Flocks of birds are all over the blue sky, cruising over the river that splits Nagoya. Some touch down on riverbanks and docks, while others chill on power poles or hang out on apartment balconies. Folks wrap their tall buildings in green nets, trying to keep their space from the easygoing birds. My time residing and working in the Nagoya Port area of Japan at the close of 2023 heightened my awareness of the surrounding nature and environment. What particularly intrigued me was the intricate dance of coexistence between the local residents and the substantial bird population. From trash cans and windows to yards, and the concrete structures of bridges and parking lots, no element was exempt from the strategic placement of protective nets, all to ensure that birds do not linger and breed.
In stark contrast to the urban areas of Indonesia, where birds are often captured, confined in cages, and traded as household pets, the Japanese approach is distinct. The prevalence of nets in Japanese society seems to create a unique dynamic, where humans essentially live within their own metaphorical cages, granting birds the freedom to roam. These nets symbolize the human desire for privacy and defined boundaries with the outside world, illustrating a fascinating interplay between societal structures and individual liberties. Birds, symbolizing nature and freedom, are exclusively portrayed in traditional paintings and displayed on the walls of houses. However, in the realm of social life, humans still require control and boundaries. Therefore, the concept of freedom is inherently tied to the notion of limits, reflecting the extent to which individuals are open to and consider other possibilities and choices beyond themselves.
Photography and drawing instalation, 2024
