Based on the concepts of "It keeps changing," "It connects with everything," and "It continues forever," contemporary artist Tatsuo Miyajima, known for his works using digital counters, created the "Sea of Time - Tohoku" project. This project aims to console the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and pass on the memory of the disaster, co-created with people living in Tohoku and those who care about Tohoku.
The artwork, which is envisioned to feature 3,000 LED gadgets counting from "9 to 1" installed in a giant pool, involves 3,000 participants. Each participant can set the counting speed of their LED number to their desired time. Miyajima has been holding workshops in various locations, meeting participants, and aims to complete the artwork in 2027.
As of November 30, 2022, there are 1,665 participants.
This article reports on the workshops held in Kunisaki City and Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, in November, in two parts: Part 1 and Part 2. In Part 2, we will report on the time-setting workshop held in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture.
(Writing and editing: Tae Kahara | "Sea of Time - Tohoku" Project Director)
(Photography: "Sea of Time - Tohoku" Project Executive Committee Secretariat)
Workshop Held in Beppu, a Place Connected to Tatsuo Miyajima
Oita Prefecture is a place with deep connections to Tatsuo Miyajima. He was invited by NPO BEPPU PROJECT and resided in Beppu City in 2006 to create and present "Counter Voice in the Earth." In the Narubutsu district of Kunisaki City, "Hundred Life Houses," created through workshops with local residents, is permanently installed.
This "Time-Setting Workshop" in Beppu was held as part of the Beppu Art Month 2022 program. Beppu Art Month is a civic cultural festival that gathers numerous cultural and artistic events throughout Beppu. This year marks its 13th anniversary.
On November 13, two workshops were held at B-Con Plaza (Beppu International Convention Center), one in the morning and one in the afternoon. A total of 60 people participated, including families spanning three generations, friends, and couples.
Beppu Workshop Begins!
While introducing past works, Miyajima explained the representation of numbers on LED gadgets, including themes of life and death and the eternity of life.
Miyajima shared the background of the "Sea of Time - Tohoku" project, including his experiences and feelings while volunteering to clear mud after the Great East Japan Earthquake, showing photos he took at that time.
Time for Setting the Time: Thinking Alone or Discussing with Family and Friends
After Miyajima's explanation of the "Sea of Time - Tohoku" project, it was time to decide on the seconds.
Some discussed, "How many seconds should we make it?"
Some carefully wrote down their thoughts alone.
Once you start writing, you might recall various things and pause, pondering.
Some people used the stopwatch function on their mobile phones to think.
It's nice for parents and children to discuss, "How many seconds should we choose?"
Memories and Thoughts Rekindled through Dialogue
After the time setting was complete, Miyajima spoke with each participant individually, listening to their stories. This is also an important time for the artist. Through dialogue, new thoughts and memories can emerge, creating a sense of interconnectedness of memories.
Reading Someone's Thoughts Aloud.
At the Beppu workshop, with the participants' permission, I read aloud the chosen seconds and episodes from each person, sharing them with everyone present. Here are a few of them:
31.1 seconds
March 11th is the day of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, and it's also my mother's birthday. Now that I am a mother myself, March 11th is an important day to reflect on the preciousness of passing on life.
(Born in 1979)
111.5 seconds
Six months after the earthquake, in September, I went to Onagawa for the first time and met a boy living in temporary housing. We built a town with LEGO, and he told me that people and towns would all be gone due to the tsunami. I couldn't find the right words. After that, I visited him regularly. That boy is now a high school sophomore and recently introduced me to his girlfriend. Even now, I still wonder what I should have said to him. November 15th is his birthday.
(Born in 1970)
28.2 seconds
It's the weight of my daughter when she was born (2880g). Before giving birth, I was bedridden for about a month and couldn't move, feeling how difficult it is for life to be born.
(Born in 1982)
86 seconds
It's my grandmother's birthday, who passed away, and the day the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. My own birthday is the day the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. There are days in Japan that must not be forgotten, and things that should not happen again, that I hope will not happen. Also, I want to feel each busy day slowly.
(Born in 1996)
88 seconds
I participated because it seemed interesting. I like the number 8, and ever since I was little, I've seen pilgrims and such, so I feel a connection to the number 88, which is why I chose it. I've never been to Tohoku, and watching the tsunami on TV, I didn't truly grasp it. Through this workshop, I felt like I wanted to visit Tohoku.
(Born in 1994)
25.7 seconds
Because I wanted to combine my birth year and my lucky number.
(Born in 2005)
1.5 seconds
I remember watching the TV broadcast of the 3.11 flood and feeling the flow of time was very slow. I felt the difference between my personal perception and the objective passage of time. Since then, I've loved Miyajima's work. My current heart rate was 89 beats/minute. This is a heart rate of 1.5 beats/second.
(Born in 1955)
5.8 seconds
I met an important person on May 8th. May that person be happy. In Tohoku, my first student I ever taught lives there, and although I hadn't seen them for years, that day I spontaneously called and found out they were safe. I hope they are doing well.
(Born in 1958)
※The descriptions of the episodes respect the writer's expression, including punctuation and spacing.
Viewing the Demonstration Artwork 'Sea of Time - Tohoku'
In Beppu, after the workshop, we viewed the demonstration artwork of "Sea of Time - Tohoku" temporarily displayed in the venue.
I hope that as you gazed at the blinking numbers, each different, you felt that the seconds you just chose would someday become a part of this artwork.
Commemorative Photo with All Participants
With the participants of the first workshop.
With the participants of the second workshop.
Thank you very much to all the participants, and to Yamaide Art Office Inc. and NPO BEPPU PROJECT for their cooperation!
We will continue to hold workshops in various locations.
Next year, 2023, marks 12 years since the earthquake. The "Sea of Time - Tohoku" project will continue to accumulate time and space for reflecting on past experiences, memories, and the future, while listening to each individual's thoughts on Tohoku and on life. We believe that sharing such experiences will be a step for each participant to foster a sense of ownership, feeling that the "Sea of Time - Tohoku" artwork is "my artwork."
We will continue to hold workshops across the country, aiming to create spaces where memories, experiences, and thoughts of the earthquake are woven together, fostering empathy for others.
For those interested in hosting a "Time-Setting Workshop"
If you are an organization, group, or individual who agrees with the activities of the "Sea of Time - Tohoku" project and would like to collaborate on workshops, please feel free to contact us at the address below.
"Sea of Time – Tohoku" Project Executive Committee (within Tatsuo Miyajima Co., Ltd.)
Email: contact@seaoftime.org
