From a distance, Tomoko Shioyasu’s giant art pieces could be confused for immense maps of weather patterns rather than intricately cut paper tapestries. In fact, the Japanese artist is heavily influenced and inspired by the elements of nature such as the force of wind or the patterns of cells so it’s no wonder that his work has such an organic look and feel. Using utility knives, soldering irons, charcoal, and a steady hand, she creates floor to ceiling paper tapestries with the forces of nature in mind.
Raised and schooled in Japan, Shioyasu has a fascination with the delicacies of nature that began when examining tiny veins on leaves found all over her campus. One day she attempted to cut them from a leaf, and thus the idea for her cut paper pieces began.
Shioyasu employs three methods in creating her paper tapestries and art works – cutting, burning and drawing. The massive lace-like paper tapestries are created by using meticulous and repetitive cuts. Each tiny cut is repeated and built up in a complicated pattern. The resulting pieces are so fine and delicate, it is hard to believe they are merely paper – and hand cut at that! An art handler’s nightmare for sure.
The burned pieces also use a subtractive method, as the artist uses a soldering-iron to create a similar effect for the cut paper, except she burns delicate holes into synthetic paper instead. The massive pieces also make use of the flow of light from the rooms in which they are installed, forming an almost fake environment, or as Shioyasu likes to think, fake nature.
New Yorkers can experience the Shioyasu’s powerful, weather-inspired “Vortex,” which is on display at the Japan Society until June 12. In light of the current tragedy in Japan, the Japan Society is donating 12.5% of the proceeds from this show to relief efforts.
Via This Is Colossal
