Our MIA Team seat down and talked with Japanese artists Mari Ito, who is part of ‘The fragrance that flowers emanate’ virtual exhibition inside our MIA Virtual Museum.
- How did your passion for art come about and what vision do you have of it?
Within the art world I feel very free. Through this, I feel the possibility of unleashing my imagination and emotions. Through my works I want to present my world, my thoughts to the public. Offer them the possibility of entering it to reflect and feel something new.
2. From your vision as a Japanese artist, how do you think Asian art influences the world?
Until I moved to Barcelona 2006 I had never felt such an intense contrast between light and shadow. The power of the light (more yellowish) typical of Spain, allowed me to have a new perception of Asian art that, to date, I had not taken into account. The flatness of the art where I come from, compared to the voluminousness of European art also had to do with the light that is experienced. As a Japanese, I use traditional techniques from my country (nihonga painting) and for this reason, my work is presented in flat colors, although with great background. Anyway, I think that the influence of the new climate, culture and everything that I have experienced now is reflected in my work, since it is in my subconscious.
3. Regarding gender perspective, how do Asian artists face the art world?
Fortunately, I have not experienced discrimination as strong as that suffered by other artists. Although the ratio of female to male artists in Japan is still very unequal, it is true that in recent events such as the Aichi Triennale, an attempt was made to equalize the number of female and male participants. Even so, there is a lot of work ahead. My work always contains a message of change and hope and it is the same thing that I wish for this situation.
4. From your life experience, what do you recommend to the female artists of the new generations?
I think the most important thing is not to give up. Initiatives such as MIA ART COLLECTION is a great stimulus to encourage artists to create and create, experiment and show what they have inside. I am sure that the MIA ANY WHERE Virtual Museum will encourage many artists to continue their artistic careers.
5. How does it feel to be part of an exhibition at MIA Anywhere, the world’s first virtual museum of female art, and how has your relationship with MIA Art collection been?
It is an incredible opportunity and I am very happy. Thanks to my curator Alejandra Rodríguez Cunchillos and Alejandra Castro Rioseco, who has created MIA Art Collection, many female artists will be able to make their art known, a fact that will allow to put on the table the great feminine works that are being created in the present. In addition, as we already know due to Covid 19, the situation regarding art and culture has been complicated by this, I feel even more fortunate. The initiative of MIA ART COLLECTION and the creation of its virtual museum is magnificent.
6. How do you see the democratization and digitization of art through initiatives like MIA Anywhere?
I see it fundamental. In 2020 the coronavirus is sweeping the world. This prevents moving to other cities, countries, taking work, physically opening exhibitions, taking face-to-face courses … For this reason, digital media and the opportunity to show the work have virtually become essential. I know that the sensation of seeing a real work is unique and does not come the same as when you see it on a PC or mobile screen. So artists today have to work even harder to create digital appeal. MIA ART COLLECTION and her team are doing a great job in this.
You can see Mari Ito ‘The fragrance that flowers emanate” exhibition here.
