bon 2
July 2022 at Citizenship at Documenta 15
The nature of humans is social. The individuals deal with existential questions about his/her life within communities. Through common rituals, particular shared special places, times of the year shared stories and mythologies. This way the individual doesn’t have to deal with questions like death not only alone. Reiko Kanazaws projects focus on the question of community both historically and contemporary through organized dinners for a group people on particular special days that refer to ancient origins of social ceremonies. These for example have the function to bring the world of the living within their social existence and the dead closer together. Particular times of transition are being differentiated from the everyday with rituals. Celebrating recurring events of the year with particular foods is a very important part of Japanese tradition. Inspired by the social character of these Reiko Kanazawa organizes each year four dinner events: during 'equinox' (spring and autumn), and 'bon' a Japanese custom after summer solstice, as well as 'New Year'. Through these special dinners we have the opportunity to gain awareness of the social, corporeal and ephemeral nature of our physical presence as well as the seasons.
