Behind the Lens: Capturing Chiharu Shiota’s Powerful ICA Boston Watershed Installation
Artist Chiharu Shiota thoughtfully adjusts part of her immersive installation at ICA Boston’s Watershed exhibit. Surrounded by vibrant red cords and floating pages intricately suspended mid-air, Shiota appears focused and meditative, highlighting the delicate balance and profound symbolism characteristic of her contemporary artwork.
Working with contemporary artist Chiharu Shiota on the ICA Boston’s Watershed Exhibit was an experience defined by creativity, introspection, and gratitude. Capturing and editing this project was more than just another filmmaking task—it was a chance to step into the meditative realm Shiota creates, threading together human connection and memory with an elegance that few artists possess.
Chiharu Shiota’s installations have mesmerized audiences globally, from Paris and Spain to Australia, China, and Mexico. Her ability to transform massive spaces with delicate threads speaks to her mastery in making the intangible tangible. As curator Ruth Erickson eloquently highlighted, Shiota’s work fundamentally explores human connection—how each of us seeks meaning through the people, places, and memories we cherish most
Spending time filming inside Shiota’s exhibition at the ICA Watershed allowed me moments of deep contemplation. There’s a powerful stillness amidst the visual complexity of Shiota’s art. Over 110 miles of vibrant red cord stretched and knotted intricately within the space, symbolizing the invisible threads that bind us all together. Shiota herself describes this as “drawing in the air,” a poignant metaphor for life’s unseen yet ever-present connections.
During the filming process, Shiota graciously allowed time for additional still photography—a generous gesture and an unexpected gift. This photograph, like the installation itself, resonates with the profound humanity and vulnerability present in all of Shiota’s work.
Working closely with Ruth Erickson was equally rewarding. Her expertise and nuanced understanding of Shiota’s art illuminated deeper layers of meaning. Erickson beautifully articulated Shiota’s exploration of migration, memory, and identity, themes deeply resonant with the history of East Boston—a neighborhood historically enriched by generations of immigrants. Erickson’s insights added depth to our narrative, further enhancing the emotional resonance of the final video.
Being trusted to capture this significant exhibit was truly an honor. Shiota’s generosity, Ruth Erickson’s eloquence, and the ICA Boston’s openness all contributed to a rare collaboration—one marked by mutual respect and profound artistic synergy.
If you’re drawn to contemplative art that speaks directly to our collective humanity, visit the ICA Watershed to experience Chiharu Shiota’s powerful installation firsthand. And if you haven’t yet, explore the video I created to feel a part of this remarkable artistic journey.