Atsuko Yamazaki (Kikai Institute for Coral Reef Sciences)

For five years, I have been exploring the integration of science and art as a research theme.

Time spent considering what we call 'art' also gave me time to consider what 'science' is. At times, I wondered whether scientists and artists see the same beauty in the world. When I encountered art's pursuit of beauty, there were moments when it connected with the almost terrifying beauty of nature. As I began to glimpse the boundary between science and art, I felt that I might be able to leap across it.

These are the thoughts that led me to conceive this work.

• I am not an artist.
• I do not have the skills to make art, but I can build experimental apparatus.
• I see nature, including coral reefs, in terms of the cycles of chemical elements.
• There are cycles in nature that I find beautiful.
• Through a work of art (an experimental apparatus), I can share what I find beautiful with viewers.
• A work can reflect my wish for how I would like the world to be.

I will not write a scientific paper about the concept expressed in this work itself. It is subjective; scientifically, it concerns phenomena that are already known and does not advance science. In other words, I realized that a work of art is the only form in which I can leave a record of how I, as an individual living today, see the world.

Yet if the system I create happens to yield a new scientific discovery, it might become a point where science and art join. Perhaps new knowledge will emerge from this shared space. I am excitedly preparing for the exhibition, hoping that such a moment might come as an unexpected bonus.

Atsuko Yamazaki