Independent
2024/5/10(Fri)〜6/2(Sun)
Ariane Mercier-Beau / Elena Aframova「Wake up to a new space」
Our lives encompass diverse spaces, from physical to emotional, with a substantial portion spent within four walls, including about 30 percent asleep. Lena, born in Ukraine, lived in Israel and residing in Japan for over 20 years, channels her artistic expression through photography and writing, blurring the lines between her inner and outer worlds. During the pandemic, she confronted creative stagnation, finding rejuvenation through short escapes to Tokyo’s designer hotels, documented as a series of self-portraits.
In contrast, Ariane, a German-born Spanish-speaking Iranian-French artist, explores the honesty of the liminal state between sleep and wakefulness in her textile diary entries. She questions the universality of English as a communication tool and the challenges of expressing one’s true self in a complex world.
Reflecting on multicultural experiences, both Lena and Ariane navigate the complexities of diaspora, cultural disconnection, and the yearning for belonging. As they share their intimate narratives, they invite viewers to engage with their works, fostering a deeper connection and understanding.
Date｜May 10 (Fri.) – June 2 (Sun.), 2024
Opening days｜Friday, Saturday,Sunday
Opening hours｜14:00-18:00
Admission free
Address｜The Room（2-8-8 Koganecho, Naka Ward, Yokohama Kanagawa 231-0054）
Elena Aframova
Born and raised in Ukraine, Elena Aframova is an Israeli artist and curator, long term residing in Japan. She holds an MA in Educational Counseling from Haifa University (2000) and completed a filmmaking program at TOEI Kyoto Studio via the NY Film Academy (2010).
Aframova’s photography has been featured in the NY Times, BBC News, and Newsweek. Notable projects include her photography series for World Assistance for Cambodia (WAfC)/ Japan Relief for Cambodia (JRfC), which supported building schools in rural Cambodia.
Passionate about identity and memory, Aframova initiated the Omoya Project during her residency in Kameoka (2019-2020) and contributed to NHK World’s coverage of her art-activist project, “..do not be afraid,” in April 2021.
She’s actively involved in art education, delivering talks and workshops, notably through FRAMEWAY, where she co-founded and led programs for international photographers in Japan.
As a curator, Aframova organized exhibitions like “Home.Smoke.Home” at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies in 2022, exploring the concept of home amidst Russian invasion of Ukraine. Recently, she curated works by Ukrainian artist Nadia Olefir “Garden of people” at her studio, THE ROOM, and an ongoing duo exhibition “Wake up to a new space” with Iranian/French/German artist Ariane Mercier-Beau. Her curatorial focus centers on facilitating dialogues around the construct of cultural identity, community interactions, and the human experience, creating spaces where diverse perspectives converge and intersect.
Ariane Mercier-Beau
Born in Germany in 1995, Ariane Mercier-Beau is a French artist who obtained her degree from the School of Art and Design in Grenoble in 2021. Her artistic focus is primarily on textile, which she employs as her main medium. As a digital native , she delves into the intricate nuances of femininity in relation to mental health and self-image. Her creative expression centers around the symbolism of intimacy, which is a recurring theme in all her visual artwork. Currently, she is pursuing a one-year artist Residency at AIR Koganecho located in Yokohama, Japan
