From September 28 to October 12, 2024, GARDE Gallery will host a solo exhibition by contemporary artist Yuqi Shinohara titled “FROZEN SUPERMARKETS.” Given GARDE’s many projects that closely intertwine art and food, we interviewed the artist to gain insight into her thoughts on the works and the origins of her artistic career.
Shinohara creates video and installation works that explore the inner conflict humans face as our lives are sustained by the sacrifice of other living beings, particularly animals used as food. She shared that, from a young age, she has been deeply interested in animals, both as pets and as a source of sustenance, and these experiences have shaped her current body of work.
The title of this solo exhibition, “FROZEN SUPERMARKETS,” symbolizes the “mental freeze” or numbness that people often experience as they navigate a life built on consuming other living beings.
Artworks Born from Familiar Music and Video
The artworks on display in this exhibition are the result of capturing analog and physical creations through photography and video. From an early age, music was something deeply familiar to Shinohara, and the world of video, which she first explored as a hobby and later mastered through self-study, became central to her artistic expression. For Shinohara, these mediums serve as the “languages” of her art, allowing her to convey her recurring theme of “animals.”
Introduction to Selected Artworks
《round and round》
“round and round” is a video artwork, but what makes it unique is its presentation on video cassette tape, offering a fresh perspective. The method was chosen to emphasize the tactile quality and transformation of objects, aligning with the concept of valuing texture and change. This piece beautifully embodies the connection between her music activities and art.
《PRAY FREE》
“PRAY FREE” is a piece that expresses respect for life by recording and preserving what the artist has eaten on paper. Although it is difficult to remember everything one consumes, the food we ingest becomes part of our bodies and sustains us. The Japanese phrase “itadakimasu” often said before meals to express gratitude for food, serves not only as a gesture of respect for the ingredients but also as a reflection of the inner conflict involved in consuming life. This is the interpretation embodied in this artwork.
The Two Faces of Yuqi Shinohara: Vocalist Q.i and Contemporary Artist
Shinohara is also active as the vocalist Q.i of the band Milk Talk. The name Q.i is derived from her English artist name, Yuqi Shinohara, and represents a simpler approach to her relationship with music. However, when working in the visual arts, she uses her real name, aiming to make her identity clearer and convey her artistic vision more directly to those who experience her work.
In this solo exhibition, her first, you can immerse yourself in a unique world of art that only a multi-talented artist like Shinohara can create. We invite you to come and enjoy this exceptional experience.
Yuki Shinohara Solo Exhibition “FROZEN SUPERMARKETS” – Exhibition Overview
- Exhibition Dates: Saturday, September 28, 2024 – Saturday, October 12, 2024 (Closed on Sundays and public holidays)
- Time: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Venue: GARDE Gallery (NBF ALLIANCE Building 4F, 5-2-1 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
- Admission: Free
Yuqi Shinohara
Yuqi Shinohara, born in 1991, graduated from Hiroshima City University (Faculty of Art) in 2014 and moved to the United States. She also works as a musician under the name Q.i. Her own independent band “Milk Talk” released a full-length album in November 2023. Her retro electro-funk style, which reflects the sensibility of the times, is popular beyond the boundaries of countries and genres. She has provided music for the online game “Fortnite” and Maison Kitsuné’s fall/winter collection.
Instagram: @q.imusic