Yamamoto Seiko

Yamamoto and another residency artist Shimizu Miho, together with Nagano Sakurako and Shimodera Takanori, the two artists from the last year’s residency program who jumped in on the day, talked about what they felt good about FAAM AIR program. They also exchanged frank opinions about what improvements can be made and some other prospects for the residency program.

Yamamoto did a performance in the gallery using a 50cm long iron stick which appears in her video work. The artist hit the wall or objects inside the gallery with the iron stick. Later during the artist talk Yamamoto touched upon the theme of her work, the iron, human body, and its energy while referring to her own experience.

"Overtone of Geometry – Red" was exhibited with her other new drawings and works by students from Seika Gakuen High School (Fukuoka Higashi Branch) who joined the workshop Color Diary - on a Day. Photo credit : KAWASAKI Ittoku

The new artworks by Yamamto, Whitewash, Bleeding Red, Overtone of Geometry – Red, and other drawing pieces created during the residency were exhibited.
Photo credit : KAWASAKI Ittoku

Yamamoto did a sound recording for a narration and editing work.

Yamamoto conducted additional shooting to film temporary walls of the apartment complex, which was being demolished as well as a baby’s skin at home.
Videography: MAKIZONO Kenji

Yamamoto interviewed residents of the Koshiba Apartment Complex, whom she met at the shooting on July 20. The interviewees shared memories of their longtime, soon-to-be-demolished homes and their anxieties before moving into a new place.

With the help of Nippon Steel Corporation Kyushu Works, Yamamoto conducted a two-day shoot to film the iron-making process. The artist visited several facilities inside the factory. The shooting was done under extremely high temperatures, which made it difficult for her even to breathe.
Videography : MATSUDA Gaku

Visited public apartment complex in Fukuoka for new artwork. The artist also met people who currently lives in the apartment and former residents to hear their stories.

Yamamoto talked about her previous video and installation works created based on a theme of “colors of signs” in the new town where she grew up and in different cities which she visited during other residency programs.

Visited Kitakyushu Literature Museum to access resources about the magazine issued by the people who worked at Yahata Steel.

On this day, Yamamoto met students from Seika Gakuen High School (Fukuoka Higashi Branch) and shared stories of herself growing up in a new town, as well as her thoughts regarding previous works. Later, each student recalled one of the days in their lives and
visualized the events of that day with some colors on a paper. They then made a collage piece using these paper cards.

Yamamoto travelled to see the demolition work in an old apartment complex, after 50 years since its construction. The artist also conducted an interview with the staffs and had them choose some discarded objects which she will use in her new artwork.

Yamamoto saw the studio and other facilities in Artist Cafe Fukuoka. After a guidance from FAAM curators and coordinators, Yamamoto’s plan for research and art-making during the residency was shared at the meeting.