Chim↑Pom from Smappa!Group
Anaban ／ Who where what is Prototype
This work is themed on “Naraku（Hellhole)” and features the robot “Pepper-kun” and a searchlight. The word “Naraku” means “bottomless hell” in Buddhism, and in the Kabuki theater of the Edo period, it meant the space underneath the stage, and the people who worked there were called “Anaban”.
On the other hand, the concepts of “hole” and “underground” in Okinawa may also be associated with memories of war. In this work, Pepper-kun continues to search for something with a searchlight in his hand.
The act of “searching” includes “ missing something,” and Pepper-kun's actions represent a never-ending quest and an existence of uncertainty. Pepper-kun on exhibit reacts to the visitor and points the searchlight toward the visitor, but quickly shifts its gaze in a different direction. While its actions show its interest in humans, one might also notice a mixture of hostility, favoritism, or anticipation. However, Pepper-kun's intentions are unclear, and what he is trying to get the audience to look for is unknown.
Pepper-kun's friendly appearance will give many audiences a sense of relief. However, its insides have been completely remodeled and no longer have their original programming. What if this robot were a military weapon?
This Pepper-kun is a parasite or hacked into the concept of ”Naraku”. As a result, the robot stands here, wandering around the “Naraku,” searching for something, and then missing it. What is this robot searching for in Okinawa?
Exhibition hall
Ogimi Village Former Shioya Elementary School 538 Shioya, Ogimi Village, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa
ARTIST
photo : Seiha Yamaguchi
Chim↑Pom from Smappa!Group
An artist collective formed in Tokyo in 2005 by Ryuta Ugi, Yasutaka Hayashi, Erii, Masataka Okada, Motomu Inaoka, and Toshinori Mizuno.
Pursuing the realities of the times, they have produced a series of critical works that intervene in contemporary society with all their might. In addition to participating in exhibitions worldwide, they also develop various projects independently. They also actively curate exhibitions and events of various genres and other artists living in the same era, transforming, and expanding the ways of being artists and the situation of the "periphery." Their project-based works are in the collections of Japanese museums, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Centre Georges Pompidou, and they are currently working to open up a new era as a leading Asian collective. In 2022, a solo exhibition was held at the Mori Art Museum.