Photo:Yuto HIRAKAKIUCHI/Keita Sugiura

江戸中期に建てられた町家の中には、中央に淡い光が漏れる長持が置かれ、周囲に青白い光を受けるガラスの作品が点在する 。18世紀の日本において、長持は婚礼にあたって作られる嫁入り道具だった。主が新しい生命を育み老いて亡くなるまでを見届 け、幾世代を見守り続けた長持は、「未生命の遊槽」において生命の循環を示すものとなった。

長持を卵子に見立てれば、町屋は躍動する生殖細胞が遊泳する胎内であり、棺桶と見れば、魂が囲む静謐な死が表出する。「今」を生きる我々がその中に入ることで、隣り合う生と死が 接続し、新たな生命の循環が始まる。

近江八幡の地に積層された多くの記憶、未来に育まれる生命を想起させる本作は、「時空を越えた魔法の瞬間、永遠への旅」というテーマを掲げた本展にこそ相応しい。
(文責　藤本兵馬)

素材：ガラス・町屋・長持・LED照明
照明　吉岡靖
照明機器提供　カラーキネティクス・ジャパン株式会社

※本作品は2011年末まで継続公開致します (2012年以降については検討中)

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"Aquarium of life and death"

A "nagamochi" (an oblong wooden chest) emitting a soft light lies in the center of the "machiya" (merchant house)

built during the mid Edo Era. Works of glass are scattered throughout its surroundings, reflecting the pale blue light.

In 18th century Japan, the "nagamochi" was a piece of furniture created to be taken with a bride upon her marriage. The "nagamochi," which witnessed the giving of birth, aging, and death of its owner, became a symbol of the circle of life in "Aquarium of life and death".

If the "nagamochi" is viewed as symbolizing an egg, the "machiya" is the womb, within which energetic reproductive cells swim freely. If it is viewed as representing a coffin, an image of a tranquil death surrounded by souls is revealed. As we, living in the "present," enter this environment, we act as a bridge connecting birth and death, and begin a new circle of life.

This creation, which brings to mind the numerous memories stored in the Omihachiman area and the lives to be born in the future, is a perfect fit with this exhibit and its theme of "the magical moment across a space ‐time continuum and timeless journey".
(Written by Heima FUJIMOTO)

Materials : Glass, "machiya," "nagamochi," LED lighting
Lighting : Yasushi YOSHIOKA
Lighting provided by provided by Color Kinetics Japan Incorporated.

※This piece will remain on exhibit until the end of 2011.(Exhibition after 2012 is still under consideration)