Ryo Shimizu’s “Cnjpus Text” is not just an art installation; it’s a commentary on the intersection of Eastern and Western culture in the modern world. The artist’s approach of reconstructing kanji characters using the Roman alphabet is a symbolic act, illustrating the blending of traditions and the inevitable clash that arises as cultures merge. By doing this, Shimizu prompts viewers to reflect on the ongoing process of globalization and the way language—once bound by geography—now transcends borders. His work is a contemporary exploration of how symbols from one culture can be transformed and recontextualized for a new audience.

“Cnjpus Text” is the third in a series of text-based installations that Shimizu has been making since 2009. The words on the wall actually make sense in the English language, written in the traditional Roman alphabet, but using Chinese strokes calligraphy.

To add up to it, the kanji characters not restructured were left on the floor, as if they had fallen, illustrating an undeniably present cultural clash.

Moreover, the fallen kanji on the floor suggest a poignant metaphor for the displacement of traditional cultural elements in favor of modern innovation. This visual element reinforces the artist’s message about the cultural clash between the old and the new, and between East and West. Shimizu’s installations continue to push the boundaries of cross-cultural artistic expression, making “Cnjpus Text” not only a profound artistic statement but also a fascinating study in cultural evolution.

Photos from thisiscolossal.