Junebug Rhapsody

The theme chosen for Salvaged Tapes 2023 is "Mizukagami - Water Reflection," a concept deeply rooted in symbolism and the historical significance of mirrors.

Throughout history, mirrors have held a mysterious allure, representing a connection to other realms and a means to reflect truth.

In ancient times, the absence of manufactured mirrors led humanity to rely on the reflection of water.

Why do we continue to gaze into mirrors in the modern age?

The answer to this question varies depending on an individual's state of mind while peering into the mirror. Some seek confirmation of their existence, while others strive to discover the path towards their ideal selves.

Although the fundamental motive of "seeing" or "wanting to see" may remain constant over time, the advent of crystal-clear, artificially manufactured mirrors has altered the experience. When we look into these modern mirrors, do we truly perceive what we desire to see?

ermhoi, in her artistic works, explores the unexpected fluctuations that occur in response to intentional or motivated actions.

Memories, as we revisit them, undergo an active process of reconstruction, causing them to diverge from the objective reality as time passes.

The act of calmly observing such divergences and solidifying them into new works of art, encompassing the inception of the action and the fluctuating responses, may bear resemblance to affirming us-individuals inherently characterized by wavering reflections received from the surface of water. In essence, it is an affirmation of our fluctuating physical and psychological states.