Nana endo
Company Name: Nana endo
Company Overview:
Based in Tokyo,Born in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, nana endo is a contemporary artist whose work is deeply rooted in Japanese traditions and sensibilities.
Coming from a family connected to a Shinto shrine on her mother’s side, nana was immersed in traditional Japanese arts from an early age, practicing Ikebana (flower arrangement), tea ceremony, calligraphy, and Koto (Japanese harp) under her family’s influence. These formative experiences have profoundly shaped her worldview, philosophy, and artistic approach.
nana’s work embodies what she describes as a “Japanese sensibility”—a refined awareness of the intangible, the unspoken, and the unverifiable. She explores the unseen and ineffable aspects of human perception, striving to uncover their essence through her art.
Each of nana’s creations is entirely original, beginning with the development of unique materials. Her practice transcends conventional boundaries, offering viewers a deeply experiential and thought-provoking encounter with the invisible layers of existence.
Purpose of the exhibition:
This artwork is created to be experienced by anyone, regardless of age, gender, nationality, religion, language, or culture. No matter who walks the path, their footsteps will shine. Everyone has a life journey. Through this artwork, I hope to allow people to feel the brilliance of their own and others’ life paths, fostering affirmation in the world and gently dissolving divisions and boundaries. In the past, this work has been exhibited in the United States and at The National Art Center in Tokyo, where it was experienced by people from many different countries. This time, I am participating in this exhibition in Dubai—a place with a rich and diverse cultural background—to create a space for profound inner communication and connection.
Company Website:https://www.nanaendo.com
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This immersive installation transforms the act of walking into a poetic reflection of one’s life journey. It begins with a simple letter handed to visitors at the entrance:
“This path represents your life. Each step reflects the trajectory of your journey. As you walk, take time to reflect on your past, but do not turn back—continue forward.”
After reading the letter, visitors enter the installation alone, stepping into complete darkness. There, a single, mysterious path of magical gravel unfolds before them. As they walk, each step creates luminous footprints—a glowing manifestation of their life’s journey. These footprints gradually fade over several hours, emphasizing the fleeting yet profound impact of every moment.
In the dim light, the faint glow of footprints left by previous visitors illuminates the path ahead. This creates a quiet, shared connection between the presence of others and one’s own steps. The experience invites deep introspection: before stepping onto the path, visitors sense the presence of others through the light they’ve left behind; during the walk, they reflect on their own past; and after completing the journey, they carry within themselves a wordless story that blends personal memories and shared human connections.
At its core, Immersive Art “Lightborne” explores the intangible—the traces we leave behind in life and the unseen connections that bind us. By using light and material objects to reveal an invisible landscape, the work asks viewers to contemplate the beauty and impermanence of existence, the interplay between solitude and community, and the way our individual journeys light the way for others.
