About "A Remembrance of the Time" Plants"

Concept of "A Remembrance of the Time"
The nature that I think about is composed of wind (air), rain (water), the sun (light), ground (earth), and time. These are the most important elements for all creatures on the earth. If we lose one of them, we are not able to survive. Our existence depends on the nature, and it is necessary for us to realize this now. We can feel the intention of the nature, but we are unable to see the actual form. I think, however, that we can embody it by means of this metaphor.

The important purpose of my work is to put the relationship and the balance of the position of the plants into the paper, and to change them into a condition where everyone can see the intention of nature. I want to embody the intention of the nature and present it in the form of an artwork so that people can see and feel its importance. I feel that it is necessary for us to see and feel this importance now.

Art work "A Remembrance of the Time"
For my first work in the "Plants" series in 1999, I chose a garden at the studio in Mino used for artists-in-residence. I dug 12 two-centimeter-deep rectangle holes on the surface of the garden. By taking away the plants, the roots, small stones, fallen leaves and other things from each of the holes, I exposed the ground and arranged it in preparation for the changes that can break out from this. I waited for about 2 months while seeds were carried there in the course of nature; roots took hold in places and small new plants sprouted. And, I put these new plants into the washi paper without changing the constitution, the position and the relationship of the plants that were created by the nature. The important purpose of my work is to put the relationship and balance of the position of the plants in to the paper, and to change it into a condition where everyone can see the intention of nature that I see and think about.