by ANDO Saeko (b.1968)
Heisei period, 2016
Coloured lacquers
50 x 35 x 1.4 cm.
Sealed
“You cannot see what I have hidden under the final layer around the black moon. Here are colours and textures that will only become visible over the next 2 to 3 years. The lower part of the piece in particular will become noticeably brighter and more vivid as the lacquer gains transparency thanks to its chemical reaction over time. As the contrast between the darkness and the light becomes stronger, my intention is to capture the increasing power of the black hole.
The patterns on the black hole moon are all drawn free hand, without a prepared sketch, letting the energy I felt create spontaneous shapes. To create different glossiness and textures of black, I used a variety of blends of natural lacquers from Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar, which all have very different characteristics. Because the patterns are all black on black, although you can see them you can’t see them all at the same time. As your viewpoint changes, different patterns are seen and different meanings implied. This reminds us of a central Buddhist concept where perceived reality is considered illusory, not in the sense that it is a fantasy, but in the sense that our perceptions mislead us – being distorted by uniquely personal subconscious fears, hopes and desires.”