This is a piece by Konno Tomoko as part of the Art Institute of Chicago exhibit:

Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan

If you are in the Chicago area, I would highly encourage you to visit! I was so stunned and impressed by many of these pieces and this was one of my favorites. Although I wanted to show the artistry, I also wanted to convey with the shadow work another level of depth and awe for the people viewing this.


www.artic.edu/articles/1086/ceramic-innovation-japan-s-wo...

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There are people who live here
Like a vertical line
Squeezing themselves into
All of the small spaces
of the world
Concrete slabs against straight backs.
They can barely breathe but
Somehow they like it that way.
Not everyone wants to be found.

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Deceptive
You’d really think he’d be nicer
Than his fire breathing cousin
in America

He can really burn you up, though.
With his poutine breath
And he doesn’t care about your high rent
Or how hungry you are

He just wants to breathe
But every exhalation means
Danger for nearby humans
Just trying to get home.

There is one way to defeat him.
Bring him some Aero Bars and
a Double Double
Sing him your favorite song by The Sadies

And he’ll be calm and lovable
Just like everyone else on the streets
Trying to make their way
Through this weary urban abyss.

Besides, we’re all a little looney.

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And two very tired hands!

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Who knows what our shadows do
When we aren't looking
Or when they disappear
We know they mingle with others
Dance around when we aren't watching
Follow us only up to a certain point

You see, shadows have imaginations
They don't depend on us
They way we think they do.
We've been taught to believe
We have a forever friend.
Instead of something separate
With a life all its own.

When two physical entities meet
Living, moving, breathing.
Perhaps, their shadows switch
Play silly games on you
You'd never know if
Your shadow had escaped and
The one you thought you had
Belonged to someone who died a long time ago.

Maybe there's an afterlife not just for souls
But for shadows.
Not all spiders are spiders
Not all trees are trees
Not all humans have human shadows, either.
In the land of make believe.

**All silly poems and photos are copyrighted**

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