Akane Takayama

Take the Pebble: Kiki Unattainable

In this piece there appears to be an immediate contradiction. Apparently there is a ladder so how is it that Kiki is unobtainable? Further inspection though reveals that the ladder does not actually reach Kiki, try as we might, we cannot get to her. Perhaps this elusive quality is about the sexual politics of power, perhaps it refers to the idea of a nude being an ideal or perhaps it is all just about that woman who fought to attain her own independent identity. Takayama creates this simple dialogue in three elements and places it before us as a question.

The Take the Pebble series of sculptures offer a short insight into our world before the wave sweeps us up. Reflecting on the Buddhist saying, "When walking along the beach and seeing a pebble, take it before the next wave washes it away." This metaphorical observation on life and opportunity provides the platform from which Takayama presents us with very precise statements on life.