Underfoot Observation Deck

photo: Seiji Toyonaga

Underfoot Observation Deck

  • 2014
  • 70×85×58cm, 55×70×40cm, 40×50×15cm
  • Fiber reinforced plastic

These are “feet” to connect one’s feet with the ground they stand on.
There is a certain sensation of standing on the ground even though being elevated from it. When children stand on them, they see things from a grownup’s perspective, while grownups are reminded of how close the ground was when they were kids.

Standing on a beach and overlooking the shoreline brought back memories of my childhood. Even though I knew that the Earth is a ball, the sea horizon looked to me like a cliff. I felt the desire to get an early peek at ships coming up from beyond the horizon once I’ve grown up.

I determined the size based on the familiar heights of objects such as stairs, chairs and tables. Stepping on them evokes the feeling of standing on the Earth by oneself, while at once seeing familiar things in a different way even though being just one step higher than usual.It appeared to me that “other worlds” can be quite close.