Artist Statement
The three characters featured in this work, Puruto-kun, Natriumko-chan and Monju-kun, are mascots that were created for publicity purposes many years ago by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, but became well known in Japan after the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 11 March 2011. Now each character has an unofficial Twitter account.
'In Theme Park, I have turned these cartoon characters into toys that children can ride. On the side of each toy is a sign that states caution. Some people ignore the potential danger and place their children on the toys, while others heed the warning.'
2013
This project was part of Sharjah Biennial 11
Commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation
Artwork Images
Theme Park
Miki Kasahara
2011—2012
Five sculptures
FRP (glass fiber reinforced plastics), iron
90 x 90 x 90 cm each
Installation view
Commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation
Image courtesy of the Artist
Related
Kasahara, Miki
Miki Kasahara is inspired by daily life and the incongruities of contemporary society.
March Meeting 2013: Towards a New Cultural Cartography
This publication takes as its starting point Yuko Hasegawa’s curatorial concept for Sharjah Biennial 11: Re:Emerge – Towards a New Cultural Cartography and March Meeting 2013.