Synthetic Spirits: Kameosa

In Japanese folklore, tsukumogami are everyday objects that acquire spirits after long periods of existence, a belief that offers a striking counterpoint to today’s throwaway culture. Synthetic Spirits is a pair of kinetic installations that turn screens into lenses revealing this spirit world. One features a sake bottle, the other a straw sandal; both inhabited by their respective tsukumogami spirits, Kameosa and Bakezōri, famously depicted in medieval illustrations. The objects glide past the displays in a mechanical choreography as generative AI conjures the yokai inhabiting them. Each pass unveils a different spirit, momentarily revealing this hidden world. The work was displayed in a historic sake store at the Setouchi Triennale in Japan. Fabrication was supported by Autodesk (Fusion for CAD) and Qidi (Plus 4 for 3D printing).