ILLUMINATE ME

In the art installation illuminate me, I was inspired by the setting of the artwork. A Shinto shrine dedicated to the goddess of light. Amaterasu Omikami, a Shinto deity with a name that means “Great Divinity Illuminating Heaven”. I specifically focus on her relationship to the Shimenawa, the rice straw rope.

I specifically focus on the sacred rice straw rope that is used in the story of Amaterasu. She once had retreated into a cave taking with her light, as a result darkness was cast on the world, she was lured back into the world by other gods, and a sacred rope was placed at the entrance of the cave to prevent the light goddess from returning to it. This act of defiance against darkness is a life long human struggle that I will try to represent in illuminate me.

The ropes in the center of the structure will be painted an illuminating silver color, inspired by the mirror that brought Amaterasu out of her cave. Japanese paper lamps will be installed inside the rope forest to activate the silver at night. In the end I will try create a centered line of light, a path for the gods to walk.