Cover Installation view of Yang's "Sonic Eruption Upside Down – Slender", (2024) "Sonic Eruption Upside Down – Bold" (2024) (from left to right) in Matabe, Naoshima Island, (Photo: Benesse Holdings, Inc. courtesy Kukje Gallery)
Installation view of Yang's "Sonic Eruption Upside Down – Slender", (2024) "Sonic Eruption Upside Down – Bold" (2024) (from left to right) in Matabe, Naoshima Island, (Photo: Benesse Holdings, Inc. courtesy Kukje Gallery)
1 / 1
Renowned Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Korean installation artist Haegue Yang have created an unexpected art experience called ‘Ring of Fire - Solar Yang & Lunar Weerasethakul’ on Japan’s art island Naoshima
When Haegue Yang was awarded the 13th Bennese Art Prize in 2022, by Benesse Holdings and the Singapore Art Museum (SAM), she knew she would be commissioned to create a work for the Benesse Art Site on Japan’s Naoshima island, but she didn’t know it would turn into a serendipitous collaboration with Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
Both artists came together to stage Ring of Fire - Solar Yang & Lunar Weerasethakul in Matabe, a former private residence on the Japanese Island of Naoshima, which was converted into an exhibition space by architect Hiroshi Sambuichi.
“We found an interesting common ground—we co-habited this space together naturally, it wasn’t forced at all,” says Yang of the experience, characterising it as intense and honest, and ultimately as illumination and eclipse, formed by an overlap in their divergent practices. “We kept realising how completely different we are, but we work well together, it was special.”
In case you missed it: Cannes Film Festival award-winning artist Apichatpong Weerasethukal on sleep as resistance, the power of the in-between
Above Haegue Yang’s “Mesmerizing Votive Pagoda Lantern – Snow Volcano Ultramundane Flowers” (2024) (Photo: Studio Haegue Yang, courtesy of Kukje Gallery)
Haegue Yang’s “Mesmerizing Votive Pagoda Lantern – Snow Volcano Ultramundane Flowers” (2024) (Photo: Studio Haegue Yang, courtesy of Kukje Gallery)
1 / 1
The difference in their work and personalities is like night and day, and this contrast is reflected in the exhibition through their artworks—while Yang’s sculptures are activated during the daytime, Weerasethakul’s cinema begins after sunset, lending to the “Solar Yang & Lunar Weerasethakul” part of the exhibition title.
While both artists have seemingly disparate practices, the one common thread running through their works is an interest in revealing elements of our world, society and life that are often not readily visible. To accomplish this, both artists have harnessed visual effects and feel of light, shadow, movement and vibration, channelling these into immersive experiences at Matabe.
The exhibition’s title alludes to a tectonic belt of volcanoes and sites vulnerable to earthquakes that are situated around the Pacific Ocean. Both artists have incorporated real earthquake-related data into their creations. Yang’s sculptures respond to real-time data collected during the daytime, based on earthquakes occuring in the observed region, while Weerasethakul’s installation traces earthquakes that occured in the same region between 1900 and 2023.
Above Detail of Yang's "Sonic Eruption Upside Down – Bold" (2024) (Photo: Benesse Holdings, Inc. courtesy Kukje Gallery)
Detail of Yang's "Sonic Eruption Upside Down – Bold" (2024) (Photo: Benesse Holdings, Inc. courtesy Kukje Gallery)
1 / 1
Two of Yang’s two sculptures, titled Sonic Eruption Upside Down, are comprised of series of bells attached to chains which are installed, and suspended vertically from a wooden beam in the house. Additionally, multiple motors are embedded on these plates and are activated by real-time data about global earthquakes, triggering the metallic bells to vibrate. These bells are consistently featured in the artist’s work, a motif that represents a sonic, invisible connection between heaven and earth.
Another one of Yang’s sculpture Mesmerizing Votive Pagoda Lantern is modelled after the Japanese Sanuki lantern, a traditional object associated with the mourning ritual. It is decorated with shamanic paper flowers and rotates based on real-time earthquake data. Minor Eruption – Sonic Golden Wreath, which consists of six miniature volcanic totems made of paper mâché and a single golden bell chain, are placed inside and outside the house.
Meanwhile, Weerasethakul’s film begins in the evening, projected across a dark room where Yang’s Sonic Eruption sculptures hang. Featuring images of historic volcanic eruptions, the film envelopes the space creating a truly immersive environment.
During their collaboration, Yang and Weerasethakul imagined a soundscape that embodied a sense of mobility and travel. Weerasethakul is currently preparing a soundtrack album release with the team, composer Koichi Shimizu and sound designer Akritchalerm Kalayanamitr.
The motors driving the lights in Weerasethakul’s film are essential to the soundtrack, as is Yang’s voice which is heard at its end. Recorded during a conversation with Apichatpong at a seaside house in Naoshima, her voice reverberates throughout the house as do the sounds of the bells and motors on her sculptures.
In combining the ephemeral with the material at this unique site and in a distinctive 24/7 cycle, Yang and Weerasethakul partake in a rare, transformative art collaboration.
Ring of Fire is on view at Matabe until 2027.
NOW READ:
Artist Shuang Li on being My Chemical Romance’s biggest fan and creating art out of fandom
Topics
Aaina was the Arts and Culture Editor of Tatler Asia. A passion for history and all things visual led her in the pursuit of art history. With extensive experience in the art world working for a range of art institutions, she combined her passion and expertise in the form of art and culture journalism. Prior to Tatler, Aaina worked as a culture reporter for South China Morning Post and editor at the online art platform Cobo Social. Additionally, she has contributed to a variety of prestigious art publications including Art Review, The Art Newspaper, Ocula, Art Agenda, Artsy, Design Anthology, and Artomity. Follow her on Instagram.
