Exhibit | Chiho Aoshima: Rebirth of the World

Photo: City Glow 2005 Chiho Aoshima, Japanese, born 1974 Chromogenic print 66 15/16 × 66 15/1 6in. (170 × 170 cm) Andre Sakhai

“The evolution of human civilization is great; humankind thinks nature precious, but it is difficult for humankind and nature to coexist,” observes Chiho Aoshima. This tension, which seems inherent to our existence, plays itself over and over again until the grand finale: the big bang in reverse, better known as the apocalypse. It is here that human imagination often runs amok, envisioning end times as the very last scene of the show. But Aoshima understands that life goes on, that only in death can we find rebirth. It is at this point in the cycle that Aoshima creates a world, a world that stands apart through her futuristic view of renewal after catastrophe.

Also: Exhibit | Larisa Pilinsky: Collage Paintings

Born in Japan in 1974, Aoshima is a Pop artist. She began her career as a member of Takashi Murakami’s Kaikai Kiki Collective. In 2005, she began a solo career and began showing work in museums around the world. Her newest exhibition, “Rebirth of the World” is currently on view at the Seattle Art Museum through October 4, 2015. The exhibition includes a series of works on rice paper and prints, as well as a video collaboration with New Zealand animator Bruce Ferguson to animate her drawings into a living, moving world.

Influenced by anime and manga, Aoshima merges the cuteness of Japanese kawaii culture with a darker force, a melancholic knowingness that comes from the deepest experiences of loss. Aoshima understands the conflict of human nature is an internal war with itself, a war that will play itself out for better and for worse. In Aoshima’s new world, we feel a sense of possibility and hope that reminds us that after death, we begin once more.

Aoshima’s video collaboration with Ferguson is titled Takaamanohara, which has great personal meaning for Aoshima. Takaamanohara (“the plain of high heaven”) is a place where Japanese Shino deities reside. A Shinto myth explains that at the time of creation, light, pure elements branched off to become heaven; while heavy, turbid elements branched off to become earth. Heaven (ama) became the home of the gods of heaven, while earth became the home of gods of the land.

In “Rebirth of the World” we enter into a fantastical landscape, where the future meets the bleak with a positive attitude. There is no fear in Aoshima’s world, just a sense of mesmerizing wonder and possibility. Smartphones can be buildings. Buildings will be able to take themselves for walks. Spirits, ghosts, and UFOs travel as they please.

A Chicken Girl Looking Over Her Shoulder 2009 Chiho Aoshima, Japanese, born 1974 Color on Japanese rice paper 13 × 9 1/4 in. (33 × 23.5 cm) ©2009 Chiho Aoshima/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Aoshima observes, “My work feels like strands of my thoughts that have flown around the universe before coming back to materialize.” In “Rebirth of the World” we enter into a surreal landscape that bids us to let go of all preconceived notions and embrace a positive outlook on life and take heart for the end is but an illusion and the best may be yet to come.

“Rebirth of the World” is currently on view at the Seattle Art Museum through October 4, 2015.

Miss Rosen is a New York-based writer, curator, and brand strategist. There is nothing she adores so much as photography and books. A small part of her wishes she had a proper library, like in the game of Clue. Then she could blaze and write soliloquies to her in and out of print loves.