An installation that visualises "Living with Cancer"
Co-Cancer is an installation that makes us realise that cancer exists in everyone’s lives. In this exhibition, the participants wrote their thoughts on “living with cancer” that subsequently covered an ordinary room. In contrast to the familiarity with the space, the unfamiliarity of the design helped the audience to extend the experience to everyday life outside of the installation.
This installation reminds the audience that cancer patients are not the only ones “living with cancer”. It aims to raise awareness for everyone to create personal and professional spaces that are supportive and accepting. It is our responsibility to acknowledge facts about cancer including the importance of preventive checkups and the process after diagnosis. Regardless of differences in experiences and relationships with cancer, it is a personal matter for everyone.
The Next Ribbon Project is initiated by The Asahi Shimbun Company, one of the largest newspaper companies in Japan. It aims to create supportive environments for recovering patients after diagnosis and to normalise preventive checkups.
One of their activities includes collecting rainbow-coloured ribbons with messages about “living with cancer” written on them. Some of the messages read: “I pray for my coworker to be able to work again”, “I am going to fight and win”, “I am going to live happily every day”, and “I am going to live like myself”.
Co-Cancer is the first joint project between The Next Ribbon Project and Tama Art University. The installation is conducted by a group of design students to effectively convey the messages to society. As an art director, I directed the concept and the design of the room, which is covered with grid patterns consisting of messages.
