Where The Light Is

 

Oneness artist Kota's

unique light art project,

Where The Light Is

was held at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

(June 16, 2023)

 

At this museum, where the works of legendary Dutch painters

such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Vermeer reside,

the experience was both quiet yet profoundly

moving to the soul.

In true overseas fashion,

some people stopped and exclaimed loudly,

"Wait, look! Beautiful! It's art!"

 

Surely, the light of art

must have illuminated (moved) someone's heart.

 

Next, that person might, in a different way,

illuminate someone else's heart.

It might be through inspiration,
or it might be through love.
The spontaneous spreading of such circles of light
is, I believe, one of the significant meanings
of creating art as an artist.

 

Feeling these things firsthand at the scene,
and receiving direct feedback from people,
made me realize how important
this aspect is for an artist.

 

After all, no matter the form,
it is only when the element of a "platform for presentation"
is included that "expressive activity" truly takes shape—
this is something I felt strongly.

Agriculture, fishing, forestry, industry,

medicine, management, law—

these are necessary for humans,

as animals, to live and thrive

in human society.

 

On the other hand,

art (painting, music, literature, dance, sculpture,

theater, etc.) may not necessarily

be essential.

 

However, in the end,

humans are creatures

that require both elements.

 

Because through art,

people can enrich their hearts.

 

Through art,

they can empathize with others,

heal themselves,

and touch love.

 

And through art,

they discover

the meaning of living.

 

At first glance,

things that may not seem essential for survival

are deeply connected to

what it means to "live" as a human being.

 

That is why,

as an artist,

I believe that I am fulfilling

a vital role, a meaningful job,

for humanity and for the Earth.

 

And I continue to devote myself

to my work with this belief.

 

I actually had the chance to visit

the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

and thoroughly admire the masterpieces.

I was deeply, deeply moved.

 

In an instant, I was drawn in,

completely immersed in the world of the paintings.

It felt as if I had forgotten reality,

as though I were living within them,

and being in that world felt so comfortable.

 

Also,

some paintings emitted a powerful presence,

as if their intensity pushed me back slightly,

causing my body to lean backward a little.

 

Even after hundreds of years,

these masterpieces continue to move people,

even though values and perspectives have surely changed.

They are truly remarkable,

and I have deep respect for the masters

who created them.

 

The phrase

"Masterpieces are treasures of humanity"

is one I hear from time to time,

and it is truly apt—

an incredibly fitting description.

For such a long time,

these works have continued to inspire people,

and I believe they will continue to do so far into the future.

 

The phenomenon of people traveling

from all over the world, every year and every day,

just to see a single masterpiece

is both fascinating and entirely understandable.

I truly felt this as I admired many of these works myself.

 

One day, I hope to stand alongside

these legendary masterpieces in a museum,

as a neighbor to these iconic works.

I will continue to strive for this goal.

 

Thank you for such a precious experience!

 

To everyone in Amsterdam,

thank you!

 

To all the masterpieces,

thank you!