●Continuing from the Group Exhibition “Umwelt” Text by Yoichi Tamori (Minnano Gallery) The group exhibition “Umwelt” was held in March 2025. It featured one work or one group of works by each of four artists, all working with different materials, techniques, and styles. The exhibition brought together four distinct artistic worlds within a single space. Although the tension created by the juxtaposition of independent realms was palpable, there were also moments when the works seemed to converse or resonate with one another. Visitors, too, became participants in the experience—engaging with the four worlds from their own unique fifth perspective. When the viewer became aware of the similarities or differences between themselves and the works—emotionally or intellectually—each viewing session would transform the exhibition into a different landscape. The space would shift each time such a session occurred. If that is the very nature of “Umwelt,” then we can say that countless takes were already layered upon each other during the first iteration, each one creating a new spatial experience. For this reason, rather than calling this second installment “Umwelt 2,” I would prefer to simply continue with the same title: “Umwelt.” This may seem like a digression, but as I was envisioning the continuation of “Umwelt,” the following thoughts came to mind. When I was a student, there was a record shop right across from my part-time job, and I would often stop by after work. I liked rock music at the time, but I’d also wander over to the jazz section. I was curious about world music too, and I found myself drawn to hip-hop and electronic sounds. Looking back, I think I wasn’t so much interested in diving deep into one genre as I was in the thrill of encountering something new. That’s why I explored so many different kinds of music. Every unfamiliar genre, every sound from a time before I was born, felt like stepping into a different world. Through this wandering and eclectic approach, I built a musical framework of my own—though admittedly a rather patchy one. Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if music streaming services like Spotify had existed back then. Unlimited listening for a flat fee—my younger self would have thought it a dream come true. All those albums I couldn’t afford at the time, all the music from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s… If I’d had access to all of it, maybe I could have made my disjointed framework deeper, broader, and more seamless. Now, in a sense, we live inside that dream. A megastore fits in the palm of your hand. It’s an amazing time. But what became of my musical framework? Did it really become deeper or broader? Although I do enjoy the convenience of instant access to any track, I have a feeling that my personal framework hasn’t changed all that much. These days, I rarely step into a physical music store. No matter how vast the dream world becomes, my primary point of reference is still the system I’ve built within myself. Even if it’s a bit messy, it’s become a vital compass. It’s not something that’s made in an instant, nor is it easily erased. If anything, it simply continues to evolve. When a new piece is added to this evolving framework, it’s often brought by someone else who has their own entirely different system. This isn’t limited to music—it’s the same when you look at someone’s bookshelf. You always discover a difference in content. Even in an age when everyone has a megastore in their phone, there aren’t that many things that only one person can access. And yet, no two people have walked the exact same path. How different are our worlds, and where do they intersect? From here, my thoughts return once more to the exhibition space of “Umwelt.” The visual world, too, is vast and boundless. Like music, we now have access to countless images through the internet on our phones. But simply having access doesn’t mean we can follow the path that lies beyond. To encounter the world more widely and deeply, we must use the present as our foothold, trust our own sensibilities, and move forward into what lies ahead. And so, once again, new facets of the world will be brought forth by the artists—and each one of us, through our encounters, will add yet another continuation to that evolving story.