New
York, September 21, 2010 —
At Senbazuru, a new interactive installation by Toshiko
Nishikawa, viewers are drawn to gaze at a world within a world.
Debuting October 29, 2010, at the Vilcek Foundation Gallery
in New York City, visitors to the exhibit will be met by 1,000
small mirrored orbs, enticingly and purposefully suspended
within reach from the gallery ceiling, where they form a reflective
web.
Japanese-born
Nishikawa was inspired by a dream she had many years ago to
create a microcosmic representation of the world. Senbazuru
is that dream come true. Each of the 1,000 orbs is connected
to those around it, and by peering into the concave mirror
contained within each orb, visitors not only see themselves,
but become linked to those standing nearby, who are captivated
by neighboring orbs. In this way, visitors gain insight into
their own tiny universe and inner life, while recognizing
themselves as connected to the global community, a concept
representative of Ms. Nishikawa's sensibilities as an artist
and human being.
Reflecting
on this unique and groundbreaking exhibition, Rick Kinsel,
Vilcek Foundation Executive Director, said, “We all
can benefit, from time to time, by getting a look at ourselves
from a new perspective—the way it feels when we turn
a corner and unexpectedly are met with our own image in a
storefront window, That remarkable sensation is magnified
hundreds of times over when revolving around and with Toshiko's
fascinating creation.”
As Ms.
Nishikawa explains this exhibition offers a way to see oneself
in 1,000 different ways (senbazuru is Japanese for
“1,000 origami cranes” and refers to a prayer
for others' health and hapiness). It is also, in part, a commentary
on her own immigration experience. When living in Japan (she
was born in Yokohama), this peace-loving and community-minded
artist says she saw herself in 1,000 different ways, as someone
connected not just to every other person, but to every living
organism around her. She also became aware of her own inner
beauty, as well as the beauty that exists in nature and in
those around her. This awakening now manifests throughout
Ms. Nishikawa's work and informs many of her decisions as
an artist.
...............................................................................................
THE VILCEK FOUNDATION
The Vilcek
Foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marcia Vilcek,
immigrants from the former Czecholovakia. The mission of the
Foundation, to honor the contributions of foreign-born scholars
and artists living in the United States, was inspired by the
couple's careers in biomedical science and art history, respectively,
as well as their personal experiences and appreciation for
the opportunities they received as newcomers to this country.
The Foundation hosts events to promote the work of immigrants,
and awards annual prizes to prominent immigrant biomedical
scientists and artists who make outstanding contributions
to American society.
To learn
more about the Vilcek Foundation, visit www.vilcek.org
We
thank the Vilcek Foundation for providing the press release
and information
for additional
information and see more work by Toshiko Nishikawa, visit
the artist websites:
Toshiko
official website | ArtistRegister
Website
|
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| Toshiko
holding one of her orbs |
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| Detail
from the Installation |
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