Exploring the Future of Fashion Through the Iconic "Flora" Print

Sputniko! is known for her works that include a robot that communicates with crows, a machine simulating the female menstrual cycle, and a lunar rover with high heels. Her video, music, photography, and performance pieces reflect on the evolving human condition and society through technology, garnering significant attention. Recently, she has been proposing visions of future flowers and fashion transformed by advancements in biotechnology. In 2008, she launched the "Tranceflora" project in collaboration with the National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS), which developed "luminous silk" using genes from jellyfish and coral.

This exhibition focuses on Gucci's exquisite "Flora" print, featuring flowers and insects, which was created in 1966. Based on a fictional narrative where the protagonist, Amy, creates the ultimate dress to meet her beloved, the exhibition showcases installations of fashion, short films, and photographs utilizing "rose-scented silk," "silk that might make you fall in love," and "luminous silk" – all concepts currently under joint development by Sputniko! and NIAS.

By darkening the entire venue and illuminating it with black lights, the exhibition depicts the potential of future "Flora" through sight, sound, and smell. The main visuals and short film were created by art director Kazunori Izumiya, with contributions from designer Shinya Kousino and Masataka Hosoo of Nishijin-ori.

This installation prompts questions from Sputniko!: "How do we embrace transforming nature and its new beauty?" and "How will these changes affect our sensibilities, fashion, art, and culture?" It offers a valuable opportunity to contemplate the future of art and fashion.

Sputniko! "Tranceflora - Amy's Luminous Silk" Exhibition
Dates: Until May 17 (Sun) *Open daily
Hours: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Venue: Gucci Shinjuku 3rd Floor Event Space
Shinjuku Takano Bldg., 3-26-11 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Free Admission

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