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 Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
