Interview with Exhibition Artists at the 61st Venice Biennale: Shimada Miko + Bubu de la Madeleine. Amplifying Minority Voices to the World
Shimada Miko and Bubu de la Madeleine discuss their participation in the Venice Biennale and their mission to amplify minority voices.Summary
From May 9 to November 22, the 61st Venice International Art Exhibition is taking place, featuring Japanese artists Shimada Miko and Bubu de la Madeleine in the main exhibition "In Minor Keys." The duo is presenting individual works as well as new and old works as a unit, and their performance "Procession for the Fallen Comrades and Fallen Angels" held on May 6 has garnered significant attention. Their artistic activities began in the 1990s with Ota Fine Arts in Tokyo, and they have consistently addressed issues surrounding women and the socially vulnerable for over 30 years. After a period of separation in the 2010s, they made a full comeback with solo exhibitions in 2022 and 2023. The invitation to the Venice Biennale came through a contact from curator Rashad Salty, who passionately conveyed her desire to invite them. Shimada interprets the concept of "In Minor Keys" as "not the majority, things that have been overlooked," while Bubu views it through the lens of "minority" as the voices of the dead. The pre-opening performance was conceived to mourn comrades who died fighting against social injustice and to express a wish to create a world where all living beings can be blessed.
(Source：Tokyo Art Beat)