I am attracted to discarded, industrial, mass produced materials in our life, such as chewing gum on the street, pockets from used clothes, bathroom tissue rolls, envelopes with windows, fliers. It is like finding unexpected treasures in rejected things. They were not designed to be main stream, but to support others. I could be them. I may be them. I am creating works in a seemingly illogical way, contrary to the materials intended purpose. These materials motivate me to create space/air, installations - which are often interactive and site specific. My process includes the participation of many other people who help me collect the discarded materials, even though it is easier to throw them away. In some cases, people even pay postage to send materials to me. In 1996, for example, people collected junk mail which I made into paper mache.
My work is very personal, born out of the desire to make art, not riding the wave of the Eco-Green movement. Since I lived in Japan, I felt that I was different, a minority not majority, hybrid not pure, unique not graceful -- as though I was something discarded. Instead of a trying to merge with the main stream, I wanted to invite them to my side, which could be ironical and comfortable, cynical and beautiful, witty and stupid, cheap and expensive. In a very personal way, the audience interaction makes my work real and active. I like to highlight the unique characteristics in each discarded material that I work with. The stains, dents and rips speak of its background, and in the process of creation, I begin to respect each item and myself.
Often, my work involves intense simple labor such as ripping, cutting, gluing. By empowering ignored, discarded materials, I am empowering myself, and it is my way to challenge society.
My work is very personal, born out of the desire to make art, not riding the wave of the Eco-Green movement. Since I lived in Japan, I felt that I was different, a minority not majority, hybrid not pure, unique not graceful -- as though I was something discarded. Instead of a trying to merge with the main stream, I wanted to invite them to my side, which could be ironical and comfortable, cynical and beautiful, witty and stupid, cheap and expensive. In a very personal way, the audience interaction makes my work real and active. I like to highlight the unique characteristics in each discarded material that I work with. The stains, dents and rips speak of its background, and in the process of creation, I begin to respect each item and myself.
Often, my work involves intense simple labor such as ripping, cutting, gluing. By empowering ignored, discarded materials, I am empowering myself, and it is my way to challenge society.
