Visiting an art exhibition has transformed into an experience that, much like everything else in the world, lives by a “pics or it didn’t happen” philosophy. The same rang true for Berlin Art Week 2016, where visitors snapped photos of their favourite works in hopes of capturing a perfect Instagram photo. One of the most popular pieces was – without a doubt – “Uncertain Journey” by Chiharu Shiota.
Read below the nine things you need to know about the artist and her installation, created on-site for Blain|Southern Berlin.
1. You may remember Chiharu Shiota as the artist behind 2015’s highly Instagrammed work at the Venice Biennale
The artist was honoured to represent Japan at the 2015 Venice Biennale, but she is quick to point out that she does not like being confined or labelled as a Japanese artist. “I’ve never worked as a Japanese artist, I’m simply an artist. However, working for the Venice Biennale stirs up a strong sense of nationalism that can also create a lot of pressure. It’s tough.”
2. This is her first hometown exhibition in eight years
Though Shiota is based in Berlin, a busy schedule of worldwide exhibitions has left her away from home to work everywhere from Sydney to São Paulo. The artist expresses her excitement to finally show at home again, stating: “I couldn’t be more delighted.”
3. Entitled “Uncertain Journey”, the artwork currently on display at Blain|Southern is meant to symbolise the human brain
“I’ve named this work “Uncertain Journey” as I feel mankind is always ready to go somewhere, but we rarely know where we want to go.” Utilising yarn to represent the brain’s memory systems, Shiota has switched from her typical ink-hued string in favour of bright red in order to better represent the blood flowing through our bodies.
“When guests are confronted with this sense of immediacy, it can leave a lasting impression”
4. This particular tangled creation stretches over 20 metres high
Upon being invited to show at Blain|Southern, Shiota gladly accepted the challenge of how to fully occupy the gallery’s expansive space. “A painting would have been too small, so I decided to create one big installation. It wasn’t easy, but that’s what makes it so rewarding.”
5. She spent 12 days weaving “Uncertain Journey”
Shiota’s yarn-based works regularly feature metres and metres of geometrically intertwined thread. For this particular installation, the artist reveals that it took 10 people and 12 days to create the impressive detailed-oriented patterns.
6. Though it is such a laborious process, the artist does not allow herself to get too attached
For Shiota, the deconstruction of each work is equally as important as the creation
7. When asked about her work’s popularity on Instagram, she believes it’s a direct result of the installation’s universal message
“I want people to enter the space and get a sense of my work immediately,” affirms Shiota. For her, it is this immediate connection that causes onlookers to take so many photos. “When guests are confronted with this sense of immediacy, it can leave a lasting impression.”
8. The artist was taught by one of contemporary art’s most famous performance artists
When Shiota moved to Germany from Japan in order to further her art studies, the artist enrolled at a Berlin university as a pupil under Marina Abramovic.
9. The artist has 10 shows opening in September and October alone
With a combination of solo and group showcases, Shiota’s calendar comprises exhibition openings in Japan, Hungary, Australia and Germany.
For more information on Chiharu Shiota please visit chiharu-shiota.com
“Uncertain Journey” is on display at Blain|Southern Berlin until 12 November 2016
Photography by Maansi Jain