During the July 2025 residency program, with the support of the Latvian Ministry of Culture, Terēze Matisone (Latvia) and Mart Melchior Sard (Estonia) created the short film „Sekimori Ishi”, which documents the creative work of artist Hiroto Nagashima (Japan) at the Pedvāle residency.
Sekimoriishi is an ancient Japanese non-verbal communication method that uses stones and ropes to subtly indicate that entry is politely declined. It’s more than just a physical marker; it’s a cultural indicator that, from the point where the stone is placed, makes one aware of an invisible psychological or even spiritual boundary. For his work at the Pedvale Art Park, he focused deeply on the natural phenomenon of glacial erratics.
Interestingly, many similarities can be found between Latviskā dievestība and ancient Japanese Shinto and Shinto practices. Rather than focusing on religion, Hiroto Nagashima is drawn to the ancient people’s attitudes towards nature. In particular, the way people view nature—revering the superhuman power of nature as sacred and being aware of an invisible boundary between the secular and sacred worlds—is remarkably similar. He visited rocks and ruins named after the devil scattered throughout Latvia, such as devil’s footprints and rocks believed to be entrances to the devil’s world, focusing on Latvian nature and the Latvian spirituality that confronts it.
Artist Hiroto Nagashima delves into the nuances of insularity & uniqueness, interpreting the diverse cultures of places he has encountered and weaving them with the Japanese concept of “Sekimoriishi” to create compelling artworks. He is deeply fascinated by the long-standing attitudes and perspectives local communities hold toward nature, as expressed through their indigenous beliefs and customs. He dedicates himself to deciphering these contexts and spinning new narratives from them. He highlights that the Japanese word and acting “Musubu” extends beyond its literal meaning of “to tie,” encompassing spiritual connotations of connection and creation—a reflection of the ancient Japanese belief in the special power of tying. By utilizing fundamental elements for humans, animals, and plants like stone and wood, he explores the boundaries between nature and human activity, unearthing the hidden contexts and inherent value of the land.