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Beyond the Border – Tide

 

This week, one of the most moving artworks of the Setouchi Triennale 2016 was dismantled, and it made me really sad. Sure, it never was meant to be permanent, it’s somewhat short lifespan was actually part of the whole point, but I don’t know, I wish it would have been possible to let it run its course. I guess some logistic contraints or something decided otherwise. I also wish I could have tell you about it before it ended.

So, from last July until last week, could be found on a beach in the village of Obe, on the north coast of Shodoshima, a wonderful work of art called Beyond the Border – Tide, by Lin Shuen Long who already granted us the wonderful Beyond the Border – the Ocean.

Here is what it looked like:

 

Beyond the Border - Tide

 

I assume that you want to know more.

These were 196 children made of a mixture of sand and starch (and more, I forgot the exact composition), one for each country recognized by Japan. They’re all facing the country they represent with the coordinates (of the capital city I believe) and the distance between those coordinates and Obe written on them.

 

Beyond the Border - Tide

 

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Tokyo’s coordinates

 

Beyond the Border - Tide
Not sure what capital city is 12,420 km from Shodoshima. Anyone?

 

Now, for the sad and moving part of the work. Each of these children represent children that were lost at sea, and because of the nature of those sculptures, they are meant to erode and disappear little by little because of the wind, the tide, storms and other natural elements.

This gave to the installation such a unique atmosphere, a mix of beauty, gloom, peacefulness, eeriness and other similar feelings.

 

Beyond the Border - Tide

 

Beyond the Border - Tide

 

Beyond the Border - Tide
And when a statue is completely, a white rose – that was hidden inside – is all that’s left.

 

 

beyond-the-border-tide-17

 

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The original mold and various elements linked to the installation or showing its creation were exhibited in the building nearby.

As mentioned at the beginning of the post, I had assumed that the artwork was going to stay there until pretty much every statue has dissolved, but actually, Lin Shuen Long returned to Obe this week and took it down. He posted some beautiful pictures of the ceremony they held for the closing of the artwork.

Because of its somewhat remote location, I had the chance to go see Beyond the Border – Tide, only once, so don’t expect many more pictures about it on the blog. I only kept a couple (the best ones?) for later, but that’s all.

 

 


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2 thoughts on “Beyond the Border – Tide”

  1. I wasn’t really interested in this artwork but after hearing about it I now regret not making the effort to go. Then again, I also regret nothing of my time on Shodoshima as it was my first time to visit. I have a lot I still want to see and hopefully I can do it next time.

    Thanks for the photos!

    1. You’re welcome.
      Same as you. First hearing about it, I wasn’t really thinking anything about it, except that it was too far. Then after seeing and hearing more and more about the work, I really wanted to see it, and it didn’t disappoint. One of the “winners” of this year, in my opinion.
      Oh, talking about this, I realize that I still don’t know who this year’s Grand Prize Winner is…
      Mmmmh…

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