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THE BOOKCOVER FOR “HAKANAI HITSUJI-TACHI NO SHUKUEN’’ WRITTEN BY HONOBU YONEZAWA

Digital Drawing
18’ x 32’ inches x 5
2024

For this project, I chose to present my illustrations in the form of a traditional Asian folding screen. The screen not only serves as a decorative medium but also symbolizes the multi-layered narrative structure of the stories. By printing the illustrations on fabric, I aim to add texture and depth, creating a stronger emotional connection between the work and the audience.

This book consists of five independent yet subtly interconnected short stories, each delving into the darker and more complex sides of human nature. Beneath their seemingly mundane exteriors, these stories unravel suppressed emotions, hidden desires, and latent violence. The book’s narrative style blurs the boundaries of time, combining a sense of classical elegance with modern undertones, portraying lives caught between tranquility and chaos.

I chose this book because I’ve always been drawn to literature that carries a sense of classical elegance while simultaneously exuding an eerie, unsettling atmosphere. Stories like these often reveal hidden aspects of human nature, blending beauty with unease, which I find incredibly inspiring as both a reader and an artist.

The folding screen format resonates with this ambiguity of time and fluidity of storytelling. Each panel represents one story, standing alone yet intrinsically connected to the others. As the audience unfolds the screen, it mirrors the act of uncovering the mysteries within each narrative and delving deeper into the characters’ inner worlds. I hope you’ll take a moment to observe the intricate details in each illustration and immerse yourself in the psychological and emotional tension that defines this work.

Actual Installation Site

PERSEPHONE

Digital Drawing
30’ x 10’ inches x 4
2023

The story of Persephone in Greek mythology is a rich narrative that encompasses various aspects of society, philosophy, and feminist topics.

Free Will and Fate:Persephone's fate in the story seems to be manipulated by others, prompting contemplation on the relationship between free will and destiny. Does she have the power to shape her own destiny, or is she forced to accept a predetermined path?

Societal Topics: Power and Control: The story involves the ruler of the underworld, Hades, who kidnaps Persephone. This can be interpreted as an exploration of power and control, including dynamics of personal power, familial power, and power structures within society.

Status of Women: Persephone's story reflects ancient notions of the status of women. As
the queen of the underworld, she holds power in the realm below but is also subject to the dominion of Hades. This can stimulate reflections on the uncertainty of women's status in society and the distribution of power.

Women Under Authority: Persephone is forced to become the wife of Hades, and her decision-making power is restricted. This may lead to discussions about power imbalances faced by women in both family and society, as well as societal expectations.

INCOMPATIBLE

Digital drawing
12’ x 18’ inches x 5
2023

In a bizarre illustrative style, vividly depicting the lives and roles of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) in global society, this artwork explores the patterns of existence for this common psychological condition. This group undergoes intense emotional fluctuations, sometimes venturing to the extremes of psychological edges. This mental state not only affects those around them but also leads to self-doubt and intense emotions towards others in intimate
relationships, ranging from initial possessiveness to later stages of frenzied aversion. Simultaneously, they harbor a deep sense of insecurity, fearing abandonment in social relationships. Therefore, I attempt to convey the current and future state of borderline personality disorder through visual storytelling, capturing the contradictions within. Each illustration highlights a key characteristic of the group.

Insomnia: Depicting scenes of difficulty falling asleep at night, with two different beds representing the East and West, much like a time difference. This reflects inner anxiety
and unease.

Long-term Treatment: Weekly brain CT scans and psychological counseling act as a means of draining the troubles from their minds, followed by data analysis to understand their current mental state. Viewers can sense the ongoing process of this group undergoing long-term treatment.

Emotional Stability Demands: The group faces societal demands on their emotions, cramming their medication for emotional control into a piggy bank-like container to meet public expectations.

Reflection on Self and Relationships: Group members deeply reflect on their relationships with themselves and others, akin to looking into a mirror. Every statement is observed with the understanding that it could be either a sweet treat or a cutting blade.

“Props” in the Workplace: They exist in the workplace like tools, where their sensitivity is disregarded. They become vessels for the thoughts and comments of superiors.

The Non Unique Me

Digital drawing, Acrylic, Thermal paper
30’ x 20’ inches x 10
2023

I inspired by the work "Die Austreibung des Anderen" by South Korean writer Byung-chul Han, I delved into the impact of rapid technological advancement and the explosion of big data on human cognitive abilities. This inspiration reflects the phenomenon where people, in a society characterized by the swift dissemination of information, become engrossed in short video platforms like TikTok, which have both disseminating and educational functions, resulting in a loss of their ability for independent thought.
Through this series of illustrated books, I revealed how the development of technology has led to a significant shift in the societal atmosphere, as individuals exercise selective reception of information and exert excessive control over their own rights. This has culminated in a society that increasingly rejects exposure to different perspectives and dissenting voices, as individuals can "choose" the videos they like while refusing to "receive" content they find uninteresting or disagreeable.
The scenarios depicted in the illustrations prompt individuals to ponder whether the trend of excessive reliance on data and selective information consumption might lead to an extreme intolerance of dissent in society. Those who happen to realize this pathological trend may be viewed as cult members, subsequently forced to disappear or undergo transformation to become a "conformist existence" like the majority. This triggers a profound reflection on individual freedom, information control, and societal attitudes towards dissent, prompting viewers to contemplate similar issues in real life while immersed in the illustrated books.

“NO KIDS”

Digital drawing
10’ x 16’ inches x 6
2023

Since 2022, South Korea has seen warning signs prohibiting children from entering public places like cafes and parks, and this trend has spread to China.

Instances like boys peeking into girls' restrooms, children teasing dogs leading to a ban on pets in public areas, and school bullying have fueled societal aversion towards children, encapsulating the term "spoiled brat." This reflects deficiencies in family education and the impact of societal pressures.

In East Asian societies, an implicit rule exists against "impolite" or "uncultured" behavior. However, economic constraints often lead to exhaustion in families, resulting in educational shortcomings for children. This economic model also fuels online condemnation of child behavior, giving rise to the phenomenon known as "child-hating syndrome."

Taro

Digital drawing
7’ x 5’ inches x 5
2022

This series of illustrations have inspired by Japanese folklore: Ryuuko Taro, who lives in an arid and poor village. Taro was originally a lazy but strong boy. Once he hears why his mother left her hometown, because o f hiding a meal o f fish alone from the village people and being punished by the gods to become a dragon, Taro embarks on a journey to find his mother. In this process, he needs to fight all kinds of difficulties and ghosts and gods to give others help so that h e is no longer the former lazy boy and finds his mother.

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