“I / O”

Yuko Mohri’s installation “I/O” is a work composed of various materials such as A4 paper rolls, motors, hair flaps, and a Berlira (iron harp). The video takes place on the fourth floor of a reinforced concrete building located along the Sumida River in Asakusa. The building was originally a lumber store, but later became a shoe store and now houses a company involved in art and design. Before the previous company moved out and the interior work started, the “I/O” was installed. When you enter this room, the first thing you see is a roll of paper. The paper rolls are hanging from a 2m x 27cm rectangular wooden frame suspended from the ceiling, just like a W in the alphabet. If you look closely, you can see that a motor is slowly feeding the paper. There are two of these structures. From the center of each crate, a bunch of white cables spread out into space, and five light bulbs are hanging from the ends of them. At the end of the bundle of cables at the back of the crate are five hair flaps, and at the other end of the crate are five small vibrating motors, shaking and banging on a drum and fife bell rilla on the floor.

　The “I/O” is mechanically operated. The paper rolls scoop up dust and dirt from the floor, along with information about the humidity and air flow in the exhibition room. These are read by sensors and transformed into electrical signals input/output. The signals are sent to the hair flappers and Berlila to control their movements. But the movements are unpredictable. This work, which flexibly changes to incorporate even unexpected movements, seems to be a unique ecosystem woven by artificiality and nature.

　We stayed in this space and left behind the poetry of Kiyonatsu Osaki and the video images of Xuanyumin as the work changed dramatically with the light from sunrise to sunset. The poem is read by Kei Hagiwara’s voice, which has a neutral sound, and soon the background of the reading is overlaid with the sounds of paper scraping on the floor, the sound of a motor feeding paper, and the environmental sounds of cars and birds.

This is a re-creation of Yuko Mouri’s installation work “I/O”, which is in the collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo and M+ in Hong Kong. In the exhibition space of the Hypothetical Studio in Asakusa, we invited the poet Kiyonatsu Osaki as a representative of the audience to write a short poem for “I/O”. Ms. Osaki’s poetry serves as an opportunity for each person to imagine various scenes that reach the eyes, ears, and body. I am hoping that by delivering Ms. Gen’u Min’s images, which are trivial but changeable in expression in about 10 minutes, along with her poetry reading, we will be able to have a different viewing experience from the museum.

Click here to download the text of the poem.
An Absolution for I/O_Japanese version (PDF)

An Absolution for I/O_English version (PDF)

★ UDCast
This work can be viewed with UD Cast, an application providing subtitles and an audio guide through smartphones and other terminals.
For information on downloading and using this application, click here.

・ Audio guide + barrier-free Japanese subtitles: Subtitles with text for information on main sounds such as music and sound effects in addition to spoken lines and names of speakers, and an audio guide for narration of information on visual items such as the scene and actions of characters.
・ Barrier-free Japanese subtitles: Subtitles with text for information on main sounds such as music and sound effects in addition to spoken lines and names of speakers

We have prepared two barrier-free videos, one in Japanese and one in English. Please switch tabs to view.

We have prepared an alternative text that guides you to what is shown in the video. Please enjoy it along with the sound of the video.
Alternative text_Japanese(PDF)
Alternative text_English(PDF)

Born in Kanagawa prefecture in 1980. Created an installation that senses invisible and invisible forces such as magnetic force, gravity, and light. Participated in numerous international and group exhibitions, including the 2018 “Voluta” Camden Art Centre (London), the 2018 “However, there is resistance” at the Towada Art Center. Received the Nissan Art Award Grand Prix in 2015 and the 67th Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists in 2017.

Sculpture: Yuko Mohri

Poetry: Sayaka Osaki

Video
 Director: Woomin Hyun

Narration: Kei Hagiwara

Sound: Ryota Fujiguchi

Installation Design: nomena, Atelier Setsuna

Filming location : nomena

Construction: HIGURE 17-15 cas

Crew: Riori Ito, Koshiro Shikine

English translation: Gaku Kondo

Production management: Takahiro Kanashima + FUJIHANE

Yuko Mohri website