NYAB Event - Yoko Naito “Silence of Breath"

Yoko Naito “Silence of Breath"

graphite.

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In this exhibition, graphite. transforms into a space of serene tranquility. Surrounded by Naito’s photographs of various animals, one may falsely think the room mimics a zoo, but the gravity of the exhibition suggests anything but. The animals, with their sincere silent eyes, seem to be staring at us with a faint yet peaceful omniscience. “The philosophy behind the exhibition is to create a place where we are not disturbed, where we can see ourselves as we are,” says Naito. “The animals are a metaphor of a freedom that we have long forgotten.” According to Naito, after many generations of human self-assertion, these great creatures that once ruled the earth have gradually adapted to becoming the “listener” of human egoism. They are portrayed confined in her photographs, some with legs cut off, symbolizing the restrained state that they have been put in. “We impose ourselves on others too much, without the will or patience to listen to others,” Naito explains. “I wanted to create a time and space where we can reset ourselves to be in harmony with these animals and listen as they do. “

Yoko Naito is a photographer from Japan. She regards her camera as a travel companion on her voyage to find where she belongs. She has visited approximately 100 cities around the world, documenting them and the rapid change they undergo. In her journey, she witnessed the dissolution of human relationships with the advancement of technology—a theme she decided to take on in her art work. Naito has studied photography at the Nihon University College of Art in Tokyo and the International Center of Photography in New York. She has exhibited in several group exhibitions including “J-Art” at the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, “Air” at the SPACE WOMB gallery, and “An Infinite Journey” at Gallery K.