Helena Marika Ekenger has brought

together an array of branches to create

an assemblage that opens like a

Japanese fan. This site specific “Forest

Fan” starts on the ground at a point

called “chi” (the earth), just under the

point where the sections of a fan meet

called “kaname”. Traditionally, this “chi”

symbolizes the earth and is a place

where life begins – birth. Opening out

from this beginning, the branches of

Ekinger’s assemblage spread out and

extend upwards - a “nature fan”.

Sometimes complex, other times quite

simple, these branches continue to their

end points suggesting a finality, or where

we may end up after this life journey.

The top fan ending is traditionally called

“ten” and is associated with heaven.

Paper elements affixed from behind the

branches add a human and cultural

element to what looks like a natural

phenomenon. The fan-like form also

could suggest a hand, whose two thumbs

could be mother and father, and the

fingers the children in a family. Like a 3-

Dinensional drawing, Ekenger’s fan with

paper attachments recalls the ‘paper

walls” in a Japanese home. Integration

and unity of – spirit, mind, body – in

nature.

​

​John K. Grande