Natsuki Takauji
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​"What Is Your Name?"

Size: H 5' W 3' L 3'
​Material: aluminum, steel, ink and acrylic on paper
Year: 2020

I collaborated with Korean artist Haksul Lee to propose a
 socially engaging art project "What Is Your Name?", made possible by the ArtPort residency program at the Marine Air Terminal, Laguardia Airport, organized by Queens Council on the Arts and sponsored by Port Authority of NY and NJ.  Unfortunately, the residency was prematurely ended due to the novel virus pandemic, however, we brought it to the studio and completed it in September. The project was selected to the virtual exhibition "Mother Tongue" by The Immigrant Artist Biennial and currently on view.

We interviewed visitors in the airport, and various public spaces such as Queens Public Library at Flushing, to collect their names in their own language, in their own handwriting, in their own voices. Visitors freely personalized in colors and styles as they wish under one condition; the signature to represent who they are, where they are from. 
The project is to create a sculpture composed of two airplane-like sculptures mirroring in blue and white facing each other as if the one is a reflection of another.  
The collected written names display a variety of colors and languages and placed on both sides of the white sculpture. While it illustrates the diversity of origins of people in the city, the artists transcribe all the names into the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and place them on the blue side with a single color. IPA is used to determine the pronunciation of any spoken language: Therefore, for anyone who studies a foreign language, IPA plays a critical role. IPA is a symbol of the universal use of language, and the only common ground of all the languages. 
Along with the sculpture, the recorded names in one's own voice in one's mother language will be played from a small speaker quietly. The voices describe their various attitudes toward the action of introducing their names to strangers. Recording and talking about the names symbolically bring significant attention to the individuals that are essential elements in the society, but could otherwise have been considered unremarkable. 
See The Exhibition "Mother Tongue"


​OMAMORI

Size: H 12"  W 15"  D 1.5"   (framed as a pair)
Material: fabric, wood, paper, gauche
Year: 2020

“Omamori Series" is inspired by a type of Japanese religious lucky charm called “Omamori”, which are commonly sold in Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. 

I embroidered symbols indicating dual reality or hidden connections that highlight the irony and controversy inherent in society. Using the both sides of the same fabric also reflects the inextricably linked objects or facts or hypothesis.  

I grew up being told that Omamori contains a holy prayer that brings good luck and if opened, it will lose its protective power. I had never opened it until I started this project. After seeing inside of Omamori as a first time, I created  something and enclosed in my Omamori series, believing that one might believe to not to open.

What we believe is up to us, and it forms our perceptions and actions. What we believe now might be different from what we believed yesterday. 


"Charm for Health"
I embroidered two health logos which are widely used in America: Left is the rod of Asclepius (a deity of medicine), right is the caduceus (symbol of Hermes who is a deity of merchants). The modern use of the caduceus as a symbol of medicine became established in the United States in the late 19th as a result of documented mistakes, misunderstandings, and confusion.

"Charm for Business"
I embroidered symbol of dollar and yin and yang. They coincidentally share S shape and a vertical junction, however, it might be not coincident that the yin and yang philosophy is frequently linked to business and money-making.

"Charm for Money"
I embroidered the symbol of the bank, and the Chinese character "金" meaning money. Their shapes coincidentally share triangular and vertical lines, however, it might not be coincident that banks play key roles in the modern monetary system.

​"Charm for Protection"
I embroidered the symbol of the Japanese Kagome basket pattern and the Hexagram star symbol. Those star symbols are used in various cultures and countries from the ancient time. Coincidently, they share the meaning of protection sometimes. Kagome pettern originated from the eye shape, which was to scare the bad sprit away. The star symbol has been used by many religions; Judaism, Muslim, Hindu, Christianity, and Occultism, . 

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