REFUGE IN THE VEGETAL WORLD

“Such a co-existence with vegetal beings – I could almost say: this vegetal existence – keeps me alive and secretly goes with my words. In other words: can I still return among humans, and through what path?”
– Luce Irigaray

The project takes cues from the seminal work “Through Vegetal Being. Two Philosophical Perspectives“, co-authored by Luce Irigaray, and highlights Miya Masaoka’s lifelong body of work, dissecting the significance of vegetal lives, and exploring the myriad possibilities of collaboration between humans and more-than-human entities. Be it an installation, live performance or composition, the context in which each work exists and is presented is central to the artist’s exploration. Thinking beyond the anthropocentric viewpoint that rigidly distinguishes between humans and the so called “non”-humans, the works presented in this exhibition are continual endeavors to re-contextualize the perceived passivity and objectification of plants, animals and instruments as well.

The exhibition delves into Masaoka's multifaceted approach to sound and her profound connection to natural beings. Thus, Masaoka manifests as a shape-shifter, seamlessly transitioning between roles such as composer, performer, sound maker, and facilitator. Her identity undergoes a continuous metamorphosis from one piece to the next. Her body transforms into a living canvas where bees congregate and rest, where hands serve as vessels for translating sounds derived from the energies released by plants. Masaoka taps into the direct energy of plants, aligning with the lineage of deity spirits like the Kamui or Inau from Ainu mythology. These plants hold a vital significance, a crucial role on the stage during performances in Japanese tradition. In her sonic pieces more-than-human beings are active collaborators and essential components of a rich sonic tapestry. Masaoka invokes her alter persona, Hiko Hiko, echoing the lineage of female shamans, acting as a conduit that connects with the divine. She follows the path of water through human-made constructions such as fountains and pipes, reverberating its sonic footprint in a variety of ways.

The exhibition at SAVVY Contemporary will be accompanied by performative and sonic activations throughout and after the festival both within our physical space and on radio. The exhibition will open with a performance by Miya Masaoka, embodying her pseudo persona, Hiko Hiko. In the following weeks, “Cubistics”, a three-dimensional score, will be performed by string players. Additionally, we are expanding our reach to the waves of SAVVY Contemporary’s radio platform, SAVVYZΛΛR, where Masaoka's composition, “For Birds, Planes, and Cello,” will be featured.

This programme is a part of “Topographies of Hearing” series at MaerzMusik 2024 edition.