Chiharu Shiota's epic threads, Wura Ogunji and a history of light in Art
Jun 22, 2022
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Chiharu Shiota's art of entangled threads and Wura Ogunji's endurance performance are highlighted in this podcast. They discuss the symbolism of light in art, Shiota's transition to performance art, and Ogunji's public performance in Sydney. The significance of location on audience perception in performance art is also explored.
Chiharu Shiota's art captures universal themes of connection through intricate red thread sculptures.
Light in art, from natural sources to fluorescent tubes, plays a crucial role in artistic evolution.
Deep dives
Chiharu Shiota's Inspirations and Artistic Journey
Chiharu Shiota, a Japanese artist, found her artistic calling after a dream during her time as an exchange student in Australia. She abandoned oil painting due to feeling disconnected from her creations, leading her to performance art. Shiota's iconic installations draw viewers in with intricate red and black thread sculptures that evoke deep emotional responses. Her art, known for simplicity amidst complexity, resonates with a wide audience and speaks to the universal concept of connection.
Marina Abramovich's Influence on Chiharu Shiota's Artistic Path
Chiharu Shiota, intending to study with Magdalena Abakanowicz, mistakenly ended up under the tutelage of Marina Abramovich. Despite the mix-up, Abramovich's unconventional teaching methods introduced Shiota to the intensity and discipline of performance art. This experience shaped Shiota's artistic direction towards creating immersive installations embodying emotional and physical depth.
The Deep Symbolism of Red in Chiharu Shiota's Art
Chiharu Shiota's use of red in her art holds profound significance, symbolizing blood and familial connections. The color red, representing life, emotions, and origins, embodies universal themes recognized across cultures. Shiota's artistic expression through red threads conveys a shared humanity and interconnectedness.
Chiharu Shiota's Artistic Evolution and Return to Japan
Chiharu Shiota's artistic journey, from an exchange student in Australia to a celebrated artist in Berlin, culminated in her solo exhibition at Yokohama, Japan. Her monumental red thread installations and poignant works, like 'My Cousin's Faces,' reflect her connection to family, memory, and home. Shiota's art serves as a bridge between Japan and Germany, representing personal growth and a profound sense of belonging amidst life's uncertainties.
Have you ever walked through an epic entanglement of red cotton thread, by the artist Chiharu Shiota? The Japanese installation and performance artist takes Daniel through The Soul Trembles, an exhibition highlighting 25 years of her practice. Including the time she undertook a nude workshop with Marina Abramovic, mistaking her for the textile sculptor Magdalena Abakanowitcz. Plus, Daniel speaks with performance artist Wura-Natasha Ogunji, who came to Sydney to lead a public endurance performance in which a group of women haul water kegs through the streets. It was first performed in Lagos, Nigeria in 2011.
From the sky, to the moon and the neon of electric globes, light is art’s most essential element. Tate UK has a huge collection of works that speak to the evolution of light, from natural source to fluorescent tubes. More than 70 of them are on show at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).
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