One of the most celebrated Japanese artists of her generation, Mariko Mori has been exhibiting here for more than 20 years. Her early work included gigantic photos of herself as a sexy cyborg or alien visitor, while later works explored the relationship between man and the cosmos, as well as reincarnation. This show takes those ideas in a new direction, inspired by recent theories of an endless universe, which is cyclically renewed.
Five large digitally designed and fabricated sculptures best illustrate these ideas. Based on Mobius strips, and painted with holographic paint that creates an otherworldly aura, each morphs front (life) and back (death) into a continuous form. Another group of pieces start as meditative drawings before being remade as photos presented in opalescent, cast-acrylic frames.
A high priestess of art, Mori attempts to connect us to an ever-changing world, one both ancient and new.—Paul Laster.