VIRTUAL EXPO

MuSHi is an art collective that uses the ancient Japanese technique of "musubr" (knotting) with hemp - a traditional plant and material native to Japan - to connect and revive the frayed edges of contemporary society. The concept of "musubi" is deeply rooted in Japanese mythology. symbolizing the power of rebirth and the energy of new beginnings. In Shinto shrines and other sacred places in Japan, ropes and knots made from hemp serve as "kekkai", boundaries that divide the sacred and secular realms. These boundaries, connecting the two worlds, are a universal element in Japanese life. As an island nation at the far eastern edge of the Eurasian continent, Japan has constantly experienced the flow and flux of cultural exchange. Through the ages, Japan has "tied" and bonded external, foreign values to its own, integrating the 'other' while maintaining and evolving a unique cultural identity. This exhibition by MuSuHi explores the Japanese language, the foundation of these concepts. In Japanese, "kotodama" (or word spirits) are created from prioritizing the sound of words over their meaning, where each vowel-based sound resonates and harmonizes with others. These ancient sound combinations transcend time, resonating through people's cells with a timeless energy. Through a contemporary interpretation of this ancient knotting technique. we hope visitors will perceive the echoes of time, from invisible but palpable frequencies, receiving a universal energy that promotes harmony rather than conflict.