Immersed in Vibrant Emotion: The World of Mika Ninagawa
During our exploration of the captivating Fuorisalone, The10a Projects encountered the electrifying visual world of Japanese photographer and film director, Mika Ninagawa. Born in Tokyo, Ninagawa is celebrated for her vibrant and emotionally charged aesthetic that seamlessly blends photography, film, video, and spatial installation. Her work fearlessly explores the fleeting beauty of life, intertwining light and shadow, life and death, fiction and reality through a rich tapestry of vivid color and potent symbolism.
A recipient of the prestigious Kimura Ihei Photography Award and numerous other accolades, Ninagawa boasts an impressive body of work, including over 120 photobooks and more than 150 solo exhibitions worldwide. Her globally acclaimed exhibitions, such as "Mika Ninagawa with EM: Light of the Other Shore, Shadow of the Sea Shore" (Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, 2025), which drew over 250,000 visitors, underscore her international recognition. She has also garnered significant acclaim for her film direction, with works like Sakuran (2007), Helter Skelter (2012), and FOLLOWERS (Netflix, 2020), boldly pushing the boundaries of visual expression.
The exhibition we experienced at Fuorisalone presented two interconnected bodies of work, offering a glimpse into the multifaceted nature of her artistic vision:
"Within the Breath of Light and Shadow": This immersive installation enveloped viewers in a dreamlike garland of crystals, sun catchers, butterflies, stars, hearts, and dark-toned motifs. The delicate yet striking arrangement evoked the fragile balance between innocence and melancholy, drawing the observer into a space where light and shadow dance in ethereal harmony.
"Liberation and Obsession": Here, Ninagawa presented a series of works where vibrant color and intricate motifs materialized the artist's inner world, capturing the tension between longing and release, memory and imagination. The installation resonated with personal memories and deep emotionality, hinting at both the childlike joy of discovering a treasured toy jewelry box and the quiet weight of unfulfilled desires.
Adding another layer to this sensory experience, Ninagawa collaborated with ANTEPRIMA, translating her visual language into a limited-edition collection of wirebags. Each piece, thoughtfully embellished by the artist, seemed to reflect the spirit of the exhibition: sparkling, sophisticated, and deeply personal.
Mika Ninagawa's presentation at Fuorisalone was a testament to her unique ability to create immersive and emotionally resonant environments. Her fearless use of color and symbolic imagery left a lasting impression, further solidifying her position as a visionary force in contemporary visual art.
Visit her on https://mikaninagawa.com/
From the immersive world of individual artists, our exploration of Fuorisalone also brought us face-to-face with the bold and playful designs of iconic Italian brand Seletti. Get ready to discover their latest creations and the signature Seletti spirit in our upcoming post!
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