Humans are sustained by "food." Eating is not only an act of survival; it also carries culture, memory, joy, and our connections with others and with the land.
Placing flowers on the dining table shows that "flowers" symbolize our link to nature and a desire for beauty. Like food, flowers have a meaning beyond their physical existence, quietly shaping our daily relationship with the world.
This exhibition explores "food" and "flowers" through the practices of students and artists from different countries and cultural backgrounds at Tokyo University of the Arts, Toride Campus. Through workshops, interviews, and art making process, they explore the body's ability to "take in and digest" and the invisible energy called "ki."
The "ki" in this exhibition is closer to the Chinese concept of qi (气) than the everyday Japanese sense of mood or atmosphere. It is a vital energy flowing through the body, nature, and environment, circulating through food, breath, and the land. Because the exhibition takes place in Toride, Japan, it also references the Japanese meaning of "ki," which can be felt as the atmosphere of a space or the relationships between people. The exhibition tries to explore the overlap and differences between these two senses--the Chinese "flowing energy" and the Japanese "perceived presence."
The body digests not only food but also the natural environment, culture, and the presence of others. Using the body as a medium, this exhibition tries to shows how local nature, culture, and human connections emerge in daily life. What appears is the quiet circulation of energy that we share with the world every day.
From the East exit of Toride Station on the JR Joban line, take the Otone Kotsu bus and get off at Tokyo Geidaimae. The venue is 5 minute walk from there.
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