Akinorium is an aurally pleasing artwork from Akinori Matsumoto that I really loved. I had a lot of luck when I visited as I was the only one when I entered. When I entered the artwork, I just heard some sounds. It seemed as if someone left the water running a little, or someone was tapping some bamboo sticks together. This is actually pretty accurate for what the entire artwork is all about.
Akinorium
Akinorium
When you enter the artwork, you see a shadow of the entire artwork being projected onto a white screen. You hear the artwork at the same time and you can’t really understand what is happening. The artwork takes up the second floor of the building, and some of it does extend to the first floor, but you have to head up the ladder to really understand what things are all about.
Akinorium
Akinorium
When you get to the second floor landing, you just grab a cushion and relax. The sounds that Akinori Matsumoto programmed are very relaxing. Everything looks like a Rube Goldberg machine but they are all carefully designed and independent of each other. They do interact with each other aurally but not physically. As you adjust to your surroundings, you see things such as a hanging chain of bamboo, fans, micro bamboo drums, bamboo flutes, and many more.
Akinorium
Akinorium
As I sat and watched everything, I was amazed at the design and how everything was setup. After a couple minutes, I was joined by another woman. Things were still fine and I was still enjoying the artwork until a small group came in. The second floor landing is a bit small, so I decided to take off as I had finished enjoying the artwork.
Akinorium
Akinorium
When I got back downstairs, I was happy to see the projection again and while all of the pieces on the second floor were not together, when looking at the projected image, they were all together in what looked like a complex watch. It made a lot more sense to me the second time I saw it and it was just as amazing, if not more. Mr. Matsumoto really has an interesting way of combining motion and sounds and you really have to see it in person to fully appreciate it.
Akinorium
Information
- Akinorium (Official Setouchi Triennale Site)
- Akinori Matsumoto (Official YouTube Channel)
- Akinori Matsumoto (Official Site)
- Akinorium on Ogijima (Setouchi Explorer)