Pure Water

Information

Art Stage Singapore 2012 Jan. 12-15

“Pure water” is a core concept of Japanese religion called old Shinto which does not have any doctrine. If a holly place is kept pure and clean, god would descends to the place. There are many old shrines in Japan that embody this pure water concept.

This artwork visualizes an offering to god. The lacquered tray used in this artwork is an actual food tray used at Kamigamo Shrine, a representative shrine and at the same time one of the World Heritages. A Chinese character “無,” which means nothing (=everything) is put on the tray to express a holly offering to god.

NAOKO TOSA
Title: Pure Water
Year: 2011
Medium: Acrylic sculpture, Japanese lacquer tray, Japanese paper, wood
Dimensions (cm): W79.3 x D53.3 x H31