Juri Onuki engages with the work of George Miyasaki, whose paintings will be on view during her performance. Drawing inspiration from Miyasaki's abstract and textural explorations, Onuki brings these forms into movement, embodying the meditative and transformative aspects of Zen philosophy. Her approach positions Zen as a stabilizing mechanism for Japanese Americans in the post-World War II era, suggesting how cultural practices provided a sense of identity and resilience amidst displacement and loss.

Throughout the performance, Onuki enacts a series of everyday gestures and movements that mirror the abstract qualities of Miyasaki's art. These gestures are rooted in the concept of wabi-sabi—finding beauty in imperfection—and explore themes of transience, balance, and adaptation. By situating herself among Miyasaki's works, Onuki creates a dynamic interplay between the stillness of visual art and the fluidity of the human body, blurring the line between the observer and the observed.

Keetin Mayakara's improvised modular synth performance complements this exploration, creating an evolving soundscape that responds directly to Onuki's movements. The synthesized sounds are layered and textured, mirroring Miyasaki's use of color and form, and contribute to an immersive atmosphere where sound, movement, and visual art converge. Together, Onuki and Mayakara's collaboration invites viewers to consider the complexity of Japanese American identity, using the language of art, sound, and performance as a means to explore themes of memory, resilience, and cultural continuity.

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video: Jason Hirata

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