mariko mori: seven bay light at adobe museum of digital media (AMDM)

‘journey to seven light bay’ by mariko mori all images courtesy of the adobe museum of digital media and mariko mori

‘tida dome: journey to seven light bay‘ by japanese artist mariko mori is now on display at the adobe museum of digital media (AMDM). the exhibition is a digitized understanding of ‘primal rhythm’, a sculptural work by mori partially completed in a small bay of miyako island in okinawa, japan (the physical installation opens on december 22, 2011). the first portion of ‘primal rhythm’, a ‘sun pillar’, has been installed, while the second segment, ‘moonstone’ has been digitally conceptualized in her work displayed at AMDM which you may view here.

as one enters the site, they are greeted by a glowing white orb, the ‘tida dome’ accompanied by a soundscape composed by ken ikeda, with narration by mariko mori. the visitor may then choose to read a statement by curator tom eccles, enter and learn about ‘tida dome’, or view the body of work belonging to the artist. once the viewer is inside, they seem to swim through the shallow waters of the bay, reaching the home page for the installation which is divided into three video segments, ‘journey’, ‘winter solstice’ and ‘changing tide’. mori’s artistic influence draws meaning from the connection between our highly technologically based modern world and nature- ‘primal rhythm’ being a ‘lasting testimony to the beauty of our surroundings’.

still from ‘journey’ part of mori’s process was finding the prime location for the sculptural installation based on the interaction of light and her works at solstice

in ‘journey’, mori’s search for a site in which to implement ‘primal rhythm’ is detailed. she aspired to find a space which could adequately accommodate the winter solstice light. she decided the sun pillar should be lit from the back, casting a shadow onto the moonstone, similar to a sundial.

still from ‘journey’ depicting the interaction between the sun pillar and moonstone

still from ‘winter solstice’ when the tide is high, the moonstone glows blue

still from ‘winter solstice’

‘from the beginning of time, the sun of the winter solstice has been believed to be a symbol of rebirth.‘ -mariko mori

still from ‘winter solstice’

still from ‘changing tides’

‘changing tides’ details the necessity of the moonstone. the sculpture will float in the bay, shifting gently, with its color transitioning with the tide. low tide being red and at high tide becoming blue with a range of five other shades between the two extremes.

still from ‘changing tides’ when the tide is low, the moonstone glows red