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Balance

 

From September 28 to November 28, Japan House São Paulo presents "Equilíbrio” (Balance), an unprecedented installation with more than 9,000 balloons made by the Japanese duo DAISY BALLOON, known for their works with great visual impact that have delighted people all around the world. For the first time in Latin America, Rie Hosokai, an artist specializing in balloons, and Takashi Kawada, an art director and graphic designer, were inspired by the cycles of nature to create the work that will change over the weeks, marking the inevitability of the passage of time.

Between the lights and colors of the aurora borealis

Known for creating projects in different formats, ranging from shop windows, fashion editorials, dresses, and potted plants to advertising pieces, the duo also stands out for occupying spaces with large artistic installations, such as the one that can be seen at JHSP. Their works are notable for the use of self-made balloons, which add great novelty to the productions. Coming in at 11 meters in length and more than three meters in height, the work is site-specific, was designed exclusively for the exhibition area on the ground floor of Japan House São Paulo, and features balloons made together with Yokohama Balloon Co. Ltd. The balloons are covered with an outer layer of polarized film, and when light shines on the installation, a spectrum of immanent colors reflects in the exhibition space, an effect similar to that of the aurora borealis. The organic format of the work also draws attention and contrasts with synthetic materials.

“The shape of the installation is suggestive of the course of the water cycle, as if the balloons were droplets of water and clouds rising in the air to turn into rain and fall back to the ground”, explains Japan House São Paulo Cultural Director and exhibition curator Natasha Barzaghi Geenen.

 

A unique immersive experience

The installation has an admirable visual impact and offers visitors a unique immersive experience, as they will be allowed to walk through it following a defined route.

“The audience will be able to witness the passage of time throughout the exhibition in a different way, as the trend is for the balloons to wither and change the installation in a subtle manner every day. The work condenses many typical Japanese concepts and ways of thinking, values balance and harmony, poetically symbolizes the passage of time, reinforces the importance of and fascination with the inexorable rules of nature, while, by using balloons that defy its ephemeral essence, also addresses a constant duality that permeates us”, highlights curator Natasha.

 

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About DAISY BALLOON

DAISY BALLOON was created in 2008 by balloon artist Rie Hosokai, specialized in balloons, and by art director and graphic designer Takashi Kawada, both born in 1976. Since then, the duo has created several works with balloons, aiming, through their themes, to sharpen human perception and explore different materialities. Based on philosophical themes, the artists’ everyday research consists of interacting with people and objects, and what guides the work is the quest to achieve the essential harmony between man and everything around him. DAISY BALLOON won the eyes of the world in 2013 with the production of the iconic “DNA dress” for the Icelandic singer Björk. However, even before that, the duo was already betting on productions ranging from large installations to dress making, fascinating the audiences due to the complexity of the details that refer to ephemeral architectural structures.

Service:

“Equilíbrio” (Balance) – DAISY BALLOON

Period: September 28 to November 28, 2021 *
Where: Japan House São Paulo, ground floor
Cost: Free admission

The exhibition counts on Accessibility Features

Advance online reservations are optional, but recommended: https://agendamento.japanhousesp.com.br/

Japan House São Paulo
Address: Avenida Paulista, 52 – Bela Vista, São Paulo
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm*
Saturdays, 9 am to 7 pm*
Sundays, and banking holidays, 9 am to 6 pm*

*Visitation dates and times may change as per the determinations of the São Paulo Plan.

**Due to the coronavirus, JHSP is operating with a reduced capacity.
For more information, click here.