Simile 1997

Curator: At first glance, I see balance and starkness, but the addition of the red segment in the top block injects something unsettling, a dynamic tension. Editor: Indeed. We're looking at "Simile" by Toko Shinoda, a mixed-media print created in 1997. It’s a fascinating blend of techniques. My focus immediately went to the textures. Look closely, and you’ll see layers, potentially built from lithography, but it evokes a sense of handmade quality that I appreciate. Curator: Shinoda's work often draws from traditional Japanese calligraphy, distilling the essence of characters into abstract forms. Consider how the black strokes might evoke ancient brushstrokes, embodying not just the form but the spirit of those original calligraphic expressions. I find echoes of Zen Buddhism within its arrangement. Editor: Interesting point, and I'd agree that the choice of the traditional color palette limits associations, but the textures, let's not forget them. Those aren't strokes of a brush per se, but evidence of layers – of plates, of ink, and of a specific method for making the print that likely employed techniques pulled from craft. Curator: Still, I believe the deliberate asymmetry serves to prompt a kind of meditative reading, pushing beyond surface interpretations. Red, in many cultures, has strong associations—power, vitality. It contrasts to create, as you say, tension. Editor: The red segment does stand out. But, if we consider the physicality of making this print, questions emerge. How many layers were necessary to create that effect? What specific tools did Shinoda utilize? And, of course, how were those decisions shaped by what was available at her disposal in her particular historical moment? Curator: I can definitely appreciate the grounding presence of Shinoda's working in materiality, so let us reflect then on both: the emotional resonance alongside a rich understanding of the materials and labor of this singular mixed-media creation. Editor: Ultimately, whether ink, paper, or even mental images, "Simile" underscores art's deep connection to physical labor. Each plane provides tactile experience in communication that both informs and evokes.