Tamashii no Kodama
Echoes of the Spirit
History can be felt.
Every object radiates an energy or spirit
offering clues to the society and culture in which it is found.
The work of Amanta Scott has been described
as a contemporary archaeological dig.

Tamashii no Kodama
Echoes of the Spirit

"Tamashii no Kodama and Glove Forest are
two of the most alluring appropriation installations
that I have seen anywhere."
Richard McNeill: President, Sculptor's Society of Canada;
Director: Canadian Sculpture Gallery

 
Exhibitions:
1998

Royal Ontario Museum, Canada
Edmonton Art Gallery, Alberta, Canada

1996

Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan
Background:

In Japan, Amanta found kimonos thrown out for the garbage:
but folded and tied in traditional "furoshiki" wrapping cloths.

She asked the reason and was told that traditionally the kimono is thought to retain the spirit of the person by whom it was once worn, hence it is thrown away with respect.

Amanta had long felt that all objects carry echoes
of their former owners and uses...
Local farmer contemplates the installation in progress

In recognition of these parallel beliefs, Amanta began to create a kimono curtain,
consisting of thirty-six kimonos sewn together at the shoulders, hems and sleeves.

Amanta salvaged kimonos
from the garbage and gratefully accepted donations of other kimonos from interested locals.
view of work in progress at mountaintop studio:
Hino Hara Mura, Japan

The energy one feels emanating from this curtain is both comforting and unsettling.

Use of such cultural objects as these kimonos, serves to provoke the viewer to consider the history of the objects, what their owners may have done in their time, what has been done to them... as well as the idea of the faceless "other " in our society.

The work also represents the artist's impression of a predominantly one-nation culture, the fabric of a united people, the almost impenetrable wall of tradition and the beauty of the individuals encountered while living in Japan.
Donor of kimonos poses in front of
 Tamashii no Kodama
at Canadian Embassy in Tokyo
Technical Info

Consists of 36 kimonos
Constructed in 4 free-standing panels
with 9 kimonos per section.
Width: approx. 4 meters per panel
Height: variable

The panels may be arranged in groups
of two, four, or in successive rows.


Tamashii no Kodama, Edmonton Art Gallery

© 2000 - 2006 Leading Tone Arts Productions Inc.
Revised: Fri, Jan 27, 2006