7/2015, Graphite on paper, Acrylic, LED matrix, micro-controler, H:40 x W:32 x D:2cm
On March 11th 2011, the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami occurred. The tsunami damaged Fukushima nuclear plants and nuclear radiation was spread around the area as a consequence. Areas within the 20km from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant have become evacuation zone. Like Chernobyl, Fukushima has become a danger and unstable problem of Japan, which will take decades to fully stop the radiation. This work depicts cherry blossoms in the contaminated zone of Fukushima – the bloomed flowers are beautiful but the space is contaminated and toxicated. Atomic energy is the powerful tool which could destroy human DNA and even the whole world which reminds the contingent power.
The title ‘Utoxia’ is a mixture of two words ‘Utopia’ and ‘toxic’ where there is a beautifully silent place where nobody can enter. Japanese religion Shinto’s shrine in the picture symbolizes both the ironic feeling of goddess and beautiful toxication.
The dot lights that move and change symbols of nuclear, toxic and enter-prohibition marks suggest the invisible danger of the place. It also creates a contrast to the nature and technology/human-invention. It is strangely said: “flowers in the radiation contaminated zone bloomed more beautifully in a bigger amount than usual.”
The video of the work:
tomieseo.net 