Scai the bathhouse

B04 / Tokyo / Japan

+81-(0)3-3821-1144
info@scaithebathhouse.com
https://www.scaithebathhouse.com/en/

With the gleam of light emitting diodes (LEDs), which continuously count between 1 and 9, Tatsuo Miyajima portrays the eternal luminance of human life using numbers as a universal language. In his work, a flow of number sequences represents the flow of life from birth to death, as well as our integral connectivity to others, outlining three key principles: ‘Keep Changing,’ ‘Connect with All,’ and ‘Goes on Forever.’

The numbers formed by neon light tubes each mark their own time. In a continuous cycle, they count down from 9 to 1—never displaying 0—symbolizing “life” and “death.” Two sets of neon numbers are presented in the work, creating a subtle harmony between them.

The phrase *me on* originates from the Greek term for “non-being.” Here, it signifies “death.” While death is often equated with non-existence, is that truly the case? In Buddhist philosophy, death is not an end, but a pause in the flow of energy—a moment of rest in preparation for the next life. The neon numbers themselves do not change in essence; only the presence or absence of energy alters their visible form. This transformation is always registered by the viewer. In this way, existence and non-existence—life and death—are defined through perception. The act of seeing becomes essential to the creation of the work.