Why did Hiraga Mari decide to integrate the concept of 'water' into the exhibition? Also, what is the significance of 'Tomoe' in Noh to the artist? Hiraga Mari shares the beauty of art and Noh by talking about the artworks on display in the following video and text.
Flower Visage
No one knows about life today Flower petals falling know this world is empty and ephemeral Running water doesn’t have a mind but still purifies nature The world is all serene Circle of pleasure
Consideration gives rise to tenacity The mind floats in the air and becomes a flower Following a shadow that doesn’t exist The gap between the moments can’t be seen Whimsical shadows are dancing Shadows are losing places to go Flowers become embers and eventually they become memories
Memory is an illusion The mirror before one's own eyes is no longer a mirror Everything is in a fog being pulled into the swirling white world Consciousness acknowledges existence Existence comes from recognition
Sharpness Anger Shapes change into both ogres and deities A match for a thousand The appearance of the flowers Gallant Elegant Beautiful The kindness of bravery becomes a love of dedication Tears shedding under the shade of a pine tree
A single flower petal in the warm light Slowly fluttering, falling becoming a beautiful Hanaikada* Goes away
If wishes come true Moonlight reflected on pure water Go boating Once again with you Like on that day
—Mari Hiraga, Flower Visage, 2021, ALIEN Art Centre
*Hanaikada: The scene that the clusters of cherry blossoms that float along the surface of a body of water after fluttering down from nearby trees.
