The Japanese artist duo KAMI & SASU is known world-wide for their unique productions at exhibitions and their live performances. They create many pieces together and their aesthetics and expressions of form link together with a special kind of harmony. They let themselves be influenced by the impressions and the dynamics of their environment. In Wuppertal, they chose a tunnel at a disused train track for their work and gave the forgotten place a new expression and function and also injected some life into the ruin.
What’s the idea behind your project?
We wanted to see how mural painting would affect the place which fell into ruin. We wanted to make a space alive with our painting which reflects our power, spirit and soul. We usually paint improvisatorially, based on an inspiration by the place. We work on this project as experimental work. Seeing how we are influenced by the whole environment in this city, Wuppertal.
How have you developed your project?
At first, we checked the place. Then we decided a rough framework and motif through our inspiration from the space. We lit a fire before starting our work as a sign of appreciation for the wall and place and wished for the success of the project. We have been building entire shapes according to the layers that follow one after another. Sasu started by drawing the character "kumosha", which brings a light into the darkness. Then Kami’s line became "tiger", which is our Chinese sign and is supposed to reflect our Asian spirit. Then each character developed into the spacecraft, which takes the shape of a tiger’s body. The inspiration from children became cats and flowers. The image of wind blowing into the tunnel is completed. The motif of the cloud done by Kami extends across the whole painting. The described outlook on the world of two becomes one. It tells the story that the spaceship which carries various spirits has come flying in from Japan. Sasu is decorating the rubbish which will become the waste in the hole on the wall. The place which turns into the wheels of the space ship, the centre of the whole motif, is completed. With the completion of the mural, we lit the fire of 108 candles, this way we wish that all our negatives energy are burnt there. And we have completed all processes. During the unexpected thunderstorm, it became a fantastic moment when the sound of the big thunderbolt echoed and crossed through the tunnel.
Why did you decide to be part of the project?
We were charmed to exchange and communicate with other artists about this project. This project was the one which could be expressed the way we wanted to. Also, the thing such as the place for the expression (of our project) is neither only a gallery nor a museum - it is one of interest.
What was special about the project?
The exchange with other artists was good stimulation. Homemade dishes, prepared by staff and artists, the house where we stayed at... It was like a secret artists meeting.
What do you think of Wuppertal as a location for this kind of exhibition?
Ideal. Unlike a city which is filled with a lot of information,.
How much was your project affected by Wuppertal?
We wanted to leave something powerful in this city, Wuppertal, since it is a relatively quiet city. Also it was important to us to create a harmonizing picture
We brought pleasantness and pop from Japan, which we haven’t seen in Germany, apart from the children’s playground on the top of the tunnel.
