Chiharu Shiota’s ‘Between Worlds’ at Istanbul Modern
Istanbul Modern presents “Between Worlds,” a new exhibition featuring the work of renowned artist Chiharu Shiota. Known for her immense structures, Shiota envelops everyday objects in intricate webs of thread, creating what she describes as three-dimensional drawings. The exhibition explores the core theme of migration, inviting visitors to experience the emotional and physical journeys represented through her immersive installations.
Editor: Kübra Nur NilüferÂ
Istanbul Modern, Turkey’s first museum of modern and contemporary art, is now located at Galataport, a prime destination for international cruise ships arriving in the city. Designed by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano and his team, the museum is currently hosting a significant exhibition titled *”Chiharu Shiota: Between Worlds”*. This exhibition, organized in collaboration with Istanbul Modern to celebrate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey, showcases the extraordinary work of Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota.
The exhibition is curated by Öykü Özsoy Sağnak, with Yazın Öztürk serving as assistant curator.
Born in Osaka in 1972, Shiota has been living in Berlin since 1997, where she continues her artistic practice. Spending time in Istanbul to prepare for this exhibition, she was inspired by the city’s unique position at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. The location of Istanbul Modern, directly facing the historic peninsula, further evoked for her the concept of being ‘in between’.
Three-Dimensional Installations with Thread
Chiharu Shiota creates immense structures by enveloping everyday objects in intricate webs of thread. She describes these installations as three-dimensional drawings. The core theme of this exhibition centers around the concept of migration.
Known for her frequent use of black, white, and red, Shiota assigns symbolic meanings to each color. For her, the red threads represent the color of blood running through our veins, symbolizing life energy and the passage of time. The suitcases featured within the installation emphasize the theme of migration and journey. Beyond representing individuals, these suitcases carry deeper symbolic weight—they stand for memories, stories, and collective consciousness. By embedding the suitcases within the thread, Shiota emphasizes the theme of ‘existence within absence’, exploring notions of memory and consciousness through the physical and metaphysical.
Inspired by Istanbul
The “Between Worlds” exhibition draws inspiration from the cosmopolitan identity of Istanbul and the artist’s personal experiences of migration. It offers viewers a space to reflect on their own lives, memories, and relationships within a universal human context. Shiota’s universe of threads, beyond being a visually mesmerizing installation, invites art lovers on a journey of self-exploration.
“Chiharu Shiota: Between Worlds” will be on display at Istanbul Modern until April 20, 2025.
About the Artist
In 2008, Chiharu Shiota received the Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists from Japan’s Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. Her works have been showcased in major international venues, including the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles (2023); Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane (2022); ZKM | Zentrum für Kunst und Medien, Karlsruhe (2021); Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington (2020); Mori Art Museum, Tokyo (2019); and Gropius Bau, Berlin (2019), among many others. She has also participated in numerous prestigious international exhibitions, including the Aichi Triennale, Japan (2022); Sydney Biennale, Australia (2016); and the Venice Biennale, where she represented Japan in 2015.
