As I wandered through the enchanting world of “The Book of OCEAN” exhibition at PARCO MUSEUM TOKYO, I was captivated by the harmonious blend of traditional Japanese mythology and contemporary anime aesthetics. The journey took me to the depths of the ocean, where ancient wisdom and modern storytelling intertwined in a symphony of colors, emotions, and ideas.
FriendsWithYou is a creative partnership between Samuel Borkson from Miami, Florida, and Arturo Sandoval III from Havana, Cuba, who started collaborating in 2002. They focus on developing “meaningful connections” using the keywords “magic,” “luck,” and “friendship.” Their art revolves around the concept of relational aesthetics, aiming to facilitate our relationships with ourselves, others, and nature while fostering a sense of community.
The creative work of Borkson and Sandoval encompasses a variety of mediums such as immersive art installations, sculptures, paintings, digital animations, and live presentations. Notably, in 2018, they were responsible for designing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade held in New York City. More recently, in 2022, their masterpiece, a massive steel structure named “Starchild,” was created for Miami Beach City and officially acknowledged as a permanent piece of art by the city itself.
In September, the artists held the exhibition titled “Ocean — Temple of the Sacred Heart” at PARCO MUSEUM TOKYO, located on the 4th floor of Shibuya PARCO. This was a solo show presenting fresh paintings and sculptures inspired by a fictitious myth called “The Book of OCEAN.” Additionally, an engaging artwork, “Memory Wave,” which merged light, sound, and motion, was also included. To mark the opening of “Ocean — Temple of the Sacred Heart,” TopMob interviewed Sanodval and Borkson from FriendsWithYou about their past, their perspectives on their art, and the origins of this exhibition.
TopMob: Can you tell us how this exhibition began?
Samuel Borkson (S): Our exhibition began when NANZUKA and PARCO extended an invitation to us. The central idea was “The Book of OCEAN,” a fictional legend that portrays the Earth as an ocean and seeks to bond humanity with it. Within each of us lies an “OCEAN,” and all life on this planet is interconnected through it.
In other words, the purpose of this exhibition is to unite the world through the “Book of OCEAN”?
“As a fellow gaming enthusiast, I’m glad we’re on the same page! In this upcoming exhibit, we delve into modern spirituality through artistic expressions. We’re excited to unveil our perspective and hopefully spark some thoughtfulness within you too.”
What is the background behind the formation of FriendsWithYou?
P: I hail from Miami, Florida, where I spent my childhood years. That place was quite lively, it’s where our friendship bloomed and led to the creation of FriendsWithYou. There was an instant connection between us, and we found ourselves attending rave events together. The 1990s introduced us to novel concepts of peace, love, unity, and respect. Intrigued by these ideas, we felt compelled to share them with future generations. To do this effectively, we believed we had to not just pass on the ideas, but reinvent them. Essentially, we felt the need to create art.
Is that the idea that led to the formation of FriendsWithYou?
“The name ‘FriendsWithYou’ conveys a sense of concern or care (pro-noia), which is the opposite of suspicion or mistrust (paranoia). It suggests that assisting friends contributes to the betterment of the world, thereby enhancing one’s own life.
Were you both artists before you formed FriendsWithYou?
We view ourselves as innate artists who’ve harbored a desire to communicate through creative means since childhood. Remarkably, our families nurtured this talent by providing us with the educational resources to develop our artistic abilities during our school years. As a result, we began collaborating on art projects, and witnessing the triumph of THE BURGER BUNCH ignited in us a belief that FriendsWithYou could achieve something vibrant and impactful. Since then, we’ve continued to produce art relentlessly, dedicating the past 23 years to our work, treating it as an ongoing social experiment.
In the artworks of FriendsWithYou, you’ll find influences from Japanese anime and its subculture, as seen in this exhibit. Are these elements deliberately integrated into your regular workflow?
P: Ever since I can remember, Hello Kitty and Sanrio have captivated me. When I began collaborating with Arturo, I noticed how the Japanese “KAWAII” culture was gaining popularity worldwide. It struck me that anime could serve as a vessel or emblem to express the ideas of animism and mythology that we promote.
It’s intriguing to find that the concept was part of the exhibit. Mind if I revisit the exhibition? By any chance, was the “Ocean Book” theme an idea you’ve been pondering over for quite some time?
The concept for “The Book of OCEAN” originated approximately four years ago, but exhibiting it was more about narrating the story for us. We brainstormed ideas together, produced artwork, and built a narrative around those ideas. However, the project is not complete yet; we welcome other artists to contribute to its progression. Our aim was to introduce a modern interpretation of mythology through this work.
As a gaming enthusiast exploring this exhibition, I can’t help but feel the depth behind each piece. It’s not just about appreciating them individually; they all intertwine, forming an intricate narrative waiting to be discovered.
As a gamer, I recently discovered an engaging interactive art installation called “Memory Wave” on the 4th floor atrium of Shibuya PARCO. In addition to its exhibition at PARCO MUSEUM TOKYO, this captivating piece is now available for me and fellow visitors to experience!
S: Memory Wave conveys the thought that “all things originate from the sea, which itself is an extension of the sea.” The ocean, symbolized by its waves, is constantly in motion, much like our heartbeats. We designed this piece around the blue Moby, emblem of the “Book of OCEAN,” to provide a unique and immersive experience for viewers. Hopping on this friendly whale won’t just rejuvenate you with sensations you’ve never felt before, but will also empower you to join us in our mission to protect the world.
Could you share with me some challenges you encountered while organizing the exhibit, as well as the key aspects that received your special attention?
The toughest challenge was selecting and fitting the extensive range of art we desired for this exhibition within its size constraints. Despite this hurdle, the teams at NANZUKA and PARCO proved exceptional, offering their unwavering support. Consequently, we managed to display the carefully chosen artworks.
As a fortunate creator, I’ve been incredibly blessed by the selfless generosity of my team. Their unwavering backing is something I deeply appreciate, and I truly believe it is this form of support that empowers artists such as myself to freely explore our artistic identities.
How did you feel when you actually saw the completed exhibition hall?
P: I was incredibly joyful. Normally, things tend to go awry because of numerous issues, but with NANZUKA and the PARCO team by our side, we managed to open successfully. They feel more like kin to us.
Finally, do you have a message for the readers of TopMob?
B: I’m genuinely gratified to receive a warm welcome from the Japanese community. We appreciate their collective mindset of mutual care. The unique blend of Japanese culture, sensitivity, and skill in craftsmanship is something that leaves a deep impression on Western observers.
Initially, I’d like to express my gratitude. Thank you very much. Our aim is to find fresh, inspiring opportunities, and that can be achieved through mutual love. You might encounter these elements even within the realm of fashion. We invite you to join us at this exhibition!
The venue for the event is PARCO MUSEUM TOKYO, located at Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 15-1, Udagawacho. The dates for this event are from Friday, September 13 to Monday, September 30. The hours of operation are from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (11:00-21:00). The theme of the event appears to be “Ocean – Temple of the Sacred Heart.
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2024-10-07 17:56