Words and Images: 'XOXO' by Natsuko Teruya

Not unlike philosophy, Natsuko leaves us with more questions than answers. Cryptic and open to interpretation, her work is a challenge to the viewer, something she takes great delight in. So, what exactly is “XOXO”? It’s not “hugs and kisses”, for sure. No, that would be too predictable, and Natsuko has no interest in Gossip Girl, either. Her use of the term suggests intense flirtation. But then, in comes the pineapple. Is it a code? Does it represent a sweet smell of some sort? And what does the metronome stand for? “Nothing in reality is sweeter and more magical than what we build up in our heads,” is all she offers. Is “XOXO” an attempt to capture the fleetingness of memory? A defence against pain? Questions that beget more questions.