Yoruko’s Dance
I went to the Yamagata Biennale. What a fascinating experience…
The art festival allowed me to see many high-quality works, but at the 2018 Yamagata Biennale there was one project that truly stood apart: “Yoruko’s Dance.”
“Yoruko’s Dance” is an installation planned and produced by “spoken words project,” led by fashion designer Masahiro Tobita — a collaborative work made together with young people living in Yamagata.
“Yoruko’s Dance” is a project inside the Yamagata Prefectural Museum “Bunshokan.” There are multiple Yoruko, and they can mainly be spotted in the courtyard of Bunshokan.
The sheets laid out across the courtyard are handmade pieces, each shaped to the size of one tatami mat.
Sometimes, however, they roam around inside the building. Not knowing where they are is what makes them Yoruko. And, essentially, they dance. Because it’s the courtyard, you can watch from the 2nd and 3rd floors of Bunshokan as well.
I was lucky enough to capture a video.
A dance in silence.
After watching the dance, I was startled as I was leaving the courtyard! Standing motionless next to the exit door of the courtyard was a Yoruko.
According to a volunteer, there are four Yoruko in total.
How many Yoruko did you find?
Overview
Michinooku Art Festival Yamagata Biennale 2018
Dates: September 1 – September 24 (open only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Monday holidays during the period) *13 days of opening in total
Exhibition Title = Yoruko’s Dance
Exhibition Venue = Bunshokan Courtyard
Opening Hours = 9:00 – 16:30
Material Support = Nakagawa Chemical Inc.
Cooperation = Ikuko Harada (Clammbon), Tetsuo Yanagida, Yurie Igawa, Rin Enomoto, Yukari Osawa, Tohoku University of Art and Design, Department of Fine Arts, Textile Course
