Temporal prizes within the endless eat no closed loops Huhtamaki Wab at MIRROR 2022

MIRROR | Yonaoshi by Huhtamaki Wab

Thursday 17 Mar, 5:00pmSaturday 11 Jun, 2:00pm
Thursday 17 Mar, 5:00pmSaturday 11 Jun, 2:00pm
MIRROR
Arts University Plymouth Tavistock Place, Plymouth, PL4 8AT
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="http://www.mirrorplymouth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIRROR</a> presents <a href="https://mirrorplymouth.com/whats-on/yonaoshi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Yonaoshi</em> by Huhtamaki Wab</a></strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong><strong>Thu 17 Mar 2022 - Sat 11 Jun 2022</strong></strong><br /></p> <p dir="ltr">"Yonaoshi" comes from kanji, a Japanese writing system of symbols that represent words or ideas. "Yo", meaning world or society and "naoshi", meaning renewal. In Japanese mythology the term Yonaoshi has also been attributed to a giant catfish called the Namazu that causes earthquakes.</p> <p dir="ltr">After a devastating earthquake in 1855, woodblock prints were circulated of Edo people enacting their revenge on the Namazu. As the working classes had to rebuild the city and could charge far more for this work than previously; the elite had to stop hoarding their wealth. With this, prints started to depict images of the working classes celebrating with the Namazu. This mythical creature of destruction now became a symbol of good fortune and with Edo’s reconstruction a symbol for renewal.</p> <p dir="ltr">At a time in which society lives with a constant threat of ecological collapse, the concept of ‘world renewal’ is increasingly present. Wab explores our relationship to the idea of world renewal throughout the exhibition, taking imagery of the Namazu from Edo woodblock prints and our relationship with the more-than-human as a starting point.<br /><br />Through a wide scope of techniques that inform the visual language of “Yonaoshi”, Wab ties seemingly disparate references, scales and locations to create a web of relations that reflects on our place in this world.<br /></p> <p dir="ltr">Huhtamaki Wab was born in Tokyo, Japan, 1984, Lives and works in Cornwall, UK, and is one of two artists selected for <a href="https://mirrorplymouth.com/projects/south-west-showcase" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>The South West Showcase</strong></a> 2022. SWS is a recurring open call platform (est. 2013) run by MIRROR, showcasing artists from across the South West region. The showcase aims to support artists working and living in the South West through a year-long programme of mentoring and support with an exhibition outcome; presenting a long-term commitment to profiling and supporting the practises of artists in this region.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong><strong>Join us for the opening event on Thursday 17 March from 5pm-7pm.<br /></strong></strong><strong><strong><br /></strong></strong>—<br /></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.mirrorplymouth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIRROR</a> is a public gallery, events programme and online resource based out of and supported by Plymouth College of Art. For upcoming exhibitions and events visit <a href="http://www.mirrorplymouth.com/" target="_blank" dir="ltr" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.mirrorplymouth.com</a></p> <p dir="ltr">—</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Opening times: </strong><br />Monday-Friday: 9am - 5pm, <br />Saturday: 10am - 2pm<br />Sunday: Closed</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Please note, it is free to visit MIRROR. The gallery is closed every Sunday.</strong></p>

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