Shape
July 16, 2021
Composition Title: Shape
My Art of Voice and Body; performance, livestream and video work
Composition and performance by Aine E. Nakamura
Duration: 14:15 (excerpt 4:27)
Premiered at The Gallatin Galleries for my solo exhibition Circle hasu: We plant seeds in the spring of mountains (Jul 16-Aug 13 2021)
During my solo exhibition, which focused on recovery, healing, and a space to listen to the inner, I presented multiple performative installations in addition to my main performance on July 26. The performances were viewed from the sidewalk of Washington Pl at Broadway in New York City, and live-steamed with the support of The Gallatin Galleries, Angelina DeSocio, Karolina Ochoa-Montes, Sophia Nappa, Lewis Fender, and Zac Geinzer. The performances were documented by videographer Jeffrey Yoon and artist Ayaka Fujii, and the media was installed at the gallery during the period of the exhibition. The livestream videos can be viewed at The Gallatin Galleries website.
I presented this work on the first day of the exhibition. For the whole work, please see here.
My grandfather was moving his legs in his unconsciousness on a hospital bed a few weeks before his passing.
In my body in hospital and recovery, I saw a new-born infant. The baby was also moving the legs so gently as if the baby cuddled the air.
I practiced walking the corridor, feeling the distance between me and the trees may not be shortened easily.
OKAASAN
October 29, 2021
Composition Title: おかあさん Okaasan (Mother)
Art of Voice and Body; performance and video work
Composition and performance by Aine E. Nakamura
In collaboration with artist Aloe Corry
Video by Valdrin Thaqi
Documented and On View at Green Hill Gallery, Berlin, Germany, at the exhibition TONGUE FOLLOWS THE TOOTHACHE
Duration: 8:30
By showing my back and facing the wall, I am not embarrassed at all to call my mother and talk to my mother as if I wish to call her at the end of the day.
Why save it? I would call you now, Okaasan.
Words:
髪を洗った後、白髪を見ていた。おもいつめなくていい。私は今日ふきそうじをする。あらっと思い、手にアルガンオイルをぬると、そのしぐさと私の手が母を思い出させる。
After I washed my hair, I was looking at my white hair. Today, I wipe the floor. My hands are dry. I put the argan oil on my hands. The gestures of my hands are just like my mother's.
My mother held me from behind and cried with me.
おかあさんは私をうしろから抱きしめた 一緒に泣きながら
Through this work, and creative and performative process, I am simultaneously asking the meanings of words, voice, and song. Aren't our words and vocal nuances occupied with cultural and social grammars, and our (especially my ethnic) gestures invaded by nationalistic usage and connotation, taking advantage of or even enforcing orientalism, that the most essential communal sense of and trust in voice, song and words may even be almost cut from our bodies?
I wish to entrust my self that we still have these sounds.
Artist Aloe Corry created drawings upon and out from the performance; the video work documented by artist Valdrin Thaqi and the drawings were shown at the exhibition Tongue Follows the Toothache at Green Hill Gallery, Berlin (November 5 - December 5 2021).
Now Our Hands are Safe
October 26 & 27
Title: Now Our Hands are Safe
Art of Voice and Body; performance and video work
Performance by Aine E. Nakamura
In collaboration with artist Aloe Corry
Video by Valdrin Thaqi
Documented and On View at Green Hill Gallery, Berlin, Germany at exhibition TONGUE FOLLOWS THE TOOTHACHE
Duration: 8:45
I created two performance works: Now Our Hands are Safe and Okaasan (Mother), through collaborative processes with artist Aloe Corry. We focused on following traces, strings, and the movement of hands. I was also inspired by sketches based around the phrase "Now Your Hands are Safe" by Aloe Corry. This led me to investigate whether I could make my hands safe through my listening. The performance, originally Now "my" hands are safe, became Now "our" hands are safe. I would realize safety is not a promised thing.
As part of our collaboration, Aloe Corry created drawings exploring the physicality and themes of each performance: Now Your Hands are Safe; graphite on paper, 4 drawings - each 29.7 x 21 cm.
The video works and the drawings were shown at the exhibition Tongue Follows the Toothache at Green Hill Gallery, Berlin (November 5 - December 5, 2021). The video works were documented by artist Valdrin Thaqi.
Late Autumn
November 5, 2021
Title: Late Autumn
Art of Voice and Body; performance
Performance by Aine E. Nakamura
Duration: 10:44
Premiered at The Green Hill Gallery, Berlin, Germany for the opening of the exhibition TONGUE FOLLOWS THE TOOTHACHE.
