Installation view at Shanghai Minsheng Art Museum, China
Photo: MA Siliang
Counter Voice in Chinese Ink
Photo during performance
One Movie player, one projector, speakers.
2018/2020
Courtesy Akio Nagasawa Gallery
Miyajima counts down from 9 to 1. When he reaches "0," he inhales and holds his breath, and puts his face in the Chinese Ink. Then he repeats it many times.
The concept of the work is "Life and Death", ｗhen he counts down from 9 to 1, it means "Life"; he immerses his head into Chinese ink when "0" appears, it means "Death."
He was skeptical about leaving this performance as a video work because it is so important to keep the process, thoughts and reality of the performance. However, it cannot be seen from the video. Therefore, in 2020, he decided to make a drawing work part of the performance with video attached. The whole process becomes a real artwork. Details of the work are below.
Title: Counter Voice in Chinese Ink
Material: Performance video DVD and Blu-ray Disc (24min 26sec), pencil, Pigment ink, acrylic paint, collage on wooden panel with frame.
Size: 56 x 80.5 x 4.5 cm
ED: 3