Veronika Schäpers

Aokigahara

Veronika Schäpers

Aokigahara

Date

2017

Edition Size

15

Media

Silkscreen

Binding

Coptic, Hand-sewn

Format

Artist Book

Location

Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

$ 3,200.00

Unavailable


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Aokigahara, or Jukai (Sea of trees), is a very dense forest at the base of Mount Fuji. It is known as the most popular site for suicide in Japan. The site’s popularity has been attributed to Seicho Matsumoto’s 1960 novel Kuroi Jukai (Black Sea of Trees).

The text is not printed in a classical way but a visible color change within the paper following the exposure to UV rays. The subtle color evokes the image of someone fading away in the deep forest, at the same time it stands for the decaying process of the paper.

UV-light on transparent paper, Coptic binding with acrylic thread. Cover made of laser-cut transparent paper, NT-Pairu-foil, and clear foil. Acrylic box with title and imprint in silkscreen.

aokigahara

amongst the trees hanging bodies like daylight

barely visible
on the trunks, branches, objects which some may find
disturbing

the bells always strike
five to twelve, flesh on wood, your life is a precious gift
from your parents

decaying in the play of the wind
the sounds of cell phones, flower bouquets, please
reconsider

ripcords, ropes moored to the paths, dreamcatchers retied into
nooses, mobiles twisting, the echo
of woodpeckers, dance steps

on a stage made of air, please, we still need

to see each others’ faces

(translation: Emily Banwell)