"CULTURE GATE to JAPAN" - Seite 2

Within the screen that resembles a hanging scroll, the artists and creators present the culture and allure of Japan using new perspectives and methods to greet and inspire airport visitors.

• Cultural Resource × Artist:
  - Maneki-neko (lucky cat) × AC-bu
  - Ink wash painting × Creative Label nor
  - The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter × MIYAZAKI Natsujikei
  - Washi paper (Japanese paper)× Nyamyam
  - Kaitai Shinsho (New Text on Anatomy) × YOSHIGAI Nao

(2) Exhibition title: "Transcending Prayers"
Location: Haneda Airport Terminal 2, 2nd floor Marketplace
Period: January 19, 2022 – TBD*

"Hanabi/Fireworks", enchanting spectacles shared by many around the world, has taken slightly unique development path in Japan. Since 17th century, it has been evolving together with the local cultures in various regions throughout this nation and come to hold the cultural significance of the country. Artist, SHIMADA Sayaka, using this global yet local symbol "fireworks", as the means of expression, explores the complex culture of Japan filled with the coexistence of concepts even in histories, philosophies, and aesthetics.

Historically, the fireworks displays are known to have contradicting meanings of "festival" and "memorial service/reposing the souls" and have thrived with both aspects. For this work, SHIMADA focuses on this dualism of the fireworks festival. She collects and analyzes the temporal and geographical data of all the fireworks cancelled in Japan through 2020 because of COVID-19 and creates the actual fireworks that evoke another world that could have been and to honor the lost festivals. The form of the exhibition changes in stages, starting from a video work of the production process and data simulations, and to the installation consisting of used tubes from the actual fireworks launch and filmed footage.

Not only as an artist but also as an award-winning fireworks designer, SHIMADA, envisions to create the world that contrasts the various aspects of fireworks by examining the historical and cultural backgrounds.

• Cultural Resource × Artist:
  Fireworks ×  SHIMADA Sayaka

The archive of last year's artworks will also be displayed on monitors and panels at FLIGHT DECK TOKYO on the 5th floor of Haneda Airport, Terminal 2, until March 21, 2022*.

*Please note that there is a possibility of the exhibition being relocated or suspended due to circumstances of the venue or the situation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit the official website for the latest information.