VENICE.- From the day we are born our lives become more and more complex with each passing moment. As child we are not completely aware of the things happening around us and we experience them as if we are floating in a dream.
Inside this floating realm we are focused on that exact moment. As children we dont have many worries regarding past or future, we live in the present, understanding with all of our senses, experiencing everything for the first time, life itself.
For a child everything is new and unexpected but the older we get the more our memories of these moments start to fade. Little by little we become attached to the earth and many of us start to forget the feeling of being “light”, of staying in the present moment, not leaving that dream realm.
Life can be really hard and our personal experiences and traumas can push us far away from these carefree memories, but we hope that even those people who feel oppressed will be able to find the strength to fly high again.
“This exhibition was born with the intent to bring back the ancestral feel- ings of joy, playfulness and dreams that, we hope, every one of us experienced in their floating realm as a child.”
Balloon Wall Sculpture
For my solo exhibition in Venice I decided to install a sculpture on the walls of that magnificent Gallery. To create a deliberate contrast, I opted to arrange balloon sculptures that exuded a sense of f loating and weightlessness, spanning the entirety of the historic and imposing walls. These sculptures breathed life into the otherwise static walls, infusing them with a newfound dynamism and openness, thus completely transforming the atmosphere of the space. As the balloons energetically ascended towards the sky, they evoked a refreshing sensation that could be felt simply by observing their graceful movement.
Balloon Glass Lantern
During winter 2022, an exciting opportunity came my way: the chance to showcase my balloon series artworks in the stunning city of Venice. With my strong connection to this incredible place, it felt like the perfect setting to bring my long-held dream to life – creating beautiful glass balloons that would stand the test of time.
With determination and focus, I embarked on a journey to the renowned island of Murano, known for its exceptional glass craftsmanship. The artisans there had honed their remarkable skills over many years. They effortlessly shaped the delicate openings of the balloons, ensuring a flawless design that could accommodate the insertion of an LED light source. Their attention to detail and precision was truly impressive.
As my vision slowly became a reality, the glass balloons I had imagined took on a tangible form. By incorporating rechargeable LEDs, these delicate spheres softly lit up the surroundings, creating a subtle and enchanting atmosphere reminiscent of graceful lanterns. Their vibrant presence never failed to captivate, defying the limitations of time itself.
Mushroom Lamp
After the end of the Cold War between the USA and the Soviet Union, the crisis of nuclear wars was believed to have disappeared. However, even after the Cold War, some countries like India, Pakistan, China, France, and North Korea have continued the development of nuclear weapons. The crisis has not yet ended. As of 2021, our planet has an incredible amount of 13000 nuclear weapons, which are capable of annihilating the whole earth several times over. Under these hopeless circumstances, what we can do to aim for a nuclear-free world is to have concern about this issue, to deepen our understanding, to have discussions, and to continue to advocate the elimination of nuclear weapons. We create a catalyst by incorporating Mushroom Lamp into our daily lives, and to help to lighten the hearts of those who hope for peace in the world.
Balloon Chair
This chair was visually inspired by the feeling of floating that the main character felt in the French film, “Le Ballon Rouge” (1956). Actually, the chair and the balloons are fixed to the back wall and this achieves the sense of floating as if the chair was lifted by balloons. If you sit on this chair you’ll get things positively even if you are feeling down.
Balloon Bench
This bench design was visually inspired by the feeling of f loating that the main character felt in the French movie, “Le Ballon Rouge” (1956). In reality the bench is suspended from the ceiling by four anchors concealed by the balloon shapes. This creates the illusion of the bench being lifted by balloons.
Balloon Mirror
The energy we receive when we look into the mirror in the morning can greatly impact the course of our day. It is beneficial to uplift our mood and greet ourselves with a smile when we see our reflection. With this intention in mind, I have designed a mirror suspended in the air by balloons. I firmly believe that anyone standing before this mirror, with balloons f loating in the sky, will experience an uplift in energy and wear a smile. The mirror is securely constructed with an anchor on the ceiling, from which it is suspended. My hope is that people can use this mirror to groom themselves and start their day on a positive note, embracing the potential for a wonderful day ahead.
Hot Balloon Mirror
The energy we absorb when we look into the mirror in the morning can have a profound impact on the course of our day. It is beneficial to uplift our mood and greet ourselves with a smile when we see our reflection. With this idea in mind, I created a mirror suspended in the air by a hot air balloon. I firmly believe that anyone standing before this mirror, as it gracefully floats in the sky, will experience a surge of energy and wear a genuine smile. The mirror is securely hung by an anchor on the wall. My hope is that people can utilize this unique mirror to groom themselves and embark on a day filled with joy and positivity.
Balloon Table
I had the opportunity to visit Venice in the autumn of ’22, a time when the city was still grappling with the restrictions brought about by Covid-19. The atmosphere was remarkably quiet, and the city seemed burdened by the weight of it all. The memory of that subdued Venice remains vivid in my mind.
Now, as we approach the summer of ’23, I am thrilled to announce that I will be hosting a solo exhibition in Venice. Thankfully, the grip of Covid-19 has loosened, and the city has once again come a l ive with its characteristic vibrancy.
Nevertheless, the serene and solitary scenes from my autumn visit continue to resonate deeply with me. It is this impression that I aim to capture in my design. I have decided to create a table that embodies the essence of that oppressive atmosphere. A heavy glass slab will symbolize the suffocating air that enveloped the city, while delicate balloons on the verge of being crushed will represent the resilient people of Venice during that challenging time. These balloons long for the day when they can once again regain their buoyancy and soar freely.
The Birth Stand - The Birth Hanging
“At the moment of fertilisation, eggs emit light”.
Since early childhood, I have been fascinated by the secret of life, and when I came across the above statement, my interest in the secret of life has become stronger. I had an opportunity to see the moment of fertilisation through the microscope in a laboratory. At that very moment, eggs did not emit any light perceptible to me. However, they were grotesque but beautiful, and surely looked shining, which was the scene of the secret of life. The scene of innumerable sperms swarming around eggs is a haunting image to me. Strictly speaking, at the moment of fertilisation, there is a change in the wavelength of calcium ions (positively charged atoms of calcium) inside the egg. Based on an idea of regarding light as a wavelength, the electronic wavelength of the calcium ions may possibly be expressed as “light”. The inspiration I got at the time determined the shape of The Birth, which expresses a scene of light-emitting eggs superbly fertilised with swarming sperms. Due to the light bulbs turned inwards, surrounding ones are reflected on the surface of each other. This evokes one fertilised egg repeating cell division to be multiplied to 200 to 300 folds in one week. The Birth repeats flickering of light like a heartbeat. This comes from the repetitive increase of calcium ions (calcium oscillation) in the eggs after fertilisation. Today, humanitarian issues such as racism and indiscriminate terrorism are endless. Now that even life can be artificially created, and the its significance appears to change, it is a time for us to take a fresh look at what “life” is all about. The Birth will be a trigger to rediscover the mystery and preciousness of life.
Satoshi Itasaka 板坂 諭 The Floating Realm
IN'EI Gallery
June 30th, 2023 - August 20th, 2023
