04:36

2007

Yamakasi is the art of movement: the “conquering” (climbing) of urban projects. The video “Yamakasi” shows the struggle of the individual. The protagonist seems to be a mountaineer or yamakasi trying to climb a cliff. As the perspective broadens, however, we gradually realize that only the image slewed round by 90 degrees has deceived our perception of space. He is crawling at the very bottom of urban space: on the street. He drags himself along by grabbing onto the protrusions of the city, ignored by passers-by. The strenuous and slow advancement signifies achievement that is immeasurable on the social scale. From the perspective of the individual, however, it means something entirely different: the formulation of a conscious relationship with the environment and the self as a result of inner motivation. It is the art of concentration and effort, the psychic art of movement.