Yokohama Triennale 2014

©Morimura Yasumasa+ROJIAN

The future is unknown. But a ship has set sail from Yokohama Port, and to be completely honest, the journey is likely to be risky with me as the captain.

Being an artist, I’ve never had the chance to serve as the artistic director of any international exhibitions. I'm taking the wheel for the first time and the ship has already left port without my having had a chance to learn how to steer.

But it seems to me that this kind of slightly reckless launch is exactly what’s needed for an international exhibition today.

Since 2000, international exhibitions have sprung up everywhere, both in Japan and abroad, and there is no longer anything special or different about them. The scale is merely large. And the festive air is merely an amusement. Many are reduced to a symbol of populism, globalism, and localism. Market principles have exerted a consciously strong influence on the art world, prompting questions not only from those concerned but also from viewers. And though these people may still be in the minority, they are bound to increase as time goes by.

I’m not a fundamentalist, so I have no desire to unilaterally decide that art should be one way or another. And I would never opt for try to limit art by applying rigid constraints and eliminating all of the works that did not conform to them. But at the same time a total absence of rules would only lead to difficulties. Though I want to maintain a forum for free expression, I want to get rid of the idea that freedom should be the sole conviction.

So, what exactly are my convictions? I believe in the “conscience of art.” If there is a god of art, I would ask that the works that we present to him or her be offerings that can be presented without shame.

Thus, a professional curator, who knows that the key to success lies in one’s ability to deal with that head wind called “reality,” might see my views as little more than the dreams of an idealist and admonish me for being so naive in light of the fact that I have never assumed the weighty mantle of artistic director. And it’s true – having a childish artist whose only standards of value are dreams and ideals at the helm is extremely perilous. Yet with the outlook of an insecure novice trying to recapture the fading spirit of adventure, I'm setting out on this voyage with a fresh preparedness as I head into the unknown of the art world. And this in itself is sure to lead to some worthwhile proposals.

Though the nearly two-year journey will be a long one, I hope you can keep a close eye on the ship’s progress with a sense of curiosity and affection. I look forward to working with you all.

(Statement released on Dec.18, 2012)