Exhibition Details

Ari Bayuaji’ solo exhibition “An Act of Meditation” at The Embassy of Canada Prince Takamado Gallery in Tokyo

Conceived for the Prince Takamado Gallery, Ari Bayuaji’s new site-specific installation from the series “Weaving The Ocean” draws inspiration from the aesthetics of kesa, composite cloths traditionally used in Buddhist devotional practices in Japan. Much like these revered fabrics, Ari recomposes and repurposes old “things” making them “anew” by imbuing them with a deeper meaning. Once drifted from the ocean – a source of constant wonder – these materials turn into symbols of social regeneration and spiritual contemplation.

Since 2020, in response to the economic collapse in Bali, Ari has rallied weavers and their families in Sanur to create an alternative source of income for the community, through an innovative art project. His concept: turning discarded plastic ropes, once entangled and choking the mangroves, into a new medium of artistic expression. Suspended in space, these colorful fragments stand as a striking testament of Ari’s commitment to “being in the world”, as he consciously seeks to make it a better place.

The on-going community-driven art project “Weaving The Ocean” addresses universal concerns for survival and regeneration, proposing socially-conscious solutions to protect our environment. Much like for kesa, the tension between the imperfections of the weaving, the social narratives behind the up-cycling and the contemplative allure of each work, poignantly reflect the complexity and the fragility of the world we inhabit.

Exhibition curated by Laura Vigo 

Date: April 17 to September 5, 2025

Venue: Embassy of Canada Prince Takamado Gallery (7-3-38 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo)