Chiharu Shiota
I have decided to present Chiharu Shiota , I came across her
work whilst exploring different artists for myself self-directed project.
I found it difficult to find information on her work and I
really wanted to buy a book of hers, but they were too expensive.
Shiota was born in the Japanese city of Osaka in 1972, but
is now living in Berlin since 1997.
Trace
of Memory
The Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh
Thread
2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANCmHXpEbKw
This is a piece called “Traces of Memory”
This piece is what caught my eye when I first came across her work, as I was
researching artists which used intricate details within their practice.
This exhibition was presented in an old fashioned house
which is now used as an open gallery space which is owned by former resident
Richard Morris.
I have put a reference link in which presents Morris
exploring the history of the house.
Shiota “Explores the relationship between waking life and
memories through hauntingly beautiful installations that incorporate in
everyday objects like shoes, pianos and hospital beds”.
The way Shiota uses and layers thread and materials is
intricate, to almost create a distortion; reflecting the traces of time
highlighting an essence of decay.
The layers of material suspending from the walls almost
present a cacoon reflecting a sense of protection
“This also reflects Shiotas enthusiasm for her desire to
draw in the air”
In
silence
Piano Concept and
Black Thread
Chiharu Shiota
2011
This piece presents a similar installation presenting a
burnt piano which is remained from a burnt down piano concert.
Shiota wanted to reflect the surreal sense of history within
the piece.
The piece reflects a painful sense of nostalgia personally
to herself as it incorporates a disturbing childhood memory of witnessing her
neighbour being burnt to the ground.
Having been intrigued with Shiotas most well known work, I
decided to explore further into her work, in which inspired my practice.
Its interesting as you can see throughout time you can see
how she has developed her skills within her practice.
Earth
and Blood ( Video Still) 6 Channel Video Installation
These next photographs are a collection from a series of
video stills from her “Earth and Blood” Collection.
Shiota portrays sensitivity using organic media to capture
emotions
The colour pallet is dull and blood like suggestive of anger
and sadness.
Earth
and Blood (Video Still) 6 Channel Video Installation
This arises the subject of pregnancy, which relates to my concept as her work
depicts a contemplation a time in her life where she was exploring her
relationship with her body, as she had a miscarriage.
Earth
and Blood (Video Still) 6 Channel Video Installation
These video stills are located and presented in a natural
habitat creating a calm atmosphere.
The materials within this piece are natural substances,
reflecting the nature of life, emphasizing the honest subject.
Each material has a fluid and flesh like quality suggestive
to the inside of our bodies perhaps Shiota was contemplating the functions of
the human body.
“Untitled
“ Performance Photographs, Iceland
These performance photographs, I was unable to locate any
depth of meaning, but I feel it highlights a sense of sadness and anger, in
contemplation of freedom, a release from pain.
“Untitled
“ Performance Photographs, Iceland
The knitting is suggestive as a blanket, surrounding the
figure almost protecting it, which is childlike.
The colour pallet is flesh and bold reflecting a honest
subject, perhaps projecting the subjects insides.
The location of scenery creates a calm and therapeutic atmosphere.
The wind has captured the surface of the knitting creating a
notion of gestural movement, almost swaying which creates a sense of fluidity.
The knitting intertwines with the human body, almost being a
part of the subject, camouflaging as it could be a gesture of life, blood
moving around the body.
My Stomachache
(Video work on Performance)
I was unable to find any information on this piece, but I
feel this reflects her conceptual interest previously, portraying a sense of
sadness due to her loss within her miscarriage.
This subject reflects shitoas stomach, which is portrayed
surrounded by fluid, almost an emptiness which reflects sadness, the feeling of
something missing.
The stomach is presented almost translucent suggestive to a
fragile state of mind.
The fluid may perhaps preserve the stomach, almost
protecting it providing it with space, therefore the fluid may be a natural
organic substance which is a barrier of protection.
Dialogue
with Absence
Marugame
Genichiro-Inokuma
Museum of Contemporary Art, Kagawa
“Dialogue with Absences”
There is currently a exhibition of this work in Walsall till
the 30th March, which would be interesting to see.
I feel Shiota has portrayed a sense of the life cycle within
her installation and captures clinical elements.
It captures notions of blood, highlighting circulations
within the human body, an essence of veins suggestive to life or a matter of
death.
The blood is pure and repetitive perhaps reflecting heart
beats.
Ana Mendieta
Shiotas work was inspired by Eva Hesse and Ana Mendieta.
I find this interesting as before I came across Shiotas
work, I had researched Hesse and Mendieta myself as there work inspires my
practice.
Ana Mendieta is a well known artist, who sadly died from a
young age falling from the 34th floor window in New York.
Mendieta is known best for her earth work and body
sculptures, which are fresh and pure.
Earlier this year in the London trip, I had a opportunity to
view Ana Mendietas work in the Hayward Gallery, which unfortunately I didn’t
realise my interest therefore I didn’t go and see the exhibition as it had a
pay fee.
"Untitled"
Siluetas
Series,
Ana
Mendieta
Mexico
1976
Mendieta uses natural and organic subjects to create her
earth body installations, which have the ability to grow.
Alma Silueta
en Fuego (Silueta
de Cenizas)
Ana
Mendieta
Film,
running time 3 minutes, 30 seconds
1975
This is a quote from Mendieta
“Perhaps my images can lead the audience to speculation
based on their own experiences or what they might feel that I have experienced.
Their minds can be triggered so that the images I present retain some of the
quality of the actual experience”
Mendieta wanted to capture an essence of sound, scent and
weathering conditions to present the viewer in contemplation, engaging them to
reflect upon sensual emotions and experiences of their own, intensifying a
sense of nostalgia.
The fire is symbolic of something new reflecting upon the
past.
"Tree
of Life" Siluetas
Series,
Ana
Mendieta
Mexico
1976
Mendieta is disguised camouflaging with the natural habitat,
suggestive to protection, as she blends in within the tree creating a sense of
reassurance.
She often uses trees within her work, as she believes it
reflects wisdom and knowledge within many cultures and religions.
Overall I feel Shiota has been inspired by the use of
Mendietas natural installations, as they capture organic and fluid
essences.
Mendieta also explores a sense of history, depicting traces
of memories.
Eve Hesse
Eva Hesse is a well known sculptor, who explores delicate
and fragile materials which has influenced Shiota.
"Contingent"
1968-69
Fiberglass, latex on cheese cloth
I find the transcluency within this piece influencial
myself, it creates a spiritual atmosphere through its subtle presence.
The suspended material is flesh like creating an organic
element the piece captures a sense of
movement, as it inhabits in the natural gestural movement of the environment.
Latex itself grows and decays itself, therefore it highlights
a element of the life cycle, reflecting upon memories.
"Untitled"
1970
Latex over rope, string and wire
This piece was created during Hesse Illness, it almost
reflects her persona within a spiritual element.
This piece has been created and exhibited in many different
locations, therefore everytime the subject is moved it will change. Significant
of the life cycle, as it will adapt to changes experiencing, highlighting a
journey leaving traces of memories.
Therefore I feel these artists have all similar interests,
through intricacy and context, and overall has influenced Shiota.
Paige
Uttley-Plunkett
“Untitled” 2014
Paige
Uttley-Plunkett
“Untitled” 2014
Individually each artist has impact upon my practice
inspiring me to explore intricacy and the natural environment to create a sense
of fluidity.
Bibliography
11/03/2014
– Ana Mendieta published Broche 2013, Hayward Gallery Exhibition “Traces”
11/03/2013
– Eva Hesse, By
Lucy Lippard, Da
Capo Press Inc; New
edition edition (1 Aug 1992)
