Tokyo artist’s ‘border in caravan’ encamped at Ebrington

TOKYO artist Shiro Masuyama’s exploration of the Irish border in an ‘art caravan’ in Ebrington until Sunday, October 27.
Tokyo artist Shiro Masuyamas exploration of the irish border in a caravan is at Ebrington until Sunday (October 27).Tokyo artist Shiro Masuyamas exploration of the irish border in a caravan is at Ebrington until Sunday (October 27).
Tokyo artist Shiro Masuyamas exploration of the irish border in a caravan is at Ebrington until Sunday (October 27).

The installation has been created as part of the City of Culture programme for 2013, and returns to the city for weekend viewings throughout November and December.

After Londonderry the caravan will go on display at a number of border locations over the coming months, as Shiro explained.

“I have converted the interior of the caravan into two parts, one half has a British design and the other half an Irish design,” he said.

He said that British objects have been used on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland side and Irish objects have been used on the Republic of Ireland side.

A third section features a hybrid of British and Irish objects.

“When the caravan is placed on some borderline points between Derry~Londonderry (Northern Ireland) and Donegal (Republic of Ireland) I hope to develop the project by talking to people on both sides of the border and adding objects and or correcting the display to the right direction,” he said.

“Since I started living in Northern Ireland, I’ve found it difficult to understand the particular differences between Irish and British culture in such a complex society.

“The idea of the caravan is to create a small museum to show the difference of each culture.”

Claire McDermott, Cultural Programmer with Culture Company 2013, said: “We are delighted to welcome Shiro Masuyama to Ebrington, as one of the individual artists who has received funding as part of our 2013 programme.

“It’s always fascinating to view alternative perceptions of our culture, and Shiro’s work certainly offers a unique insight, especially in the presentation of his work.

“I would encourage everyone to visit the installation, and join in our celebration of contemporary art over the coming months.”

Shiro was born in Tokyo in 1971 and moved to Belfast in 2010. Since 2002 he has worked nomadically, taking part in residencies and winning awards for his work all over the world.

Borderline will be located on Ebrington Square from October 22 - 27, and on Saturdays and Sundays throughout November and December.