A nursery school operated on this site since before the current building was constructed in 1979. The birth rate peaked around the same time – 1975 – and has declined ever since, leading to the school going into hiatus in 2006. At this place where many adults and children used to gather, the artist created an installation using seeds and seed coats. Through this work, visitors are encouraged to reflect on what it means to prosper, to protect, and to nurture the next generation.

Ms. Cardoso has had a long career creating works with natural materials and materials distinctive to the specific location. For this
art piece, she used pinecones as well as camellia and caltrop (water chestnut) seeds, all of which are native to Suzu. Collecting and sorting the materials was made possible by the help of the local community, with around 80% of the approximately 35,000 items collected used in the work.

Each room of the building features an installation using seeds and seed coats of the same species. Although each individual item is small, the patterns created by the large number of seeds laid out in a row or covering a surface evoke the power that plants have to pass on life to the next generation. The artist commented that “what interests me the most is the toughness and beautiful shapes of the seedpods that contain the seed. I see in these woody seedpods a fierce and protective role of maternity.” They are time capsules which protect seeds so they can travel through time and space. By being located within a now-closed nursery school, this work reminds us that humans, like all animals and plants, have a biological imperative to reproduce, to protect, and to nurture the next generation.

Ms. Cardoso was also inspired by the kamishibai (picture storybooks) remaining at the nursery, and – in collaboration with the local reading team “Donguri-no Kai” (The Acorn Society) and Mr. Gary Warner – created special kamishibai for the exhibition. The Festival session included performances of these kamishibai.