Yamazaki Ryoichi: I just can’t sit here.

Culture-bound syndrome refers to mental illnesses that are more likely to occur in a particular region, ethnic group, or cultural environment, with social phobias or anorexia nervosa as examples. The full-body, hooded garments worn by the characters represent a kind of mental shielding, a way of avoiding social contact with others. Furthermore, by not standing overtly in the center but instead hiding in the corners or behind objects, they exude a sense of being introverted or shy. However, the act of passively and secretly observing behavior of others can actually be a seen as a manifestation of an attempt to communicate. In a very real sense, this is akin to browsing websites and message boards on the internet.

Sitting in my own room, I secretly observe the events of strangers unfolding from a distance. I pretend to be indifferent, yet I do feel a sense of curiosity about others.

With these works, I seek to express this subtle sense of distance in human communication that we see in society today.

Yamazaki Ryoichi