I: The Rubbings

In 2018, Keiko Miyamori was selected as an artist-in-residence by The LES Ecology Center’s E-Waste Warehouse in Gowanus, Brooklyn. As part of the residency, artists are provided access to electronic waste materials, to showcase alternative uses for items that would otherwise be considered refuse and keeps the material from entering the waste stream. 

During her residency, Keiko did tree rubbings of trees in Gowanus which are slated for removal by the NY Parks Department. Then, the barren upper levels of the cinder block warehouse perimeter were flanked with an assembly line of her signature handmade Washi paper and charcoal tree rubbings.

II: Performance in Space

You are Unwanted, Yet, You Radiate featured a 10 years old girl, Aoi Sato, who emerges between the stacks of discarded televisions. Ambient vocal recordings featuring Ami Yamasaki reverberate throughout the cavernous warehouse. The girl wears a white dress with markings akin to Keiko’s tree rubbings. She moves through space as if alone, disregarding the 80+ visitors, following her every movement throughout the warehouse.

She is curious but assertive in her pursuit as she scans the layers and rows of e-waste with her flashlight. She locates a small white bicycle. The crowd parts making room for the performer on her newfound treasure. She guides them through the space with great care and patience as she considers hidden corners and obvious treasures.

At last she is drawn to a cabinet, in which she finds a small cassette-tape player. It is covered in white washi-paper, so she takes it out and puts it on the ground. She pushes its buttons, and it comes to life. It says to her “I wanted, I am necessary.”

Keiko asks us to look a bit more closely and consider our surroundings more carefully. You never know what you will find.