KIMURA Momoko

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KIMURA Momoko

Participating Project	Exchange Residency Program (Japan-based creators sent abroad)
Activity Based	Tokyo
City / Place stayed	Montreal, Quebec / Centre Clark
Period	2024.4 - 2024.7

Purpose of the residency

I was strongly interested in the news reports of the large forest fires in Quebec, Canada in 2023. I felt that Japan and Canada have many things in common, as both countries enjoy a great deal from mountains and live side by side with disasters at the same time.
I would like to incorporate a broad perspective on the symbiosis between the natural environment and humankind into my work, focusing on the current Canadian wood industry and the historical relationship between indigenous peoples and trees surrounding forests.
I will further develop the installations I have presented in Japan using branches that I have collected, and through my work I will consider the sense of time expressed in wood and the time in which humans live.

Plan during the residency

• I will go into the forest and make sketches. If possible, I would like to interact with people involved in the forestry industry to hear about the current situation surrounding timber in Canada and the current state of forest fires.
• Visit Art museums and research Indigenous craftsmanship and nature beliefs. I would also like to research contemporary artists with indigenous roots in Canada.
• Research and collect materials at the same time. Branches and stones are picked up at the places visited and later processed for use in the work.
• The picking up of branches and stones is also documented on video and photographs and used as part of the artwork.
• Process collected materials for the production of artworks. Consider using the woodworking workshop at the Centre Clark. Thinking with the hands.

Activities during the residency

Prompted by an interest in Canadian forest fires, I explored how the people of Montreal perceive and live with forests and trees. Using interviews and research, I created works for an installation. At the wood shop, where I spent much of my time, I shared the workspace and conversations with various artists and craftsmen, gaining firsthand insight into their creative processes and daily rhythms.

Outcome of the residency

As I delved into my research theme of forest fires, I came to understand that they are not merely disasters but essential processes for the larger cycle of life. I was also struck by the unexpected severity of ice storm damage, prompting me to collect and use wood from trees felled by such storms in my works. Additionally, just before my arrival, a solar eclipse occurred in North America, and many locals shared their awe-inspiring experiences with me. Imagining the eclipse I couldn't witness, I contemplated how the sun impacts Earth, triggering various phenomena, including natural disasters, which contribute to the grand cycle of nature. Based on these insights from my research and interactions with locals, I created an installation space featuring multiple works. These pieces depicted scenes of natural phenomena, including distant natural disasters, as part of a new cycle of life, centered around a device that mimics a solar eclipse using materials I had gathered.
I utilized the well-equipped Wood Shop to explore new methods of creating sculptural works, differing from my previous hand-tool-based approaches. Additionally, I challenged myself to express through new media by incorporating video projection into my pieces, with advice from an artist skilled in electronics.
Another major accomplishment was the opportunity to interact with many artists and local people by participating in life drawing sessions, attending gallery opening parties, and going to various events in the city. I made friends whom I could rely on not only for production and research but also for daily life, and through the dialogue with them, I deepened my understanding of the place where I was staying. Montreal is home to immigrants from various countries and regions, and I became aware of the ongoing impact of colonialism through discussions about postcolonialism that naturally arose while talking about artworks and by watching theater addressing the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada. 
To bring back works made from locally obtained wood, I explored various methods for phytosanitary quarantine and transportation of heavy objects, and created the works with these considerations in mind. As a result, I naturally transitioned from large, heavy sculptural works to smaller, disassemblable installations, with a heightened focus on space and light. In the future, I will be more interested in the inherent meanings of materials.
Furthermore, I intend to remain aware of the ongoing impacts of colonialism, not only in the context of postcolonialism but also in relation to Japan and neighboring Asian countries. Utilizing the many experiences and insights gained during this stay, I aim to continue challenging myself with activities abroad.

Creator Information