Light Emitting Diode, IC, electric wire, mirror, steel.
112.5 x 112.5 x 5.0 cm
87.5 x 87.5 x 5.0 cm
62.5 x 62.5 x 5.0 cm
2024
Photo by Nobutada Omote
K’in is a unit of time used in ancient Mayan civilization, particularly in their calendar system. In the Mayan language, K’in means "day." It also symbolizes the sun and was considered the foundation of the cosmos and life.
Time was viewed as cyclical and sacred in ancient Mayan culture. The Mayans used a base-20 system, but their notation also included many elements based on base-5. Therefore, in this work, the LED arrangement is designed to form a circular shape based on the number 5, reflecting the relationship between ancient Mayan time and life.
The circular mirror embedded with LEDs reflects not only the surrounding space but also the viewer's own image. The numbers within the mirror are LEDs counting down at different speeds. These LEDs count down from 9 to 1, never displaying 0, and then return to 9, repeating the cycle. The countdown from 9 to 1 represents "life," and the disappearance of 0 symbolizes "death." Together, these two—"life and death"—combine to represent "Seimei". According to Buddhist scriptures, "Seimei" spreads throughout the cosmos after 0 ("death"), filling the universe. In other words, the universe is overflowing with the invisible "Seimei."
This work creates a space where time, the cosmos, and the viewer's own "Seimei," which is being activated in the present, meet and interact in the mirror.
Cf. "Seimei" (生命) refers to the comprehensive idea of life, being, existence and consciousness.