To the uninitiated, it was not unlike stepping into a life-sized lego set with each 2-D kite carefully affixed to form a 3-D sculpture. I loved that he used kites, taking an aspect of his own culture and making something that is sophisticatedly, and most importantly, universally beautiful. The use of kites also delivered a sense of carefree weightlessness - I'm sure the room wouldn't have felt quite as tranquil if the kites were made of something solid such as the lego bricks I previously mentioned.
On a related note - just a few nights ago, a close friend and I were eating at Ippudo Ramen restaurant on 51st street between 8th and 9th avenue. While the service and food were excellent and akin to what we have had in Japan itself, I was a little thrown off by how the staff would bow and bellow greetings in Japanese to their customers. I felt that it robbed Ippudo of its authenticity as a Japanese restaurant, counteracting the very reason the staff were taught the greetings in the first place. While I understand that it is a different context and entirely different industry, I feel that sometimes in foreign countries outside of Asia, the Asian (or any foreign culture really) culture is often depicted in a way that is highly exaggerated or played up to appeal to their audiences. It is often the result of an archaic Orientalism that lacks a modern, educated understanding of what that culture actually represents and perpetrators are often even people from that culture itself!
In a very long-winded way, I mean to say that Hashimoto seems to have risen above all that, and through this exhibition I felt that he was able to deliver the sentiments of his culture successfully on a universal level without hyperbolizing or sensationalizing any aspect of it. I loved this showcase and would definitely recommend it to anyone.
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