Mieko Shiomi: On ever-changing appearance—a conversation with Sally Kawamura

In this email interview, composer Mieko Shiomi (b. 1938) discusses with Sally Kawamura the “ever-changing” nature of her works. The interview spans her practice from the development of her musical ideas into objects and actions through to the present day. Her most formative early works, Mirror Piece and Endless Box (both 1963), are considered in terms of both background and exhibition, and it becomes apparent that Shiomi’s approach to creating and exhibiting emphasizes transformation. Through her discussion of Spatial Poem (1965–75), her concept of transmedia, and some of her most recent installations, Shiomi’s appreciation of fresh interpretation becomes evident. Her creative process underlines the importance of responding to specific locations and circumstances and she articulates that the one thing that will not change in her future work is its ability to change form depending on its environment. Speaking at the end of the interview about exhibiting Fluxus works in general, she highlights imagination and new possibilities.