AOTM (Asians On The Moon) BOMBshell for
Yokohama Boogie: Under the Influence
ZAIM, Yokohama, Japan 2007
5-day performance, installation, comic book[CLICK HERE to view an add'l performance]
from ARTIST EXHIBITION STATEMENT
I chose AOTM BOMBshell as the title of this
piece combining English language meanings and
connotations with its characters visually re-
sembling those of Japanese kana: AOTM = ムロイホ.
This is an acronym for Asians On The Moon and
is the major concept for my installation, Yoko-
hama being the first of earth to colonize the
moon. AOTM (pronounced “atom”) also serves as
the name of a large female persona that will
facilitate this mission. This project/ persona
is a product of opposites converging: Western
with Eastern influences; female with male per-
sonalities; glitz/glamour with technology and
ritual-based practices, Las Vegas and Yokohama
morphing into one collective unit promoting
ideal notions I as artist hold for each place.
The word atom in the english language relates
to building blocks, energy and destruction in
its weapon form. Atomic radiation was the
creator of such oversized cult demolitionists
as Godzilla (in Japan) and The 50ft Woman (in
America). In English, Adam (pronounced nearly
exactly the sameas atom) is believed by the
Christian religion to be the first man on
earth. In this exhibition, AOTM is the first
“bombshell” (or sexually iconicwoman) on the
moon. Given my tall physical appearance and
affinity for wearing women’s clothes I thought
this concept an appropriate way to relay ideas
of globalization specifically considering these
two cultures. Mygoal in developing the AOTM
persona is to actively portray collective con-
structive ideas and actions rather than promot-
ing destructive forcesnormally associated with
anything especially large and atomic.
I created a flag that references the Japanese
national flag insofar as instead of a red sun
on a white background it represents a white
moon on a hot pink background. Pink represents
femininity, playfulness, eroticism and flare.
Other references to pink include: Elvis’ pink
cadillac, Barbie dolls, pink triangles associat-
ed with homosexual profiling and/or pride,
Bubblegum Manga, Pachinko advertising …called
shocking pink in the 1930s, hot pink in the
1950s, and kinky pink in the 1960s...[it] has
appeared in the vanguard of more than one youth
revolution...to some it sings, to others it
screams. It is often used as a slang term to
refer to the female genitalia. This color has
always been popular among the avant-garde.
Soft-core adult films in Japan are often called
pink movies because the color cherry blossom
pink is associated in Japan with the vagina.
AOTM (Asians On The Moon) BOMBshell- Day 1,2,3: Build Build Build; Day 4:Bulldoze, 2007
for Yokohama Boogie: Under the Influence at ZAIM
Yokohama, Japan
video work by DJ Shadow, Klaus Schaffler; curated by KJ Baysa
AOTM (Asians On The Moon) BOMBshell- Day 5: Launch, 2007
for Yokohama Boogie: Under the Influence at ZAIM
Yokohama, Japan
video work by DJ Shadow, Klaus Schaffler; curated by KJ Baysa
Day 1: Build (Gaysha Presley outfit)
(installation)
(installation)
(installation)
I obtained the signatures of 76 local individuals in total: 44 in favor
of going to the moon with me...
...31 not interested; 1 who signed that she would like to go “later”
Day 3: Build (KISS McNuggets outfit)
Day 4: Recruit and Bulldoze (Stardusted Foul Balls outfit)
