too fragile to hold | FLAGSHIP EXHIBITION

Yoshi Sodeoka

r = θ

At the core of r = θ, mathematics emerges as a unifying language, harmonizing diverse perspectives. This video art piece explores the human tendency to perceive meaningful patterns in nature. My work not only reveals these underlying geometric patterns but also invites viewers to reconsider their own perspectives.

Through this piece, I delve into the human inclination to seek shapes and significance in the world, especially within the context of natural phenomena, prompting a deeper exploration of our cognitive processes and their nature. “r = θ” guides the audience through simulations of the golden ratio, the choreography of weather patterns, the behaviors of insects like moths and butterflies, and the mesmerizing murmurations of starlings.

Celebrating the promise of art and technology, this work embraces both the digital and the physical realms. It examines settled assumptions and encourages reflection on the influences that shape our approach to reality. As you engage with this video, let the questions it raises linger in your thoughts: How has this artwork transformed your perception of the world? What significance do replicas and authenticity hold for our understanding of life? What further mysteries await discovery at the frontier of realities?

About the Artist

Yoshi Sodeoka is a renowned artist, recognized for his innovative exploration of various media and platforms, including video, gifs, and print. With a deep-rooted passion for music, his neo-psychedelic style is a direct reflection of his love and background in the field. Drawing inspiration from genres such as noise, punk, and metal, Sodeoka has developed a unique artistic vision that encompasses complex and mind-altering visuals.

His artistic practice involves a captivating blend of digital video feedback, footage sampling, online imagery, and collaborative audio soundscapes, resulting in immersive sensory experiences. Sodeoka’s creative journey has traversed multiple artistic domains, including fine art, music collaborations with notable acts such as Metallica, Psychic TV, Tame Impala, Oneohtrix Point Never, Beck, The Presets, and Max Cooper, editorial illustration for renowned publications like The New York Times, Wired, The Atlantic, and M.I.T. Technology Review, as well as partnerships with fashion brands such as Adidas and Nike, and advertising projects for industry giants like Apple and Samsung.

Sodeoka’s works have achieved global recognition and have been exhibited in prestigious venues worldwide, including the Centre Pompidou, Tate Britain, the Museum of Modern Art, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Deitch Projects, La Gaîté Lyrique, the Museum of the Moving Image, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and Laforet Museum Harajuku. His artistic contributions have earned him a place in the permanent collections of esteemed institutions such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of the Moving Image, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Originally hailing from Yokohama, Japan, Yoshi Sodeoka relocated to New York in the 1990’s to pursue his passion for art, enrolling at Pratt Institute. Since then, he has called New York home, establishing a strong presence in the city’s vibrant art scene.