2017

salt, water, beakers, aluminium, acrylic, motors

W 700 mm × L 700 mm × H 700 mm

transition is an investigation into the notion of time and space in transformations between natural and artificial matter. The idea behind this project was to explore our current environment, which is surrounded by matter that is merged between nature and artefacts. By crossing the boundary between these in an integrated expression, transition demonstrates new aesthetic qualities of sounds as the emergence of time and space. This project consists of two contrasting pieces, [systemic] and [characteristic], which take opposite directions in the transition process between natural and artificial mechanisms to investigate the diversity and immensity of the central idea.

A sound installation transition [characteristic] (2017) represents the conversion of artificial mechanisms into natural ones. This piece is a mechanical system that creates acoustic reactions through salt crystallisation. Salt is an essential mineral to life and cannot be produced by living organisms. Some salt may be the residual substance of brine or ancient seas, and some may have arrived from outer space. Although salt itself is non-living matter, it shows life-like behaviour in the crystallisation process – it creates networks to form its structure. The sounds in this piece are triggered by the mechanical system, while the texture changes depending on the crystallisation process over the few months of the exhibition, at a speed that eludes human perception.

organised by Tokyo Arts and Space

photo: Ken Kato, photo courtesy of Tokyo Arts and Space