ONO Yumiko

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ONO Yumiko

Participating Project	Exchange Residency Program (Japan-based creators sent abroad)
Activity Based	Hyogo (Japan)
City / Place stayed	Edinburgh / Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
Period	2023.4 - 2023.6

Purpose of the residency

In this program at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, I would like to investigate the possibility of scalable works, which is my current interest in my practice. By examining structure, materials, how to make molds, how to assemble objects, I would like to create works of art and the system, which could be potentially enlarged up to the size of actual architecture in the future. Simultaneously, I have been researching on Brutalist architecture for several years and I would like to deepen my understanding of it by researching in the UK, where is the birthplace of Brutalism.

Plan during the residency

• Research on Brutalist architecture in Edinburgh (including research at library, archive, etc)
• Discussion with architects and engineers to investigate how to create high and large structure by assembling multiple of the same objects.
• Discussion with various experts about materials of the molds for my work, shapes of the molds, materials of the object that I cast by the molds.
• Production of the mold and objects by casting them up to certain amount to see how large I can make by assembling the objects.
• Creating a few prototypes and picking one or more and producing more pieces to enlarge the object as large as possible.

Activities during the residency

I conducted research on Brutalist architectures in Edinburgh. I visited approximately 30 buildings and collected academic materials of the existing Brutalist buildings in Edinburgh at the library of the University of Edinburgh and etc. Then I created two large artworks in the courtyard of Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop. They are experimental works made of wood and 1,000 ceramic tiles, which can change their shapes using the same materials. In April, I participated in the open studio, in May I held four workshops for local elementary school students, and in June I held an event called "Yumiko Ono: Courtyard Event" to invite the public to view the two works in the courtyard.

Outcome of the residency

It was a great experience for me because I had never made such a large piece of work with wood before and I was able to try the largest size for an assembled piece. I would like to explore the possibilities of wood as well as ceramics in the future. I would like to make better arrangements when making large works in the future, as I encountered some problems that did not exist when making small works. In the future, I would like to make use of this experience to create even larger works. The staff and everyone I met during the residency were very kind to me, and it was one of the most special residencies I have ever had in terms of the relationships I formed with people.　It was also good that even though it was one of the largest productions I have ever created, I did not have to throw anything away. The relationships with the people around us made it possible to recycle materials, and in the process, new ideas were born, which was wonderful.

Creator Information