Fuka

Japanese artist Kosei Komatsu is known for his ethereal mobile installations featuring light, shadows, air and nature (http://kosei-komatsu.com). The interaction of elements create beautiful environments for viewers to experience. Yet in researching his work I came across an early installation of Komatsu from 2004, Fuka, featured in a graduate exhibition at Musashino Art University. The room of red feathers, already signalling his interest in nature and lightness, sends up plumes of feathers as the viewer enters, unaware that unseen and nearby Komatsu is manually activating the feathers to explode into the air. It’s humorous and surreal, and the low-tech set-up is later featured in the simplicity of his mobile sculptural work. What I also loved is the reaction of the viewers—unexpected, wonder and just fun!