Meiro Koizumi

'Rite for a Dream (Today My Empire Sings)' was made in connection with the annual commemoration of the World War II surrender of the Japanese on August 15. Koizumi provides a logical sequel to the subject of his painting series 'Air'. The footage was shot during the controversial demonstration by opponents of the emperor, in the streets of Tokyo; and as is the custom, tensions rose to a pitch between supporters and adversaries. Into this chaotic situation the artist brought a number of musicians and an actor. The musicians play Nearer, My God, To Thee – a Christian hymn that is associated, in Japan, with the emperor– as well as the final piece of music played by the orchestra as the Titanic was sinking. The handcuffed actor being carried off by police during the demonstration refers to a recurrent nightmare that Koizumi had when he was young: in it his father was taken away by the government and fed to the chickens. Here too, as in earlier work, the artist juxtaposes the extreme emotions of the collective with those of the individual, steering the work toward a cathartic climax. The story of Koizumi’s dream is recited by a performer, who recounts the intoxication of violence and heroism underlying nationalism, making it unclear if what we are seeing is a dream or reality. In recent years, Koizumi has been creating number of works themed on nationalism, ritualistic culture and past events in Japanese society. Meiro Koizumi often investigates the boundaries between the private and the public, a domain of specific importance to his native culture. In 'Rite for a Dream (Today My Empire Sings)', these themes are intertwined with Koizumi's personal history.