MASKING / UNMASKING : THE JOURNEY IN BETWEEN
Myanmarese artist Kamizu’s installation “Masking/Unmasking Death” was premiered in Tokyo in 2022, through collaboration with TERASIA artists based in Japan and curator Haruka Iharada.
Since the military coup in February 2021, Kamizu created masks that portray the faces of killed citizens, while concealing her identity for safety. In current-day Myanmar, masks may be regarded as a symbol of life, maintaining people’s anonymity and protecting them from viruses.
Following “Masking/Unmasking Life” presented in Kyoto in 2024, Kamizu’s project is introduced for the first time to viewers in Indonesia.
Message from the Artist
The Masking/Unmasking exhibition is not just a display of art, but a powerful tribute to the fallen heroes of Myanmar who gave their lives in the fight for freedom and justice. It invites the audience to reflect on their own concept of death and consider the importance of how we live our lives. Birth and death are inevitable for all living beings, and while we have no control over when or how we are born or die, we can determine the legacy we leave behind.
Death is often feared due to the uncertainty of what lies beyond. In Myanmar’s Buddhist tradition, the belief in rebirth is prevalent, where a coin is placed in the mouth of the deceased as a symbol of fare for their journey to the next life. Through this exhibition, the artist aims to shift the focus to life, the afterlife, and the prayers associated with it. It encourages the audience to imagine their unmasked life and consider the journey between life and death.
The Masking/Unmasking exhibition goes beyond art, offering a space where human beings can connect, reflect, and exchange their perceptions of life and death. It is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the heroes of Myanmar and an opportunity for us to contemplate the meaning of life and the legacy we leave behind. As we prepare for the next exhibition, let us embark on a journey that explores the intricate connection between life and death, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of our existence.
Since the military coup in February 2021, Kamizu created masks that portray the faces of killed citizens, while concealing her identity for safety. In current-day Myanmar, masks may be regarded as a symbol of life, maintaining people’s anonymity and protecting them from viruses.
Following “Masking/Unmasking Life” presented in Kyoto in 2024, Kamizu’s project is introduced for the first time to viewers in Indonesia.
Message from the Artist
The Masking/Unmasking exhibition is not just a display of art, but a powerful tribute to the fallen heroes of Myanmar who gave their lives in the fight for freedom and justice. It invites the audience to reflect on their own concept of death and consider the importance of how we live our lives. Birth and death are inevitable for all living beings, and while we have no control over when or how we are born or die, we can determine the legacy we leave behind.
Death is often feared due to the uncertainty of what lies beyond. In Myanmar’s Buddhist tradition, the belief in rebirth is prevalent, where a coin is placed in the mouth of the deceased as a symbol of fare for their journey to the next life. Through this exhibition, the artist aims to shift the focus to life, the afterlife, and the prayers associated with it. It encourages the audience to imagine their unmasked life and consider the journey between life and death.
The Masking/Unmasking exhibition goes beyond art, offering a space where human beings can connect, reflect, and exchange their perceptions of life and death. It is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the heroes of Myanmar and an opportunity for us to contemplate the meaning of life and the legacy we leave behind. As we prepare for the next exhibition, let us embark on a journey that explores the intricate connection between life and death, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of our existence.
Exhibition
MASKING / UNMASKING : THE JOURNEY IN BETWEEN
Curator: Haruka Iharada
Artist: Kamizu
[Overview]
Date / Time : 16-19 January 2025 / 10.00 - 18.00
Venue : Cianjur Creative Center
Artists
Kamizu
Kamizu is an artist and art therapist who has pursued a career in visual art for over two decades. Actively involved in numerous domestic and overseas art projects and workshops over that time, she strongly believes that art can bring peace and mindfulness to anyone. Her philosophy is that every human being is an artist from a different perspective; it is just that some do not notice this themselves. She hopes art can be a platform to interact with people and connect them to themselves, to each other, and to nature as part of an emotional journey. Her works are research-based, and extend beyond painting and drawing. Kamizu has presented four solo exhibitions to date in Myanmar, Japan, and Malaysia. In addition, she has participated in numerous international art festivals, art fairs, and artist residencies. Her works have been featured in more than twenty group exhibitions at venues in Myanmar, Austria, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. She is also one of the founders of Expressive Therapy Space, where she facilitates and runs art and healing workshops and programs.