Shinji Ohmaki “Liminal Air Space-Time: Fluctuation of the Vacuum
Performance by Yui Yonezawa and Yoshito Kinoshita (New National Theatre Ballet Company) in the exhibition space
The National Art Center, Tokyo 2023

From November 1 (Wed) to December 25 (Mon), 2023, the large-scale solo exhibition “Interface of Being” by contemporary artist Shinji Ohmaki was held at The National Art Center, Tokyo in Roppongi. Ohmaki is known for creating large-scale installations that challenge our bodily senses and pose the question “What does it mean to exist?”. The exhibition utilized an exhibition gallery with an 8-meter high ceiling and 2,000 square meters of space, dynamically presenting the latest version of the “Gravity and Grace” series that began in 2016, as well as new works based on the fundamental question of why we live. Admission was free to allow everyone to view the exhibition, attracting numerous visitors from Japan and abroad.

Throughout the exhibition, under Ohmaki’s general direction, who has a deep interest in the body’s relationship to space and others, multiple dance performances were held in the exhibition space more than once a week. Choreographers and dancers including Tsuyoshi Shirai, Ryu Suzuki, and Daisuke Omiya participated.

We are pleased to present a video of the special performance by Yui Yonezawa and Yoshito Kinoshita from The National Ballet of Japan, which took place on December 2.
This special performance was staged within the large-scale installation “Liminal Air Space―Time”, where a single large piece of fabric undulates like waves in the wind, enveloping the entire space. Ohmaki’s installations strongly evoke dance and theater through their use of light and shadow contrasts and their stage-like spatial arrangements that draw viewers in. As we step into these spaces, we become both spectators and performers within the world Ohmaki has created.
The approximately 20-minute performance, which strongly resonated with the audience’s physical senses, received great acclaim from those who experienced it.

This performance featured Yui Yonezawa, who starred in and experienced the creative process through to the domestic tour of “Rain”, an Aichi Prefectural Art Theater × DaBY Dance Project (Ryu Suzuki × Shinji Ohmaki × evala) for which Ohmaki designed the stage, and Yoshito Kinoshita, who dances with her in The National Ballet of Japan. It was realized under the performance direction, choreography, and coordination of Ryu Suzuki, who directed and choreographed “Rain”.

Shinji Ohmaki “Liminal Air Space―Time”
Special Performance by Yui Yonezawa / Yoshito Kinoshita (The National Ballet of Japan) in the Exhibition Space
The National Art Center, Tokyo　2023

General Direction: Shinji Ohmaki
Performance Direction/Choreography/Coordination: Ryu Suzuki (DaBY)
Performers: Yonezawa Yui/Kinoshita Yoshito (New National Ballet Company)
Poetry: Ryoko Sekiguchi
Videography： Shinji Ohmaki Studio
Photography: Hiroyasu Daido
Cooperation: Dance Base Yokohama


“Shinji Ohmaki: Interface of Being” Exhibition Overview
Venue: The National Art Center, Tokyo
Period: November 1 (Wed) – December 25 (Mon), 2023
https://www.nact.jp/exhibition_special/2023/ohmaki/

■ For detailed information about the December 2 performance
https://www.nact.jp/event/2023/005399.html

■Crosstalk: Shinji Ohmaki x Ryoko Sekiguchi – An archived video of the artist and poet, each from their own perspective
Date: Friday, November 3, 2023
Venue: The National Art Center, Tokyo, 3rd Floor, Auditorium
https://youtu.be/A_JOcP0E92A?si=0yrpE2PizM9_h3ED

■ Aichi Prefectural Art Theater × DaBY Dance Project
Ryu Suzuki × Shinji Ohmaki × evala “Rain”
https://rain.dancebase.yokohama/