Saeborg: Fetish as Gender Critique in Inflatable Farm Performances
Born in Toyama in 1981, Japanese artist Saeborg critiques societal norms surrounding gender and species through her unique inflatable latex costumes and performances themed around farming. Notable works like 'Slaughterhouse' showcase a life-sized inflatable sow that delivers techno music. Emerging from Tokyo's fetish culture, particularly at Department-H, she completed her education at Joshibi University of Art and Design in 2006. Saeborg, her alter ego, embodies her view of herself as a partial cyborg, drawing inspiration from Donna Haraway's 'Cyborg Manifesto' (1985). She was awarded the Toshiko Okamoto Award in 2014 and had her video pieces featured in Mark Leckey's solo exhibition at MoMA PS1 in 2016 and 2017. In 2022, she earned the Tokyo Contemporary Art Award, paving the way for a solo exhibition in 2024.
Key facts
- Saeborg is a Japanese artist born in Toyama in 1981.
- Her work 'Slaughterhouse' features an inflatable sow giving birth to techno music.
- She emerged from Tokyo's fetish party scene, specifically Department-H.
- She graduated from Joshibi University of Art and Design in 2006.
- Her name combines 'cyborg' with a sound evoking imperfection.
- She won the Toshiko Okamoto Award in 2014.
- Her videos were shown at MoMA PS1 in 2016-2017.
- She won the Tokyo Contemporary Art Award in 2022.
- Her solo show at Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo is scheduled for 2024.
- Her work critiques gender roles and animal farming.
Entities
Artists
- Saeborg
- Mark Leckey
- Donna Haraway
Institutions
- Department-H
- Joshibi University of Art and Design
- MoMA PS1
- Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
- Taro Okamoto Award
- Tokyo Contemporary Art Award
Locations
- Toyama
- Tokyo
- New York
- Japan
- United States