Madoka Chiba

Exhibition "Light Rays" at GOG, Fukushima, 2019

Making the Earth
2019
Video Installation

Striving to replicate the Earth's core, this work involves melting peridots and garnets, known as gems and significant components of the Earth's core. Furthermore, the connection between the sun and the Earth, facilitated by sunlight, is highlighted. The positional relationship between the sun and the Earth is also indicated by projecting it onto the floor.
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Utopia
2019
Millet, LED Lights, Water Polymers, Nutrient, Petri dish, Mixed Media
Dimensions Variable

Comprising three LED lights in a blend of red and blue, a water-absorbing polymer enriched with nutrients, and millet sown atop the polymer, this piece creates an environment mimicking a utopia for plants with abundant light and constant water retention. The millet at the center receives light from various angles, and the absorbent polymer ensures consistent water supply. Despite this seemingly ideal environment, the hydroponic nature makes it challenging for plants to reproduce, and limited root depth adds a harsh dimension. The triangles formed by the LED lights suggest the inherent instability within this utopian setup. The seeds for this work were planted on November 8, 2019, the exhibition's opening day, and was nurtured until the exhibition concludes on January 31, 2020.


Rays
2019
Cloth, Sunlight

The cloth, that hanged on the window sill of the house where I currently live, captures shadow at the window.
In the center-left is the trace of a lace curtain, and in the center-right is the shadow of something. Normally shadows do not remain, but in Hiroshima, the shadows of people and things were left behind by the atomic bomb. This work recreates the unusual situation where shadows remain and let you think about the meaning to remain shadows.

Maximum and Minimum Temperature Records 2019
2019
Paper, Ink

The cloth hanging on the window sill of my current residence captures shadows from the window. In the center-left, a trace of a lace curtain is visible, and in the center-right, the shadow of an object is cast. Typically, shadows don't endure, but in Hiroshima, the atomic bomb left behind shadows of people and objects. This artwork recreates the uncommon circumstance where shadows persist, prompting contemplation on the significance of lingering shadows.
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