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

The death toll from a crane collapse that derailed a passenger train in northeastern Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima Province has risen to 32, with the number of injured now standing at 67, authorities said on Wednesday.

The accident occurred on Wednesday morning when the construction crane used for a high-speed rail bridge collapsed onto the train traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani Province.

Speaking at a press briefing, Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Chaiwat Chuenkosum said the State Railway of Thailand expects to take approximately seven days to clear the wreckage and restore the track to normal operation while a full investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn earlier told reporters that he has instructed agencies to conduct a transparent, comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and prevent recurrence.

According to Thai media reports, the main contractor for the involved railway section is Italian-Thai Development PLC, which has issued a statement on the accident, saying that the company will fully assume responsibilities related to compensation and medical treatment.

Songrit Yoonsoongnern, a rescuer, said that rescue teams are waiting for some parts of the wrecked train to be moved before continuing operations.

"Right now, we are waiting for the cranes to secure the carriage and the crane above, and to remove some debris that is on the bodies. For safety reasons, we must wait until Italian-Thai Development’s cranes complete the operation and safety is 100-percent assured, before ordering rescue personnel to enter and recover the bodies," he said.

32 killed after crane collapse derails train in Thailand