Aoi Michimata "Own Pace"

Finished

Aoi Michimata is conducting research on printmaking at Musashino University Graduate School of Arts. The work "Kafka's Stairs," created during their undergraduate years, was proposed by the social activist and writer Takeshi Ikuta, referencing novelist Franz Kafka's "Letter to His Father."

Losing one's job. Losing one's address. These things may seem like descending a staircase step by step, but once you experience life on the streets, the staircase to return to your previous life has a very high step. In "Letter to His Father," Kafka describes having to climb a staircase with steps five times higher than those of others due to excessive pressure from his father, and even with his utmost effort, he cannot ascend. Obtaining an address as a homeless person, finding a job, securing money until payday—these obstacles are like walls standing in the way, resembling a staircase.

Referencing such concepts, Michimata's interpretation of Kafka's staircase signifies the absurdity of life that their generation feels. The staircase, depicted in various situations, conveys the message that it is not necessarily applicable to everyone, highlighting the idea that not all individuals experience the same challenges.

This exhibition will showcase the "Kafka's Stairs" series and new works.

Schedule

Sep 1 (Fri) 2023-Sep 24 (Sun) 2023