Art/Storytelling > Journey of the Glass Kimono

Glass Ancestral Kimono

An eerie sound of wind chimes mixes musically
with the gentle rolling surf. Two Japanese fishermen pause
from attending their gear and stare at the ghostly figure
walking slowly on the distant concrete breakwater.

Reiko Fujii journeyed to the towns where her ancestors lived, wearing a kimono she created out of thousands of pieces of glass, fused together into 224 squares, each framing a photograph of one or more of her relatives. With the light reflecting from the rich glass texture and the haunting sounds of windchimes, the kimono acts as a multi-sensory tribute to her family and the many generations who came before her.

Glass Ancestral Kimono
Glass, photo transfers, copper wure, muslin
48 x 42 x 7 in.
2002
Glass Kimono Debut
Video
Trailer 1:31 minutes
2002
Video still
2004
Glass Ancestral Kimono
Kiln-formed Glass, fused photo decals, copper wire, muslin
4' x 3.5' x 7"
2009
Glass Kimonos
Mixed media
2009