Concept: Something right before vanishing, or anything just behind existence, or you may call it is “Love”.
Echoes is an activated sculpture which is designed to print photographs on water without the use of paper. My sister’s portrait was the first image I used with this device, which caused it to vanish in the water over time although she passed away 25 years ago in the earthquake. And now, this sculpture prints many photographs of the deceased which I collected from all over the world since COVID-19 has been spread.
In that work, Echoes, I hypothesized that the relationship between "water and life (or death)" might have some kind of affinity in various countries, regardless of different cultural backgrounds, historical views, races and religious views. I had interviewed various people and collected data on photographs of the deceased family members. I believe that if it is possible to find a kind of mutual understanding of the view of life and death that is common across national borders through the "relationship between life and water" that the work has. For example, in the Christian sphere, the story that water regenerates life in the "Baptism" ritual is widely known, while in Japan, as seen in "Spirit boat procession", water leads to a new life as “Re-incarnation”, many stories of reincarnated are also known.
This work should be able to give some awareness and condolences. Because of my belief that water is a material of restart or re-bone, and incarnation material in Japanese traditions, as well as the people, can interpret a life dignity and preciousness by experiencing grief or death of whom be loved.
