On the Sea, Loss, and an Art Project
I love the sea.
It's a little scary. But along with that fear, there is a feeling like diving into an unknown world. While watching the fish and coral, I get so absorbed that I end up getting a sunburn on my scalp.
Last month, at a "Death Fest" event about "thinking about death," I spoke briefly with psychiatrist Suimei Morikawa and we exchanged social media contacts. He seems to have been staying in Miyako, Okinawa recently, where he was conducting research on "suicide-rare regions."
I, too, am hoping to go to the southern sea this summer. Since I don't have much time or money, three days and two nights might be the limit, but I was thinking of splurging a little to spend some time relaxing at a resort hotel. However, I also feel a certain emptiness in resort areas, like they are "dream worlds." If I'm going to go all that way, I want to engage in activities where I can hear real voices, like Mr. Morikawa does—though, while thinking that, I might end up choosing to just rest after all.
Speaking of "real voices," I am currently recruiting participants for an art project themed around "Loss and Regeneration."
Initially, I thought about calling out to two groups: those who have experienced loss, and semi-artists who feel they want to express themselves. I felt that there might be many people who, like Yachiyo Enomoto and Harumi Shinozuka who participated in the February exhibition, feel a desire to express themselves triggered by loss. However, what I think now is that it takes a corresponding amount of time and preparation to talk about the pain of loss in front of others or to present it as a work of art. I felt once again that "turning it into a work of art in front of everyone" is something that can only be done after carefully facing one's loss.
Therefore, I am currently shifting my approach little by little toward those who "want to express something, but cannot yet put it into words well." Even so, something dormant within them might be drawn out through the creative process.
That said, there are still zero applicants.
Although I get questions, there are still zero applicants. The failure of last year's crowdfunding crosses my mind. I have already secured the exhibition venue.
There are days when I feel weak, thinking, "At worst, I'll just switch it to a solo exhibition."
Even so, I believe that this can be a catalyst for someone to take a small step forward while facing themselves, so I intend to keep at it a little longer.
■ Call for participants for the "Void Arts Project 2025" exhibition (Deadline: June 7)
https://voidarts.org/
First, there are also experiential workshops that you can participate in easily.
5/24 (Sat) 16:00- "Let's Make a Loss Map"
https://voidart0524.peatix.com/view
5/31 (Sat) 16:00- "What do you value when facing death?"
https://voidart0531.peatix.com/view