You Ru Maru
Dance with me・Water Mirror
～Things passed down from generation to generation～
Yambaru is located in the northern part of Okinawa main island. Nurtured by rich water sources and bright sunlight, Yambaru preserves an unspoiled nature with a vibrant ecosystem that is unique in the world. “Water” and 'light,' the key elements of Yambaru, are also essential to human life, however, they have become ordinary and taken for granted with the passage of time, and the presence of these elements is becoming less and less noticeable, while our spirituality is also being weakened.
Okinawa has built its own unique culture by blending a wide variety of cultures. In Yambaru, the tangible and intangible original landscapes have been left behind, and the memories, history, and atmosphere of the people that have been built up over time and space have been handed down from generation to generation in the mountains, rivers, plants, and nature itself, and there are also the human figures. I believe that this magnificent sense of beauty will be needed and rediscovered on a global scale in the future.
Water, like a mirror, shows us various worlds by absorbing and reflecting the light that reflects the world. In my work, I layered on the image of “tangible and intangible things dance hand in hand in this world,” like an association game, such as the circulation of water as it changes its form, the beautiful scenery of Yambaru nurtured by water and light, and the gratitude for what has been handed down and how it will be passed on again.
Exhibition hall
Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa 1490-1 Kise, Nago City, Okinawa
ARTIST
You Ru Maru
Art Collective by Suguru Funaki and Rie Sumi.
They express the connection and integration of different fields with the concept of “Yui” (connection), “nagare” (flow), and “meguru” (circle) by using various techniques. They create artworks and products acting as meditation devices that awaken the sense of relaxation in the mind and body. In addition to creating three-dimensional works with Japanese traditions and techniques and producing light spaces in commercial facilities, hotels, and traditional buildings such as castles throughout Japan, they also sells lighting in department stores and offers hands-on art “origami workshops” in which both children and adults can participate. They has also participated in exhibitions overseas, including London and Paris, and has received favorable reviews.