Collective Care: 'Grass Babies, Moon Babies' at Japan Pavilion
Embrace the Journey of Shared Nurturing at the Japan Pavilion
Experiencing "Grass Babies, Moon Babies": An Act of Collective Nurturing
At the 2026 Venice Art Biennale, the Japan Pavilion unveils Ei Arakawa-Nash's compelling installation, "Grass Babies, Moon Babies," transforming the space into an arena of tactile and emotional engagement. Here, guests are presented with one of 208 infant dolls and encouraged to carry them throughout the pavilion's diverse environments, including the open piloti, serene garden, and interior galleries. This act, seemingly straightforward, invites participants to temporarily embrace the role of a caregiver, initiating an immediate and profound connection with the artwork.
The Evolving Significance of Each Doll and Every Gesture
Initially, the act of selecting a doll and holding it close might appear uncomplicated. However, as visitors navigate the exhibition, the experience quickly deepens with emotional and symbolic weight. These infant figures are far from mere static exhibits; they are dynamic elements, circulating through the space cradled in arms, resting on shoulders, and evoking moments of tenderness, contemplation, and occasionally, slight awkwardness. Throughout the day, the pavilion hums with these myriad small acts of focused attention, as attendees become increasingly aware of each other's presence and the collective responsibility they share.
Integrating Art and Environment: "Grass Babies, Moon Babies" Beyond the Walls
Set within the striking modernist architecture of the Japan Pavilion in the Giardini, the exhibition's scope extends beyond conventional gallery confines, spilling into the surrounding natural landscape. The open-air piloti and meandering pathways become integral to the artwork's flow, enabling individuals carrying the dolls to move fluidly in and out of sight. Arakawa-Nash, a Japanese American artist, strategically employs this dynamic circulation to gently reduce the hurried pace often associated with art observation, fostering a more mindful and introspective engagement.
Diaper Poems and Shared Rituals: Unveiling Layers of Connection
A pivotal moment in the exhibition unfolds at a communal station, where visitors are invited to change the dolls' diapers. Each doll features a QR code that, when scanned, reveals a concise "diaper poem" linked to an assigned birthday. These poetic fragments subtly interweave intimate care rituals with broader historical narratives. The specific birthdays serve as markers, connecting individual experiences with larger societal and political currents, positioning the dolls as enigmatic figures existing between fictional characters, future generations, and silent witnesses to history. This aspect of the work profoundly suggests that acts of care are inextricably linked to their surrounding conditions, whether they be personal, institutional, environmental, or national.
Arakawa-Nash's Artistic Evolution: From Collective Performance to Queer Kinship
For Ei Arakawa-Nash, whose artistic journey has consistently explored collective performance and the fluidity of authorship, "Grass Babies, Moon Babies" signifies a significant evolution. This exhibition delves into themes arising from parenthood and queer kinship. Drawing inspiration from historical movements such as Gutai, Fluxus, Happenings, and Judson Dance Theater, Arakawa-Nash's earlier collaborative performances challenged fixed identities and individual control. In this latest work, these influences are reinterpreted through the persistent, tender actions of caregiving: holding, cleaning, comforting, and patiently waiting.
An Atmosphere of Intimacy: Laughter, Tenderness, and Unscripted Interactions
"Grass Babies, Moon Babies" creates a rich tapestry of experiences through its careful accumulation of elements and evocative atmosphere. Within the pavilion, laughter, uncertainty, tenderness, and occasional discomfort blend seamlessly. Some visitors instinctively embrace the dolls with ease, while others grapple with an initial unsureness in how to hold them. Children interact with the installation differently than adults, and groups often gather to compare the dolls' birthdays and poems. These spontaneous and unchoreographed interactions become an essential, living part of the exhibition itself, highlighting the organic unfolding of collective intimacy.
Interdependence and Gradual Revelation: The Core of the Exhibition
Co-curated by Horikawa Lisa and Takahashi Mizuki, the pavilion conceptualizes care as a fundamental framework of interdependence. Amidst the grandeur of this year's Biennale, the exhibition introduces a more understated, intimate spatial language, deeply rooted in the practices of maintenance, repetition, and physical closeness. The emotional resonance of the project is not immediate but emerges gradually, fostered by sustained participation and the passage of time within the space.
A Journey Beyond Venice: Extending the Dialogue of Care
Throughout the Biennale's duration, the exhibition will feature ongoing audience activations and a series of live performances by Arakawa-Nash and collaborating artists, further enriching the participatory experience. Following its run in Venice, "Grass Babies, Moon Babies" is set to travel, first to Hannover's Kestner Gesellschaft, and will conclude its journey with a presentation at Tokyo's Artizon Museum in 2027, continuing its global dialogue on the profound nature of care.