![TajimaM.1815_Epimelesthai Sautou (Take Care), 3_web.jpg](https://www.pacegallery.com/media/images/TajimaM.1815_Epimelesthai_Sautou_Take_Care_3_w.original.webp)
Mika Tajima, Epimelesthai Sautou (Take Care), 3, 2014, Spray enamel, thermoformed acrylic, aluminum, 78 x 78 x 33 inches, (198.1 x 198.1 x 83.8 centimeters) © Mika Tajima
Mika Tajima
![MDC_9067](https://www.pacegallery.com/media/images/MDC_9067.original.webp)
Photo: Matt Dutile
At the heart of Mika Tajima’s multidisciplinary practice, which spans performance, sculpture, painting, and new media installation is a profound inquiry into the conditions of human agency and self-determinacy in built and virtual spaces.
Tracing modernist architecture and design from the Industrial Revolution to the sharing economy, Tajima draws on philosopher Hannah Arendt’s idea of a social space—by which living things make their appearance to probe the visibility of performance, control, and freedom—to investigate how different digital and aesthetic technologies manifest as sensorial and psychic experiences.
Tajima’s early investigation into the regulatory and relational structures of human bodies in built environments would eventually lead to her explorations into the role of human labor in industrial and digital automation. Negative Entropy (2010–present), one of Tajima’s best-known series, comprises abstract woven portraits of field recordings of production noise at industrial textile factories and data centers, in addition to human voices. These portraits are converted into digital spectrogram images, which are then translated into a pattern by a weaver who creates a Jacquard fabric of it. This series has extended to biotech companies producing medical devices and labs developing aneutronic fusion power.
Tajima has also explored psycho-geographic data to measure the collective sentiment of specific geographic regions affected by political events and market trends in real-time. This interest in mood as material can be traced to Tajima’s Art d’Ameublement (2011–present) series, which encompasses paintings made from vacuum-formed transparent shells reverse-sprayed in a vibrant gradient of acrylic colors. Each work in this series, subtitled by a geographic location as a nod to composer Erik Satie’s “furniture music,” is meant to recede into the periphery, like wallpaper. These imaginary associations have extended to Tajima’s use of algorithms to measure real-time sentiments impacted by the price fluctuation of gold in Meridian (Gold) (2016) and through Twitter feeds corresponding to political events in Human Synth (Los Angeles) (2019)—both works are illuminated by plumes of vapor or smoke. Her work examines the ways that, as data is increasingly customized, the boundaries of agency, identity, and privacy are obscured.
Tajima first used jet nozzles in Epimelesthai Sautou (Take Care) (2014–present), a series that appropriated hot tubs built to conform to the body as a form of hydrotherapy. The artist displayed these works upright in a color gradient on vacuum-formed materials—akin to her Art d’Ameublement paintings—that point to regulated modes of communal leisure. Tajima has taken this further in her Pranayama (2017–present) sculptures, which are shaped by indexical impressions of the body on carved wood, marble, or rose quartz and punctured with bronze jet nozzle holes that correlate with pressure points, opening up unmediated flows of breath and energy as counterpoints.
Text by Mika Yoshitake, Independent Curator
![TajimaM.2126_Art d'Ameublement_Onamu_01_CB_web.jpg](https://www.pacegallery.com/media/images/TajimaM.2126_Art_dAmeublement_Onamu_01_CB_web.original.webp)
Mika Tajima, Art d'Ameublement, (Onamu), 2021, Spray acrylic, thermoformed PETG, 90 x 65 inches, (228.6 x 165.1 centimeters), Photography by Charles Benton, New York © Mika Tajima
![TajimaM.2120_Art d'Ameublement (Martin Vaz)_install_CB_web.jpg](https://www.pacegallery.com/media/images/TajimaM.2120_Art_dAmeublement_Martin_Vaz_insta.original.webp)
Mika Tajima, Art d'Ameublement, (Martin Vaz), 2021, Spray acrylic, thermoformed PETG, 90 x 65 inches, (228.6 x 165.1 centimeters), Photography by Charles Benton, New York © Mika Tajima
![TajimaM.1928_Human_Synth_4_LT_web.jpg](https://www.pacegallery.com/media/images/TajimaM.1928_Human_Synth_4_LT_web.width-2000.webp)
Mika Tajima, Human Synth (Los Angeles), 2019, Custom predictive sentiment analysis program, gaming engine, Alienware VR PC, Twitter API; video, color; endless duration, Dimensions variable , Edition 2 of 3, Photography by Flying Studio, Los Angeles © Mika Tajima
![TajimaM.2012_Negative Entropy_Kurozumikyo Shinto Shrine, Dawn Meditation, Red, Double_install_1_CB_web.jpg](https://www.pacegallery.com/media/images/TajimaM.2012_Negative_Entropy_Kurozumikyo_Shin.original.webp)
Mika Tajima, Negative Entropy (Kurozumikyo Shinto Shrine, Dawn Meditation, Red, Double), 2019, Polyester, nylon, rayon, acrylic, wool, wool acoustic baffling felt, and wood, 55 x 43 1/2 x 2 3/8 inches (139.7 x 110.5 x 6 centimeters), Photography by Charles Benton, New York © Mika Tajima
![TajimaM.2055_Digital-Ocean-NYC2-4U-NAS-Unit-Fluorescent-Green-Hex_floor.jpg](https://www.pacegallery.com/media/images/TajimaM.2055_Digital-Ocean-NYC2-4U-NAS-Unit-Fl.original.webp)
Mika Tajima, Negative Entropy (Digital Ocean NYC2, 4U NAS Unit, Fluorescent Green, Hex), 2020, Cotton, wool acoustic baffling felt, and wood, 54 x 108 inches (137.2 x 274.3 centimeters), Photography by Charles Benton, New York © Mika Tajima
![TajimaM.2130_Anima 16_01_CB_web.jpg](https://www.pacegallery.com/media/images/TajimaM.2130_Anima_16_01_CB_web.original.webp)
Mika Tajima, Anima 16, 2021, Glass, cast bronze jet nozzles, 19 x 17 x 10 inches (48.3 x 43.2 x 25.4 centimeters), Photography by Charles Benton, New York © Mika Tajima
![TajimaM.2109_Pranayama Monolith G, Rose Quartz_03_LT_web.jpg](https://www.pacegallery.com/media/images/TajimaM.2109_Pranayama_Monolith_G_Rose_Quartz_.original.webp)
Mika Tajima, Pranayama (Monolith G, Rose Quartz), 2021, Rose quartz, cast bronze jet nozzles, 45 x 57 x 40 inches (114.3 x 144.8 x 101.6 centimeters), Photography by Flying Studio, Los Angeles © Mika Tajima
One-Artist Exhibitions
One-Artist Exhibitions
Dates
Born 1975, Los Angeles, California
Lives and works in New York
Education
2003, Columbia University, School of Arts, New York, M.F.A
1997, The Fabric Workshop and Museum Apprentice Training Program, Philadelphia, Post Graduate Apprentice
1997, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, B.A.
2024
Mika Tajima: Super Natural, Hill Art Foundation, New York, May 2–July 26, 2024.
Mika Tajima: Energetics, Pace Gallery, 540 West 25th Street, New York, January 12–February 24, 2024. (Digital Catalogue)
2022
Mika Tajima: Air Max, Pace Gallery, Geneva, July 13–August 13, 2022.
Mika Tajima: Spectral, Taro Nasu Gallery, Tokyo, May 21–June 18, 2022.
Mika Tajima: Appear, Dazaifu Tenmangu, Fukuoka, Japan, May 15–October 10, 2022.
Mika Tajima: You Must Be Free, Kayne Griffin, Los Angeles, January 22–March 12, 2022.
2021
Mika Tajima: Pranayama (Monolith, F, Rose Quartz), Kayne Griffin, Los Angeles, April 13–July 2, 2021.
Mika Tajima: REGULATION, Simon Lee Gallery, London, April 12–May 8, 2021.
2019
Mika Tajima: PSYCHO GRAPHICS, Kayne Griffin Corcoran, Los Angeles, November 16, 2019–January 11, 2020.
Mika Tajima: PSYCHO GRAPHICS, Art Production Fund, Los Angeles, October 2–November 30, 2019.
2018
Mika Tajima: Ulterior, Francesca Minini, Milan, November 20, 2018–January 12, 2019.
Mika Tajima: Aether, curated by Margot Norton, Borusan Contemporary, Istanbul, March 3–August 19, 2018.
2017
Mika Tajima: Touchless, Taro Nasu, Tokyo, November 11–December 16, 2017.
Mika Tajima: AIR, Raster Gallery, Warsaw, September 22–November 18, 2017.
Mika Tajima: Matrix 177, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, Connecticut, June 1–September 3, 2017. (Exhibition Brochure)
2016
Mika Tajima: Emotion Commune, Protocinema, Istanbul, May 28–July 2, 2016.
Mika Tajima: Embody, 11R, New York, February 13–March 13, 2016.
Mika Tajima: Meridian (Gold), Sculpture Center, New York, January 9–August 31, 2016.
2015
Mika Tajima: Human Synth, Taro Nasu, Tokyo, October 23–November 21, 2015.
2014
Mika Tajima: Total Body Conditioning, Art in General, New York, September 13–October 25, 2014.
Mika Tajima: Negative Entropy, 11R, New York, March 2–April 13, 2014.
2013
Mika Tajima: Total Body Conditioning, Galeria Quadrado Azul, Lisbon, February 9–March 16, 2013.
2012
Mika Tajima: Pineapples and Pyramids, Aspen Art Museum, Colorado, January 1–February 12, 2012.
2011
Mika Tajima: The Architect’s Garden, UT Visual Art Center, Austin, Texas, September 9–December 17, 2011.
Mika Tajima: After the Martini Shot, Seattle Art Museum, Washington, July 16, 2011–June 17, 2012.
Mika Tajima, Elizabeth Dee Gallery, New York, January 8–February 19, 2011.
2010
Mika Tajima: The Double, Bass Museum, Miami, March 13–June 27, 2010.
2009
Mika Tajima: The Extras, X Initiative, New York, March 2009.
2008
Mika Tajima: The Double, Centre for Opinions on Music and Art, Berlin, 2008.
Mika Tajima: The Double, The Kitchen, New York, March 14–April 26, 2008.
2007
Mika Tajima: Thin Line, Circuit, Lausanne, Switzerland, December 7–22, 2007.
Mika Tajima: New Humans: Disassociate, Elizabeth Dee Gallery, New York, February 17–March 31, 2007.
2005
Mika Tajima: Echoplex, Swiss Institute Contemporary Art, New York, February 15–March 26, 2005.
Group Exhibitions
Group Exhibitions
Mika Tajima
Bibliography: Books
2024
Mika Tajima: Energetics (digital exhibition catalogue). Text by Matilde Guidelli-Guidi. New York: Pace Publishing, 2024.
2022
Mika Tajima. Text by Mika Tajima, Eugenia Bell, T'ai Lin Smith, and Mika Yoshitake. Los Angeles: Inventory Press and Kayne Griffin, 2022.
2015
Mika Tajima: Total Body Conditioning. Texts by Mika Tajima and Matthew Lyons. London: Black Dog Publishing Limited, 2015.
2012
New York: Directions, Points of Interest (exhibition catalogue). Texts by Elena Tavecchia and Alex Kitnick. Milan: Mousse Publishing, 2012.
2011
Common Love, Aesthetics of Becoming (exhibition catalogue). New York: Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery, 2011.
2009
Adajania, Nancy, and Anne Ellegood. Vitamin 3-D: New Perspectives in Sculpture and Installation. London: Phaidon, 2009.
2008
Whitney Biennial 2008 (exhibition catalogue). New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press; New York: Whitney Museum of American Art, 2008.
2007
Sympathy for the Devil: Rock and Roll in Art (exhibition catalogue). Text by Dominic Molon. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 2007.
2006
One Way or Another: Asian American Art Now (exhibition catalogue). Texts by Melissa Chiu. Karin M Higa, and Susette S Min. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 2006.
2005
Uncertain States of America: American Art in the 3rd Millennium (exhibition catalogue). Texts by Daniel Birnbaum, Gunnar B. Kvaran, Hans Ulrich Obrist, et al. Oslo: Astrup Fearnley Museet for Moderne Kunst, 2005: 108–109, illustrated.
2002
Comfort Zone (exhibition catalogue). Text by Ellen Lupton. Philadelphia: Fabric Workshop and Museum, 2002.
Public Collections
Public Collections
Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York
CCS Bard, Annandale-On-Hudson, New York
Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, Texas
The Fabric Workshop & Museum, Philadelphia
FRAC Nord Pas de Calais, France
Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles
Hammer Museum, Los Angeles
Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington D.C.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
New York Public Library
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York
Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York
Yale University, Sterling Library, New Haven, Connecticut
Books and Catalogues
Books and Catalogues
2024
Mika Tajima: Energetics (digital exhibition catalogue). Text by Matilde Guidelli-Guidi. New York: Pace Publishing, 2024.
2022
Mika Tajima. Text by Mika Tajima, Eugenia Bell, T'ai Lin Smith, and Mika Yoshitake. Los Angeles: Inventory Press and Kayne Griffin, 2022.
2015
Mika Tajima: Total Body Conditioning. Texts by Mika Tajima and Matthew Lyons. London: Black Dog Publishing Limited, 2015.
2012
New York: Directions, Points of Interest (exhibition catalogue). Texts by Elena Tavecchia and Alex Kitnick. Milan: Mousse Publishing, 2012.
2011
Common Love, Aesthetics of Becoming (exhibition catalogue). New York: Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery, 2011.
2009
Adajania, Nancy, and Anne Ellegood. Vitamin 3-D: New Perspectives in Sculpture and Installation. London: Phaidon, 2009.
2008
Whitney Biennial 2008 (exhibition catalogue). New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press; New York: Whitney Museum of American Art, 2008.
2007
Sympathy for the Devil: Rock and Roll in Art (exhibition catalogue).Text by Dominic Molon. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 2007.
2006
One Way or Another: Asian American Art Now (exhibition catalogue). Texts by Melissa Chiu. Karin M Higa, and Susette S Min. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 2006.
2005
Uncertain States of America: American Art in the 3rd Millennium (exhibition catalogue). Texts by Daniel Birnbaum, Gunnar B. Kvaran, Hans Ulrich Obrist, et al. Oslo: Astrup Fearnley Museet for Moderne Kunst, 2005: 108–109, illustrated.
2002
Comfort Zone (exhibition catalogue). Text by Ellen Lupton. Philadelphia: Fabric Workshop and Museum, 2002.
Periodicals
Periodicals
2024
Cornelius, Keridwen. “During Frieze Week, Artists Examine the Effects of Technology.” The New York Times, 25 April 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/25/arts/design/frieze-technology.html#:~:text=During%20Frieze%20Week%20in%20New,make%20smartphones%2C%20laptops%20and%20batteries.
“Energetic Works Inspired by the Process of Life” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). Tape, 30 January 2024. https://www.ta.pe/experiences/VpOCld9Mgn2.
Halperin, Julia. “Here Are the 11 Must-See Exhibitions Opening in New York This January” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). Cultured, 10 January 2024. https://www.culturedmag.com/article/2024/01/10/new-york-exhibition-opening.
Halperin, Julia. “10 Visionary Women Collectors From the 'CULTURED' Archives Reveal the Artists They’ve Got Their Eye On.” Cultured Magazine, 22 March 2024. https://www.culturedmag.com/article/2024/03/22/women-art-collectors-artists.
“Mika Tajima: Energetics” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). Art Plugged, 6 January 2024. https://artplugged.co.uk/mika-tajima-energetics/.
“Mika Tajima: Energetics” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). Arte Realizzata, 2 February 2024. https://www.arterealizzata.com/exhibition-showcase/mika-tajima-energetics.
Rabb, Maxwell. “Mika Tajima’s Multi-Sensory Art Center Humanity in the Torrent of Technology” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). Artsy, 19 January 2024. https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-mika-tajimas-multi-sensory-art-centers-humanity-torrent-technology.
Rabb, Maxwell. “What Sold at Art Basel Hong Kong 2024.” Artsy, 1 April 2024. https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-sold-art-basel-hong-kong-2024
Szremski, Ania. “Mika Tajima” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). 4 Columns, 16 February 2024. https://4columns.org/szremski-ania/mika-tajima.
Tauer, Kristen. “Inside Mika Tajima’s ‘Energetics’ Exhibition at Pace Gallery in New York” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). Women’s Wear Daily, 5 February 2024. https://wwd.com/eye/lifestyle/mika-tajima-energetics-exhibition-pace-gallery-new-york-1236158411/.
Terry, Christa. “Mood Is Her Medium” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). Observer, 9 January 2024. https://observer.com/2024/01/mood-is-her-medium-mika-tajima/.
Yerebakan, Osman Can. “For Mika Tajima, The Body Is A Mystery Land Full of Entry Points of Exploration” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). Elephant Magazine, 17 January 2024. https://elephant.art/for-mika-tajima-the-body-is-a-mystery-land-full-of-entry-points-of-exploration/.
2023
Hui, Charlie. “Art Basel Unlimited 2023: In Photos.” Ocula, 15 June 2023. https://ocula.com/magazine/photologs/art-basel-2023-unlimited-in-photos/
Kakar, Arun. “5 Collectors on Their Highlights and Purchases from Art Basel 2023.” Artsy, 21 June 2023. https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-5-collectors-highlights-purchases-art-basel-2023
“Mika Tajima’s Debut Standalone Web3 Project.” NFT Culture, 1 March 2023. https://www.nftculture.com/nft-art/mika-tajimas-debut-standalone-web3-project/
Spens, Christiana. “Mika Tajima: Regulation.” (Simon Lee exhibition review). Studio International, 30 April 2021.
Waga, Nel-Olivia. “Inside Art Basel’s Unlimited 2023.” Forbes, 15 June 2023. https://www.forbes.com/sites/neloliviawaga/2023/06/15/inside-art-basels-unlimited-show-2023/?sh=6cd436ca2fde
2021
Gaskin, Sam. “Melissa Chiu Highlights Local Artists in the Hawai’i Triennial 2022.” Ocula. 18 October 2021. https://ocula.com/magazine/art-news/melissa-chiu-highlights-hawaiian-artists-at-ht22/
Lubow, Arthur. “Valeria Napoleone Puts Ladies First." W Magazine. 19 October 2021. https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/valeria-napoleone-art-collection-interview
Rappolt, Mark. “Mika Tajima: Illusions of Control” (Simon Lee exhibition review). ArtReview. April 2021. https://artreview.com/mika-tajima-illusions-of-control/
Spens, Christiana. “Mika Tajima: Regulation” (Simon Lee exhibition review). Studio International, 30 April 2021. https://www.studiointernational.com/mika-tajima-regulation-review-simon-lee-gallery-london
2019
Selvin, Claire. “Foundation for Contemporary Arts Names 2019 Grants to Artists.” Artnews. 23 January 2019. https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/foundation-contemporary-arts-names-2019-grants-artists-including-tania-bruguera-trisha-donnelly-11734/
2018
Russeth, Andrew. “Mika Tajima Joins Kayne Griffin Corcoran in Los Angeles.” Artnews. 9 August 2018. (opens in a new window) https://www.artnews.com/art-news/market/mika-tajima-joins-kayne-griffin-corcoran-los-angeles-10783/
Tajima, Mika. “Mika Tajima.” Interview with Yuri Yureeka Yasuda. Forbes Japan. 28 September 2018. https://forbesjapan.com/articles/detail/22769
2017
Scher, Robin. “Mika Tajima and Patricia Treib Named Winners of 2017 New York Artadia Awards.” Artnews. 24 April 2017. https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/mika-tajima-and-patricia-treib-named-winners-of-2017-new-york-artadia-awards-8195
2016
Ari, Akkermans. “A Luminescent Installation Responds to Twitter” (Istanbul Textile Traders’ Market exhibition review). Hyperallergic. 30 June 2016. https://hyperallergic.com/308583/a-luminescent-installation-responds-to-twitter-users-mood-swings/
Battaglia, Andy. "In a Queens Park." The Wall Street Journal. 13 June 2016. wsj.com/articles/in-a-queens-park-art-rises-from-the-mist-1465857678
Godfrey-Lamon, Annie. “Review: Mika Tajima” (11R exhibition review). Artforum. April 2016. https://www.artforum.com/print/reviews/201604/mika-tajima-58732
Gopnik, Blake. “At Invisible Exports, Mika Tajima Weaves Sound.” Artnet. 14 January 2016. https://news.artnet.com/market/invisible-exports-mika-tajima-weaves-sound-407162¶
Halperin, Julia. "Kids Commission the Darnedest Things." The Art Newspaper. 16 June 2016. https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2016/06/16/kids-commission-the-darnedest-things-new-york-high-schoolers-choose-public-art-for-long-island-city
Kinsella, Eileen. "Mika Tajima’s Pink Hot Tub." Artnet News. 10 June 2016. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/mika-tajima-hot-pink-hot-tub-510155
Korman, Sam. "All Gold Everything." Art in America. 16 June 2016. https://www.artnews.com/art-in-america/features/all-gold-everything-mika-tajimas-public-art-59992/
Smith, William S. “Ambient Aesthetics.” Art in America. 1 June 2016. https://www.artnews.com/art-in-america/features/ambient-aesthetics-1-63172/
Strawbridge, Jackie. "Sit in a Sculpture of Mist." LicPost. 28 April 2016. https://www.sculpture-center.org/files/LIC_MikaTajima_20160505.pdf
Tajima, Mika. "Mika Tajima’s Intangible Tangibility." Interview with Emily McDermott. Interview Magazine. 21 June 2016. https://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/mika-tajima¶
Vogel, Wendy. “Critics’ Pick: Mika Tajima” (11R exhibition review). Artforum. February 2016. https://www.artforum.com/picks/mika-tajima-58384
“This Week.” The New Yorker. 4 July 2016. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/07/04/mika-tajimas-meridian-gold¶
Zion, Amy. “Critic’s Guide: New York” (11R exhibition review). Frieze. 9 March 2016. https://www.frieze.com/article/critics-guide-new-york
2014
Estefan, Kareem. “Mika Tajima.” Bomb. Summer 2014. https://bombmagazine.org/articles/mika-tajima/
Wallace, Ian. “Artists Mika Tajima on Shaping the Human Body Through Sculpture.” Artspace. 3 June 2014. https://www.artspace.com/magazine/interviews_features/studio_visit/interview_mika_tajima-52312