SHIORI EDA

Commonly used in Japan, the Japanese expression ‘対 岸 の 火 事’ (‘Taigan no kaji’, which means ‘Fire on the other side’ or ‘This is not my problem’ in English) has become a core idea in Shiori Eda’s works. When seeing my neighbour’s land burning, shouldn’t I concern? Global warming has continued unabated when the world population is growing today.

Is it possible for us to give up from living like the hermit in nature and separate from the rest of the world? Is it possible to evolve without distinguishing natural sciences, politics and philosophy?

Staying at home and turn a blind eye to the outdoor environment is called ‘Snail Complex’. Shiori Eda’s works invite us to refigure how to live outside, to grasp the beauty and destructive force of nature in order to better understand the challenges we face. Earth is our planet lost in the vastness of an astronomical universe. Let’s connect with humans and nature to feel their physical and spiritual balance. Empathy, mutual aid and courage must become our benchmarks to move forward and evolve towards a better world. So let’s not let our neighbour’s land burn down, bring them to the top of the mountain, and start considering our common future.