About the Work
An experiential video installation performance based on the motif of festivals and traditional events passed down from the history of the Tohoku region. This work allows one to personally experience the mysterious phenomenon of transforming into a non-human being. Building on WOW's interpretation, this work was visualized on the basis of four traditional event motifs: Namahage (ogre), Shishi-odori (deer dance), Kasedori (straw bird), and Saotome (young girl). As you face the screen, your silhouette begins to transform into each character, and the magnificent group performance begins to unfold through an animation projected on screen. It is a spectacle that allows you to enjoy and experience the mystic, eerie powers of transformation that will turn you into something new--something non-human. This is a performance that brings you in close contact with the traditional culture born from the spiritual atmosphere of the Tohoku region through a completely new type of expression, inspired by the desire to bequeath the value of such an experience onto future generations.
BAKERU is exhibited at JAPAN HOUSE LA from July 17 to October 6.
作品について
東北に古くから伝わる祭りや伝統行事をモチーフにした体験型の映像インスタレーション作品。この作品では、人間以外の存在に“化ける”という不思議な行為を、インタラクティブな映像表現によって体験できる。「なまはげ」「鹿踊」「加勢鳥」「早乙女」の4種類の伝統行事をモチーフにし、WOWの解釈を加えてビジュアライズした。スクリーンの前でお面を付けると、自分のシルエットがそれぞれの姿に変化して、その行事が人々にもたらす恵みがアニメーションで映し出される。自分以外の存在、人間以外の何者かへと“化ける”という不思議な力を、楽しみながら体験する試み。東北の風土が生んだ伝統文化に、まったく新しい表現を通して触れてもらうことで、その価値を次の世代へ受け継いでいきたいという願いを込めた作品。
2019年7月17日〜10月6日まで、アメリカのJAPAN HOUSE LAにて展示。
BAKERU - Transforming Spirits -
July 17 – October 6, 2019
FREE ADMISSION
JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles
6801 Hollywood Boulevard, Level 2
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Staff
Presented and Organized by JAPAN HOUSE LOS ANGELES
Art Direction: WOW
Sponsored: ANA (All Nippon Airways), Panasonic
Curatorial support provided by tateito-yokoito LLC., TOHOKU STANDARD
In Cooperation with:
Gyozanryu Maikawa Shishiodori
Tokyo Shishiodori
Oga City
Baba no Taue Odori Preservation Society
FabLab Sendai FLAT
Fukunaga Print Co., Ltd.
cap LLC.
Ito Yutaka
Special Thanks: Hollywood & Highland
