Photo by Yasuro Ide, Courtesy of the artist, Courtesy of the artist
Photo by Yasuro Ide, Courtesy of the artist, Courtesy of the artist
Photo by Kayoko Yamamoto Courtesy of the artist
Photo by Kayoko Yamamoto Courtesy of the artist
Photo by Kayoko Yamamoto, Courtesy of the artist
Photo by Kayoko Yamamoto, Courtesy of the artist
Photo by Dream Aya, Courtesy of the artist
Photo by Dream Aya, Courtesy of the artist
Hello There (2020)

On August 22, 2020, we held a baby shower for Ellie on the rooftop of a building and restaurant in Kabukicho. Friends gathered, wearing face guards, and each provided gifts including performances and artworks for her child. A giant balloon with a design of an echo photo of the fetus was launched from the rooftop, and participants held strands of the red threads connecting them. By not letting go, the sense of responsibility to keep the balloon afloat in public space overlapped with the connection to the fetus. Ellie performed a sound piece by using ultrasound to play on speakers the fetal heartbeat and the sound of the umbilical cord. Along with the performance, Ayaka Wada read out a poem she wrote.