Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota's exhibition opens in Beijing

Renowned Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota’s solo exhibition, "The Soul Trembles," opened in Beijing on Saturday, bringing her poetic artistry to the Chinese capital for the first time.

Hosted at the Red Brick Art Museum, the exhibition is characterized by Shiota’s use of threads to create surreal, immersive spaces that evoke and express deep human emotion. These striking installations are signature elements of her latest solo show.

Together, the works on display form a profound exploration of "existence." Tracing her artistic evolution from her early years, the exhibition highlights Shiota’s shift from canvas painting and performance art to large-scale installation art.

Born in Osaka in 1972, the Japanese artist reflects on her childhood dreams. Her inspiration often stems from personal experiences and emotions, which then evolve into universal themes of life, death, and relationships.

"My life is like art. I had cancer two times, and this kind of illness is also connected with my art. When I had my daughter, all parts of my life are connected with my art," said Shiota.

By collecting ordinary objects such as shoes, keys, chairs, and dresses, and weaving them into thread structure, she has redefined the concept of memory and consciousness.

"The thing is like [a] human relationship. The relationship is sometimes all tangled, losing… it’s a readout of my feeling," said the artist.

In addition, the exhibition’s distinct Eastern aesthetic incorporates traditional Chinese elements, aiming to create a deeper resonance with local audiences.

"In fact, this time, we have incorporated many Chinese elements into the exhibition, such as Chinese culture, connotations, philosophy, and religion. It is an international endeavor," said Yan Shijie, curator of the Red Brick Art Museum.

The solo show also captivates many young visitors, inviting them to explore the meaning of existence through an artistic tunnel of time.

"I'm very happy because so many younger people came to my show. They want to take selfies and photos, then they stay in the exhibition place for a very long time. They learn about my work and they want to learn more about my work. This makes very happy," said Shiota.

Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota's exhibition opens in Beijing

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Iran has obtained extensive documents and evidence linking the recent unrest across the country to the U.S. and Israel, noting that Mossad agents attempted to direct such "terrorist acts."

Araghchi said at a press conference in Tehran that since Dec 28, 2025, Iran had seen peaceful demonstrations organized by industry associations and economic professional. In the following days, more participants joined, and the situation gradually escalated from peaceful rallies into violent clashes.

Beginning on Jan 8, terrorists and armed groups carrying weapons entered protest sites and opened fire on police and civilians, with the aim of steering demonstrations toward violence, bloodshed and chaos, he said.

"Israeli media reports are rife with claims that Israel has designed and conducted operations in Iran. Mr. [Mike] Pompeo, who was Trump's CIA director, said on his X that 'Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.' This clearly shows that Mossad agents attempted to direct such terrorist acts," the minister said. Addressing military threats from the U.S. and Israel, Araghchi said Iran does not seek war but is fully prepared to face up to war. He added that Iran is ready for serious and pragmatic negotiations with the U.S., but the talks must be based on fairness, equality and mutual respect, rather than unilateral pressure or directives from Washington.

On the same day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the U.S. and Israel at a regular press briefing in Tehran. He said the two countries have made "extensive interventionist remarks" regarding Iran's situation, saying such statements are intended to foment chaos, violence and instability.

The spokesman said Iran is closely monitoring the development of the situation and remains fully prepared, warning that Iran's armed forces will respond to any act of aggression by its enemies.

Mossad agents attempt to direct terrorist acts: Iranian FM