Kyoka
Japan-born, Zurich-based sound artist, composer, electronic music producer, and DJ. With a background in experimental electronic music, sound installation, and field recording, she is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Composition and Sound Arts at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). She has presented her work internationally at major art institutions and media art festivals, including the Venice Biennale, Ars Electronica, Centre Pompidou, Mutek, and CTM Festival.
In conversation with Kyoka during the exhibition Oltre la pietra at Castelgrande, Bellinzona.
What is the purpose in your work?
Since I was a child, I’ve always been fascinated by machines and systems. I remember seeing vending machines and feeling something like gratitude, and maybe even envy, toward the person who invented them. I thought it was so cool that you could put in a coin and something would come out. It felt like magic. That made me want to create something similar, a system that works. Another moment I remember clearly was when I was about three. My parents took me to a ballet performance. There was classical music and dancing, and after the show ended, even though no one was playing anymore, I could still hear the sound in the hall because of the reverb. That also felt like a miracle. It gave me a similar feeling to what I experienced with machines. Later, when I was a bit older, I found my father’s cassette recorder. It was broken, and I really wanted to understand what was happening inside. I opened it, tried to fix it, but I couldn’t. I was maybe eight years old. So I went to the library to learn how it worked. I found out that a small needle with electricity touches the tape, and that’s how it records and plays back sound. That was another small miracle to me.
What drives me is the wish to understand how things work, and the fascination that comes with it. It’s not only about sound or machines, but about systems that function and create something meaningful.
I think artists have the strength to affect people in different ways. I like seeing people dance, feel calm or happy. I like seeing them be themselves, without stress or pressure. When I create something, I try to stay neutral. I don’t want to control others. I just want people to feel okay as they are, and for their internal system to work well. Maybe this is still connected to my love for systems. I feel good when something functions smoothly, also in human emotions and behavior.
Tell us about the project you exhibited at Oltre la pietra
The project I brought is part of a topic I’ve been exploring for a while. I’m interested in perception. How each person experiences things differently, depending on their cultural background, their personality, or what they’ve lived through. It’s not about right or wrong. It’s just something I like to observe and stay close to.