Kunsthalle Praha presents The Unsettled Soul, the first solo exhibition in the Czech Republic by internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota. Running from November 28th, 2024, to April 28th, 2025, the exhibition immerses visitors in an exploration of profound human themes such as life, death, and memory through Shiota’s captivating installations. Known for her large-scale thread-based artworks, Shiota transforms the gallery spaces into meditative environments that reflect the delicate bonds between people, places, and time.
A highlight of the exhibition is Crossing Paths with Fate, inspired by the Vltava River, which Shiota views as a symbol of interconnected histories and shared human stories. This installation weaves red threads into dynamic structures, echoing the river’s flow and the passage of time. Another standout work, The Heart in Your Home, features metal house-like frames interlaced with red threads, symbolizing the emotional and cultural ties that create a sense of belonging and family.
In Multiple Realities, seven suspended dresses rotate gently under dim light, creating an ethereal presence. These garments evoke traces of human existence, exploring the boundary between self and environment, a recurring theme in Shiota’s work. Additionally, Silent Concert, centered around a burnt piano, reflects on loss and the lingering resonance of absence, inspired by a haunting childhood memory.
The exhibition also includes a retrospective element, showcasing archival materials, films, and early works that trace Shiota’s artistic evolution. An illustrated catalogue, featuring curatorial essays and a conversation with the artist, will be released in February 2025, providing deeper insights into her practice.
Don’t miss our interview with Shiota Chiharu in third issue.
Photography courtesy of KUNSTHALLE PRAHA
