Seioh Ezaki, Keiichi Zempo: TAI_ON: Audible Body and Its Enveloping Rhythm

Artist(s):

Title:

TAI_ON: Audible Body and Its Enveloping Rhythm

Exhibition:

SIGGRAPH Asia 2024: Art Gallery: Neither Utopia Nor Dystopia

Medium:

Experiential Installation

Artist Statement:

In an era where digital devices are ubiquitous, people are becoming increasingly dependent on the information and alerts these devices provide, gradually losing touch with their INNER SIGNALS. The constant barrage of notifications and alarms from smartphones, smartwatches, and other digital devices has led to a disconnec- tion between individuals and their inherent biological processes. “TAI_ON” is an experiential installation that aims to bridge this gap and reconnect participants with their bodies by immersing them in a protective space created by a sculpted, 300-year-old tree. The title “TAI_ON” is a play on words that combines the meanings of Japanese words “tai” (body) and “on” (sound), as well as the idea of switching “ON” one’s bodily sensations, aiming to awaken the human body’s innate sensory perceptions. The tree’s thick annual rings act as a temporary shield, shielding participants from the outside world’s constant stimuli and information flow, creating a sanctuary where individuals can temporarily escape the demands of modern life and technology. Within this organic and serene environment, participants are encouraged to attune to their breathing sounds and heartbeat rhythms. “TAI_ON” employs a millimeter-wave radar system that unobtrusively captures participants’ bio- logical data, providing real-time auditory feedback and enhancing the connection between participants and their bodily rhythms. By manipulating the rhythm of the heartbeat and breathing sounds, the installation can also monitor changes in the participants’ biolog- ical responses, allowing for a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between the mind, body, and environment. Following the work “Zeroth” by Zempo presented in SIGGRAPH Asia 2022, which explored the concept of self-awareness, “TAI_ON” emphasizes the auditory sense as a means of promoting self-awareness and reconnection with oneself in the digital age, advocating for the importance of maintaining a connection with one’s own body by providing a space for introspection and self-discovery.