teamLab, 2011, Animation, 6min 23sec (9:16), Calligraphy: Sisyu
“Live” is teamLab’s latest artwork in the “Spatial Calligraphy” series, a series of artworks that offer a contemporary interpretation of traditional Japanese calligraphy in an abstract space. The calligraphic character used in this work [生]、”ikiru” which means “to live”, “to exist”, was produced by Sisyu and was drawn to resemble “The Old Plum Tree“ by Kano Sansetsu. Using 3D animation teamLab has expressed the vitality and life of the tree, the powerful force of nature to survive, to “Live”. The work begins with the winter season and expresses the beautiful cool sereneness of winter snow, the harshness of winter and the dormant energy of nature. Sparrows fly in between the branches of the plum tree, and the winter moon is high in the sky. Gradually the plum tree comes into bloom and as if in competition Japanese bellflowers come into flower. With the arrival of spring the snow melts away and becomes a gently flowing stream, spring brings color to the world and butterflies gently flutter around the plum trees branches. In Japan the flowering of the plum tree marks the start of spring, and in this work the character “Live” becomes a floating plum Bonsai, a living organism, a planet that is alive.
[EXHIBITION]
2011 TOKYO DESIGNERS WEEK 2011, Meiji Jingu Gaien, Tokyo *dome ver.
2011 TARO LOVE, Shibuya Seibu, Tokyo, Japan
2011 JALAPAGOS, MITSUBISHI-JISHO ARTIUM, Fukuoka, Japan
2011 Collateral Event of the 54th International Art Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia "Future Pass – From Asia to the World, Abbazia di San Gregorio, Venezia, Italy
2011 Art Fair “ART HK”, Hong Kong, China
2011 Art Fair “VOLTA7”, Basel, Switzerland
2011 teamLab “LIVE!” Exhibition, Kaikai Kiki Gallery Taipei, Taiwan