I am Ai, We are Ai in Tokushima, Japan is a public art project designed and directed by Rowland Ricketts that celebrates the history and future of indigo in Tokushima by creating both visual and physical connections between the indigo growers, processors, dyers, and end users who together comprise this ongoing tradition.
Professional dyers throughout Japan who use the indigo grown and processed in Tokushima were invited to dye lengths of cloth to what they consider to be the most meaningful shade of blue. Over 200 of these blues, born of the Tokushima soil and dyed throughout Japan, have been gathered for a homecoming in Tokushima where they are visiting sites of historical significance to indigo production before being incorporated into a large-scale installation. The installation is at a warehouse along the banks of the Shinmachi River, on which all of the Awa Indigo exported from Tokushima historically travelled on its way to dyers throughout the country. The I am Ai, We are Ai installation highlights these blues to present the straightforward beauty of Awa indigo, something that truly speaks for itself. Dried indigo plants piled on the floor will give presence to the material roots of these blue cloths in the fields of Tokushima. An evolving sound work by Norbert Herber will give voice to Awa indigo’s immaterial substance – the process and history that give it meaning, and the eternally evolving nature of this tradition.
Professional dyers throughout Japan who use the indigo grown and processed in Tokushima were invited to dye lengths of cloth to what they consider to be the most meaningful shade of blue. Over 200 of these blues, born of the Tokushima soil and dyed throughout Japan, have been gathered for a homecoming in Tokushima where they are visiting sites of historical significance to indigo production before being incorporated into a large-scale installation. The installation is at a warehouse along the banks of the Shinmachi River, on which all of the Awa Indigo exported from Tokushima historically travelled on its way to dyers throughout the country. The I am Ai, We are Ai installation highlights these blues to present the straightforward beauty of Awa indigo, something that truly speaks for itself. Dried indigo plants piled on the floor will give presence to the material roots of these blue cloths in the fields of Tokushima. An evolving sound work by Norbert Herber will give voice to Awa indigo’s immaterial substance – the process and history that give it meaning, and the eternally evolving nature of this tradition.