Stronghold – Kaminakaya

 2004

Kamibun College, Kamiyama, Japan
Plexiglass, paint, plywood, 400 x 180 x 270 cm

42 perpendicular plexiglass tubes each with a diameter of 2 cm are placed along the perimeter of a painted map of Kamiyama on the floor. The distance between the bars varies from 10 to 70 cm, thus allowing visitors through.
In traditional Japanese culture, it is customary to take the name of the local vicinity as a second surname (yago), for as long as the family is actually living there. The subtitle of this installation is a yago because it corresponds to the idea of in situ, and is therefore only viable during its presentation in this location. Kamibun College used to be called ” Kamichu “, and from this I have derived the name and guise of a yago. In the very isolated town of Kamiyama it is of paramount importance to know who lives there and who doses not. Are you inside or outside ? This self-surveillance reinforces both the isolation and security of the town