KAWA=Flow.
A ‘kawa’, or mountain stream, can turn into a large river as well as become a small stream. Within the scope of this series, Yamamoto Masao refers to lessons from Zen Buddhism called ‘active passivity’; the feeling of calmness and attachment with nature and with the universe, resulting in feelings of respect and humility. Contrasting the strict division Westerners experience between human beings and nature, Yamamoto sees unity. He encounters nature with respect and with awe. In addition to this, Yamamoto presents an installation with work from his Nakazora series.
Yamamoto Masao (Japan, 1957) was trained to be a visual artist but became a well-known photographer. He received international recognition with artwork in which he visualizes the Japanese relationship with nature and the world at large. Following the imminent threat of a nuclear disaster after the devastating earthquake of March 11, 2011, Yamamoto said: “I feel even stronger that we are nothing but a small part of nature. We should not be so arrogant as to try to save nature. We should rather ask for permission to live quietly in a little corner of nature”. In his work, Yamamoto depicts exactly this awareness of the world around him.
KAWA=Flow
September 13 – October 21, 2012
Breda’s museum
Parade 12
4811 DZ Breda Centrum
The Netherlands
