My Sanctuary

Tokyosai Feb 1st-4th
1 Rue de l'Ancien Canal, 93500 Pantin, France

This interactive art was created for the Japanese art festival "Tokyosaï" held in Paris in February 2024. It is an interactive art installation designed to be created alongside guests visiting "Tokyosaï." We defined the space of manga cafes, symbolic of Japanese culture, as "My Sanctuary," the most pure and joyful place. The artwork involves filling the space of white bookshelves with stickers resembling manga spines, with visitors participating in the process.

The titles on the manga spines represent the life of Fantasista Utamaro. I grew up in a complex family environment, far from ordinary, and harbored a deep dislike for my birth. Until two years ago, I managed to sustain my existence by prioritizing contributions to the world. However, despite societal recognition, I couldn't find happiness as there was a profound lack of self-love in my creations.

Two years ago, my wife and I were blessed with a child. Witnessing my child's growth with boundless positivity, I realized the folly of living without self-love. I began to reflect on my life and make efforts to love myself. About a year ago, the emotion of "wanting to live" emerged within me. A profound and gentle feeling blossomed within me. I learned that loving myself means loving the world and recognized that my life is just a small point in the long history of the world. This artwork symbolizes the beginning of my new life.

Architect by Constant Benfradj Esmelin
Photography by Soma Hirata