Silver Screen Series: Awakening of flora Artwork

MAKI TAKATO　高遠まき Visual artist, Performer Maki Takato emerged as an artist from the captivating landscapes of Nagano, Japan, where majestic mountains and verdant forests deeply ingrained their essence into her creative psyche. Her father, a daring pilot whose tales soared above Antarctica's icy expanses, instilled in her a thirst for distant realms and uncharted explorations. In Japan, her academic journey through linguistics fueled her quest to transcend linguistic boundaries and articulate emotions and narratives. As a ballroom dance professional, she cultivated an intrinsic appreciation for the nuanced choreography of human expression, a rhythmic dance that finds echoes in her artwork. Her creations don't merely present aesthetics; they delve into the profound narratives and emotions beneath the surface. Upon entering London's pulsating art sphere, Maki Takato's craft evolved, absorbing the multifaceted cultural tapestry of the metropolis. At Central Saint Martins, she honed her craft in performance arts, designing spaces that are as evocative as the stories they encompass. Her intellectual pursuits at Goldsmiths College deepened her understanding of art's underlying philosophies, with Nietzsche's post-modern perspectives becoming pivotal to her artistic identity. Her creations began to reflect a symbiosis of introspection and the desire to weave diverse cultural tapestries. At the Royal College of Art, her exploration expanded into multisensory spaces and avant-garde wearable performances, fusing technology with the mystical allure of Japanese "yokai." This unique intersection came alive in her yokai installation, where innovative sensors transformed ethereal movements into tangible experiences, inviting viewers into a world where folklore and modernity converge. Her accolade, the Battersea Park Sculpture Prize, stands testament to her ingenuity. Her winning sculpture, a harmonious blend of nature, human essence, and ambient sonics, presented an immersive tapestry of interconnected experiences. Beyond exhibitions, her performances have graced global stages, including the esteemed Victoria and Albert Museum. Returning to Japan, Maki re-immersed herself in its rich cultural tapestry, drawing inspiration from historical narratives and traditional crafts. This journey saw her juxtaposing age-old techniques like yuzen and kintsugi with modern artistic expressions.