Mystery 169 If the Wind Blows by Amsterdam-based international visual artist Mariko Hori explores the relationship between language and the city, prompted by the Japanese proverb which goes “If the wind blows, the barrel makers prosper”, which means that any event can bring about an effect in an unexpected way.
Artist: Mariko Hori
Voice Over:
English – Shira Wolfe
Greek – Giorgos Konstantinos Dimitrakopoulos
Japanese – Helen Vogt
Project coordination:
Georgia Voudouri – Director of Cultural Development 2023 Eleusis
Neoklis Mantas – Head of Cultural Development 2023 Eleusis
Supported by EU- Japan Fest Japan committee
The project “IF THE WIND BLOWS” has started in 2021 in collaboration with Artegiro Contemporary Art, AILAE Associazione Culturale curated by Renata Summo – O’connell supported by MAD- Murate Art District in Florence, Italy
Dates: 16 September to 1 October
Opening hours:
Wednesday to Friday, 17.00 – 21.00
Saturday & Sunday, 13.00 – 21.00
Location: Elefsina Old Town Hall
[When the wind blows, dust will be blown into people’s eyes, some people will go blind. The traditional employment for blind people in Japan was itinerant shamisen (traditional Japanese musical instrument ) -playing story-tellers. More shamisen will be purchased. The skin of the shamisen is made of cat. So cats will be killed for their skin. If cats are killed then there will be more mice.Then people will need to make sure that their rice is kept in barrels. So they will order barrels. And barrel makers will get rich.]
The artist attempts to refresh this phrase into a modern version, through communication with Elefsis corresponding to the current situation and guessing what this exceptional event with 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture brings in the future. This new version of proverb will also start with the words ‘if the wind blows’ and ends with alternative sentences, which reflect the modern world and the local character following alternative stories in between.
Α Sound installation with winds, fabric, seeds, soil, stones and a collage work.
Further Info
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