Against the current with ‘Koinobori Now!’
In 2018, an installation at the National Art Center Tokyo glorified the ‘koinobori’ tradition of carp-shaped windsocks.
‘Koinobori Now! Installation by Reiko Sudo, Adrien Gardère and Seiichi Saito’ The National Art Center, Tokyo, 2018 Photo: Ken KATO
Koinobori are carp-shaped windsocks, mainly used to celebrate Children’s Day in Japan. According to Chinese legend, carp would swim up the Yellow River against the current and finish their journey by flying off towards the firmament, transforming into dragons as they went. They therefore symbolise tenacity and elevation.
Modern patterns on traditional structures
Reiko Sudo, a textile designer, created in collaboration with French designer Adrien Gardère a unique installation of over 300 koinobori in a space measuring 2000 m2 by 8 m high in the National Art Center Tokyo (NACT) between April and May 2018.
To complete this massive task, Reiko Sudo also joined forces with Seiichi Saito, a member of the prominent collective of Japanese artists Rhizomatiks. The latter injected dynamic movement into the installation to bring these swimming carps to life. Koinovori Now! is an invitation to indulge in reverie.
Koinobori Now! (2018) is an exhibition by Reiko Sudo, Adrien Gardère, and Seiichi Saito at the National Art Center Tokyo.
Address: 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku Tokyo
‘Koinobori Now! Installation by Reiko Sudo, Adrien Gardère and Seiichi Saito’ The National Art Center, Tokyo, 2018 Photo: Ken KATO
Installation view: ‘Koinobori Now! Installation by Reiko Sudo, Adrien Gardère and Seiichi Saito’ The National Art Center, Tokyo, 2018 Photo: Ken KATO
‘Koinobori Now! Installation by Reiko Sudo, Adrien Gardère and Seiichi Saito’ The National Art Center, Tokyo, 2018 Photo: Ken KATO
‘Koinobori Now! Installation by Reiko Sudo, Adrien Gardère and Seiichi Saito’ The National Art Center, Tokyo, 2018 Photo: Ken KATO
‘Koinobori Now! Installation by Reiko Sudo, Adrien Gardère and Seiichi Saito’ The National Art Center, Tokyo, 2018 Photo: Ken KATO
‘Koinobori Now! Installation by Reiko Sudo, Adrien Gardère and Seiichi Saito’ The National Art Center, Tokyo, 2018 Photo: Ken KATO
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