The Gate

Gete No, 25 - Isumi, Chiba, 2016

This work was created by building gates out of whatever was found on site. Sometimes it takes longer than expected to construct, while other times it comes together surprisingly quickly.

The moment a gate is completed—at the very instant I let go—the objects that had been lying around meaninglessly transform into a gate, and with it, the surrounding scenery and people also become part of the work. The boundary of the artwork seems to dissolve, and that sensation feels deeply pleasant to me.

Some artists express themselves by stacking stones, and even a single stone has countless orientations, which I find fascinating.

Previously, I called this series Nature’s Gate, but later realized that Gate of Nature might be more accurate. In recent years, I have also begun using drifted bottle caps and empty glass bottles in addition to natural materials such as stones and driftwood. For this reason, I now simply call the work The Gate.

• Form: Installation
• Dimensions: Varies depending on the site.
• Ongoing since: 2014