While festivals have almost become a part of the national character in the Netherlands, the Dutch may not yet be comfortable with the idea of celebrating death during one. Mahomi Kunikata approaches this differently. Which is to be expected, actually, if you consider her background.
In Japan the memory of the ‘departed’ is kept alive during a special ceremony. According to Kunikata many people see funerals as events that are both joyful and sad, both dirty and clean. ‘The ceremony is a galvanizing slap in the face of the already confused conscious.’ During these lively occasions, where no tears are shed, not only the memories of individuals are kept alive, but those of lost possessions, such as animals, plants, dolls and even something minor as a seweing needle may also be commemorated.
About Mahomi Kunikata
Mahomi Kunikata is one of the artists of Kaikai Kiki, Takashi Murakami’s studio. “The Fancy Funeral” follows her acclaimed recent exhibition at Jack Tilton Gallery in New York, and her 2006 exhibition, “March of the Absent Friends”, at Galerie Alex Daniels – Reflex Amsterdam.
The opening takes place on 4 October at 16:00, the artist will be present. The exhibition will run until November 15 2008. For more information, go to the Reflex Art Gallery website.