Keita Kojima (JP, 1985)
Residency period : October 2024
My work “Hyperlink Horizon” connects Japanese and Swiss landscapes through language. Developed during my residency at La Becque, the project reinterprets hyperlinks—commonly used in digital contexts—as a metaphor for linking memory, perception, and places. Calligraphic objects textured with photographs of Tokyo were layered onto Swiss scenery, creating visual experiences where distinct elements intersect.
I also participated in “Super Natural!”, a group exhibition organized by Photo Elysée to mark 160 years of Swiss-Japanese relations. Its statement highlighted six shared values: “immaculate,” “precise,” “prosperous,” “attractive,” “safe,” and “reliable.” These words became calligraphic objects mediating the perception of urban spaces. Using AR, I superimposed them onto landscapes, exploring how multiple realities coexist.
This project reflects my interest in treating language as an independent entity that influences thought and consciousness. Words act as “triggers” for memory and recognition, reshaping how we perceive familiar spaces. The residency deepened my exploration of how language and vision interact, offering insights into how memory and environment intertwine. I am grateful for this opportunity to refine these ideas at La Becque. — Keita Kojima
Invited at La Becque as part of a partnership with Nestlé and Photo Elysée, Keita Kojima has been chosen to present works as part of the Super Natural exhibition project, which explores the mutual fascination between Switzerland and Japan through the eyes of photographers from both countries. The exhibition was conceived to mark the 160th anniversary of Swiss-Japanese bilateral relations in 2024 by Photo Elysée and the Swiss Embassy in Japan, in cooperation with Tokyo Photographic Research.
For this residency, Photo Elysée has been provided with space by La Becque, thanks to the support of Nestlé.
Keita Kojima, La Becque, 2024, photo Aurélien Haslebacher
Keita Kojima, "Hyperlink Horizon", 2024, courtesy of the artist