Naohiro Ukawa: Capturing A Typhoon

Right now it’s the 2nd time since 2004 that the Roppongi Crossing exhibition at Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, is featuring Japanese artists “you must see now.” For the 2007 version, 36 artists are presented: both more established and young, up-and-coming creators show their skills with painting, sculpture, film, video - and manga and games. Now, one in particular has caught not only our eye: “A Series of Interpreted Catharsis episode 1 –Typhoon” is the latest installation by Naohiro Ukawa. This special graphic designer, music video director, and artist is easily to spot - his distinctive mark are his various cowboy-style hats! For now, as Ukawa himself has experienced the destructive power of typhoons three times, PingMag learns all about the man who captured a typhoon.

Written by Chiemi
Translated by Kevin Mcgue

Your current work at Roppongi Crossing is a follow-up to your solo exhibition at Nanzuka Underground in April, “A Series of Interpreted Catharsis episode 2 – earthquake.” Why do you deal with natural disasters in the first place?

I grew up in Kagawa Prefecture, in Shikoku, where there are really a lot of typhoons. Actually, I have been a victim of them three times so far: when I was in kindergarten, when I was a 4th grader, and again, when I was in the first year of high school and our home was flooded by typhoons. Back in kindergarten, my favourite things were my Bikkuri Man Chocolate sticker collection, my Ban-Ban ball and paddle, and my Mora toy. And all of them were washed away in a typhoon! When I was in the fourth grade of elementary school a typhoon slammed my hometown again, but this time I actually found it an uplifting experience. You know, experiencing a typhoon can create an uplifting, ambient feeling. I wanted to express that through my art.

Now you have caged a typhoon. Why?

I wanted to recreate a vicarious experience of the eye of the storm. As you all remember, in 2005, Florida and Mississippi were hit by Hurricane Katrina. Many people died and Mississippi was in a state of near collapse. For the victims, the experience could not have been more real. However, I was obsessed with the moments before the storm. The strongest winds in Katrina reached 78 meters a second - but in my latest installation, winds reach around 30 meters a second to experience the atmosphere of the night before Katrina arrived. It is perhaps better to say that I have captured the feeling of the night before the storm comes.

Inside the wind tunnel there is currency from many countries flying around (slightly reminding of KLF’s brilliant actions back in the 90s). What was that all about?

Typhoons don’t really care about borders, and after they hit, the towns must be rebuilt. Also, from my own experience I know that when a typhoon hits, many of your personal belongings are carried off, and replacing all of these becomes an economic problem. For example, a neighbourhood association contributes money that is used to deploy items for the community - only to be destroyed in the disaster. Afterwards, only the things that are really needed can be replaced. People suddenly understand the distance between themselves and the things around them. I also thought that currency is something that has value all around the world, and paper money could express that thus carrying these two metaphors.

This is a bit off topic, but I’m curious to know how much cash you used for this installation…?

I really can’t tell you the exact amount, but it’s in the double digit thousands in currency from over 60 countries… Interestingly, when you go inside the cage, you get a feeling of the smell of money. A bill is handled by many people, and their sweat permeates the paper. This is also a part of its value, I think. By collecting the money and having it blown around like that, we can actually see how typhoons cross borders, blowing around all sorts of germs. This is one way of visualising that.

Sounds like a lot of money! Okay. Also, by getting inside this work, you have a sweeping view of Tokyo’s night skyline. Can you tell us about that?

I thought creating a huge washing machine for money in Roppongi Hills [which is associated with Japan's noveau riche] is almost like money laundering! (laughs) The night skyline and hard cash are strong icons of financial scandals, and this adds an ironic touch to the piece.

Outside the wind tunnel is a setting just like a small theatre…

That is Katrina’s bedroom. Some other countries do this as well, but in America the storms are always personified. There are some male storm in America too but Katrina got a girl’s name. Since I caged a typhoon, I wanted to hold it in a place that is easy to live for a woman. That is my way of showing my affection for Katrina.

How about the actual construction? For the most important part, the machinery to produce all that wind, you worked with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries…

That was extremely difficult to produce: To make the money spin around, we had to have air pumped in from six separate spots below, and blend them together. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are aerodynamics experts that made the propellers for the Zero fighters in the War. This same company produced a typhoon of sorts that hit America, causing economic chaos. That adds a very poignant aspect to the work.

During the Katrina disaster, an obviously not quite sane American weatherman claimed that Japanese yakuza started the storm using Russian-made electro-magnet generators. Did you know that?

Of course, you can’t generate a tropical storm. I heard about that only after making this installation and thought that what I am doing really is quite similar. (laughs) But I did not make this installation for destruction. By the way, my next work will take this on the next level: An installation in the room next to this work that will express the full force of Katrina’s strongest winds…

Naohiro Ukawa in action.

Any comments for visitors of Roppongi Crossing?

I want everyone to experience it. It is the same as a real typhoon, and swirls around in the same way as Katrina, causing these bank notes to fly around.

It will be very interesting to see how many people will actually try to steal some of the cash too…

I was really worried about that, but there are four security cameras, so please don’t! As an interesting visual, the camera footage can also be viewed…

To Ukawa, the man who captured a typhoon, many thanks! If you visit the exhibition, don’t even think about sneaking away with any of the money!

Exhibition:
Roppongi Crossing 2007: Future Beats in Japanese Contemporary Art
At Mori Art Museum at Roppongi Hills, Roppongi. Map.
Running through Monday, January 14th, 2008.
Opening hours: Every day from 10:00-22:00, except Tuesdays from 10:00-17:00.
Fee: ¥1,500 / ¥1,000.

6 Comments

1. Great. Roppongi, the spiritual home of the nouveau riche in Japan, now has its perfect companion exhibition!

   Best pseudo comment: ‘…we can actually see how typhoons cross borders, blowing around all sorts of germs.’

   Cool banknotes though. Where can I buy those?

   Posted by: Horiemon on October 26th, 2007 at 7:49 pm

2. I loved Roppongi when I visited Tokyo.

   Posted by: okinawa on October 27th, 2007 at 9:34 pm

3. The caged typhoon reminds me of the awesome crystal maze gameshow. They had a similar thing as the final challenge.

   Posted by: j on October 28th, 2007 at 1:28 am

4. Mori celebrates Roppongi Crossing?
   What’s next?
   I think they should have selected a better name for an exhibition dedicated to new young japanese artists…

   Posted by: Frankie on October 28th, 2007 at 4:04 am

5. It was great except I feel like visually it didn’t capture what in my mind a typoon would look like when ripping through and across things. A lot of the money was just stuck in piles and it was just the ballons that were floating around.

   But overall it was interesting and the concept came across well.

   Posted by: Mark Okon on October 28th, 2007 at 12:22 pm

6. [...] Right now it’s the 2nd time since 2004 that the Roppongi Crossing exhibition at Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, is featuring Japanese artists “you must see now.” For the 2007 version, 36 artists are presented: both more established and young, up-and-coming creators show their skills with painting, sculpture, film, video - and manga and games. Now, one in particular has caught not only our eye: “A Series of Interpreted Catharsis episode 1 –Typhoon” is the latest installation by Naohiro Ukawa. This special graphic designer, music video director, and artist is easily to spot - his distinctive mark are his various cowboy-style hats! Read the full story>>> [...]

   Posted by: Kevin Mcgue - Tokyo-Based Journalist & Filmmaker » Naohiro Ukawa: Capturing A Typhoon on March 4th, 2009 at 12:13 am

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