Chiharu Shiota born in Osaka, Japan and lives and works in Berlin, Germany for the past two decades.
The Key in the Hand is an elaborate weft of red wood and keys that dangle above two old-aged rustic boats for Japan Pavilion at the 56th International Art Exhibition Venice Art Biennale.
Chiharu Shiota explains “In this installation I would like to use keys provided by the general public that are imbued with various recollections and memories that have accumulated over a long period of daily use. as I create the work in the space, the memories of everyone who provides me with their keys will overlap with my own memories for the first time. these overlapping memories will in turn combine with those of the people from all over the world who come to see the biennale, giving them a chance to communicate in a new way and better understand each other’s feelings.”
