Japan Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale: Report on Dr. Arakawa Nash's 'Grass Babies, Moon Babies'. The Weight of Care and History Embodied in 200 Baby Dolls
Dr. Arakawa Nash's 'Grass Babies, Moon Babies' exhibition at the Japan Pavilion of the 61st Venice Biennale invites visitors to experience care by holding 200 baby dolls.Summary
The participatory exhibition 'Grass Babies, Moon Babies' by Japanese-American performance artist Dr. Arakawa Nash opened to the general public at the Japan Pavilion of the 61st Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition on May 9. The work was inspired by the artist's experience as a queer parent following surrogacy in 2024, exploring identity, diaspora, and history through the symbol of the baby. The exhibition features 208 baby dolls of various skin tones, sewn by the artist's mother and others in Fukushima, placed throughout the venue and garden. Weighing approximately 6kg and made of a hard, textured material, these dolls invite visitors to hold them and tour the exhibition space. This act transforms visitors into participants in a performance of care, forcing them to confront the physical weight of the dolls and their own behavior, which is reflected in the dolls' mirrored sunglasses. The experience fosters a collective engagement with care, as visitors become acutely aware of their actions and interactions with others while caring for the dolls.
(Source：Tokyo Art Beat)