An Immersive Fortress of 30,000 Paper Kites by Jacob Hashimoto

Skyfarm Fortress by Jacob Hashimoto at Mary Boone

JACOB HASHIMOTO. Skyfarm Fortress (installation view). COURTESY: MARY BOONE GALLERY, NEW YORK | click images to enlarge

Sometime during the 12th century in Japan, a famous samurai (Minamoto no Tametomo), who disobeyed the emperor, was punished by being exiled to a small island with his son. In an attempt to save at least his son the warrior constructed a large kite from bamboo. He then tied his son to the kite and lifted him back to the mainland. The story lives on in Japan, as does the tradition of kites, and is perhaps one of the reasons why “congratulation kites” are given to first born sons. Perhaps it’s also the reason why, when artist Jacob Hashimoto asked his father for career advice, he answered, “Man, you need a hobby. Why don’t you build kites?”

JACOB HASHIMOTO “A Century or Two of Sleep” 60” by 96” by 8” acrylic, paper/Dacron, wood (2014). COURTESY: MARY BOONE GALLERY, NEW YORK.

Drawing on his Japanese heritage, the New York-based artist now makes a name for himself by constructing immersive installations crafted from thousands of bamboo and washi paper kites. His latest work, Skyfarm Fortress, just recently opened at Mary Boone Gallery in New York and is a large-scale, site-specific installation of 30,000 paper kites.

The wall to wall, floor to ceiling environment is comprised of a complex system of suspended kites. The installation is on display through October 25, 2014. Prepare to be blown away.