Japanese artist Masako Miki’s installation “Hyakki Yagyo, Night of a 100 Demons” is composed of felted sculptures, painted murals, and floor vinyls. It has been on display at Art Basel Miami Beach 2023 in the Meridians sector, presented by Ryan Lee Gallery and Cult Aimee Friberg.
“Presented as an enchanted parade for a vibrant world, Masako Miki’s immersive site-specific installation explores the intersection of mythology and contemporary social issues: challenging the notion of fixed identity by embracing dualities. Comprised of a set of felted wool sculptures, the semi-abstracted shapes achieved in bright colors and playful textures refer to the natural world and Tsukumogami shapeshifters (forgotten household items that become supernatural spirit entities). Serving as a bridge to engage the viewer, they evoke personal memories and connections to generate a sense of empathy. These fluid characters are rooted in Shinto animism, each representing constantly shifting mythologies within our segmented, plural reality.
Masako Miki (b. 1974 Osaka, Japan) is a multimedia artist whose work ranges installation and large-scale sculpture, printmaking, watercolor and felting. Miki has been included in solo and group exhibitions at the ICA San Jose, CA (2022); Katonah Museum of Art, NY (2022); Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, CA (2022); Jones Institute (2019); and de Young Museum, CA (2016), among others. Her large-scale sculptures were recently commissioned as a permanent installation at the Uber Technologies headquarters in Mission Bay, San Francisco. Her work is included in the collections of The Byrd Hoffman Water Mill Foundation, NY and the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, CA. She received her MFA from San Jose State University.” (source: Ryan Lee Gallery)
Masako Miki: Hyakki Yagyo, Night of a 100 Demons. The Galleries Ryan Lee and Cult Aimee Friberg at Art Basel Miami Beach 2023 Meridians. Miami Beach, December 10, 2023.
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