Tabaimo

At a time like this when the major change is required globally, I believe the most important human ability is ‘imagination’. While each and every country is searching for the solution to end this viral crisis most suitable to its own culture, the current conditions of social distancing and remote work inevitably weaken our senses and sensibilities. I think how we give an image to information, much of which is not expressed or described, will significantly influence the post- pandemic future. In the past, I had adamantly refused to present my work online as the primary value of my work could only be grasped through the audience’s real experience of it. When, in what situation, and where they engage with my work—these conditions enabled my work to become the presence specific to each individual viewer. This infinite possibility, as expansive as the number of the audience, was what brought me joy. I was of the opinion that such a unique experience could never be expected in the case of online presentations. Today, when we inescapably depend on the internet, ‘the sensibility essential to human life’ would be lost and culture would deteriorate if we did not activate our imagination. On one hand, there may come a time, in a future society, when the face-to-face appreciation of artwork becomes a rare experience. On the other hand, if we humans exercise our ability to imagine, I have no doubt that the culture in the online world will be enriched. And, I ‘imagine’—when those who equipped with the keener sensibility and imaginative power had the rare opportunity of experiencing art in person, art would become even more valuable than it has ever been. ———Tabaimo

*Special online viewing of Tabaimo's works ended on June 14, 2020. For further information about her works, please visit galleries linked at the bottom of the page.