Mari Ito
1980, Tokyo, Japan.
In her work, Mari Ito explores the theme of ‘desire’. She has, in fact, always been drawn to the Freudian theory of the human psyche and the three entities cohabiting our psyche: TheId, the Ego and the Superego. Of these three, the artist reflects on the first —the Id, the most pure and primitive – as the source of our desires and their consequences.Contrary to Western culture, Japanese society frowns upon the outward expression of certain opinions and emotions, particularly in public spaces. This in turn heightens interest in her work, as Ito’s pieces transmit and communicate some of these thoughts and feelings, therefore alleviating the need for them to be said out loud. After all, words can be truly complex in Japanese society.