, “Signs of Life” puts on display a very tactile representation of the web we all live in, from the literal simile with the internet, to the complex fabric of our lives made of memories and experiences, some forgotten, some lost, and some still brightly on display in our minds. Conceptually, she is consistent across all of her work, but there is a uniqueness to each type of medium she is working with. I hope that by looking at her work, you may find the inspiration to try something new with your medium as well, or to just go look at art you would normally not consider your cup of tea.
Leave your comfort zone, make some new connections, and go make or look at some good art. Also, get on Discord and say hi.