Chiharu Shiota's 'The Soul Trembles' at MAO Turin explores memory and migration through immersive installations

At MAO Museo d'Arte Orientale in Turin, Chiharu Shiota's exhibition 'The Soul Trembles' immerses visitors in installations that utilize threads, boats, dresses, and suitcases to convey themes of memory and human experience. Curated by Mami Kataoka and Davide Quadrio, this showcase highlights over two decades of the Japanese artist's work, fostering a dialogue between her creations and MAO's collection to explore East-West connections. Notable pieces include 'Where Are We Going?' (2017), featuring boats suspended in black threads, and 'Uncertain Journey' (2016/2019), where red yarn envelops skeletal vessels. Additionally, 'In Silence' (2008) presents a burnt piano with phantom seating, while 'Accumulation – Searching for the Destination' (2021) displays numerous suspended suitcases symbolizing migration. The exhibition, which runs until 28 June 2025, is enriched by MAO's 'Contemporary Expressions' section, showcasing works by Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam, Sunmin Park, Francesco Simeti, and Lin Chi-Wei, deepening the conversation on memory and displacement. Shiota's artistry resonates powerfully in today's context of migration and geopolitical challenges, transforming everyday objects into vessels of narrative.