Javier GONZÁLEZ PESCE

• TOP >
• Residency Program >
• Invited Creators >
• Javier GONZÁLEZ PESCE

Javier GONZÁLEZ PESCE

Participating Project	International Creator Residency Program
Activity Base	Santiago
City / Place stayed	Tokyo
Period	2026.5 - 2026.7

Purpose of the residency

I am interested in investigating the relationship that unites Chile and Japan, two countries so far apart but partners in the observation of the sky but also in a telluric activity over our grounds. I plan to study early Japanese Astronomical research and ideas. Besides this (but in poetic connection) I want to introduce myself into the reading of Kojiki and Nihonshoki writings of Shinto mythology, especially the fragments that speak of the formation of the sky and the earth. I pretend to intertwine ideas coming from science and mythology, researching on speculative ideas around the universe situated from Japan.

Plan during the residency

• Research on Sintoism and its imaginary surrounding space.
• Research on the Japanese approach to astronomy and its history.
• Deepen in the links between Japan and Chile and their cultural and scientific approach to territory, the sky and the universe.
• Visit the Instituto f Astronomy at the University of Tokyo and the Kamioka Observatory.
• Interview local specialists on the field of astronomy and Japanese mithology and religión.
• Research on the figure of Koh-Ichiro Morita, Japanese Astronomer who worked in ALMA observatory (Atacama) and who tragicaly died in Chile.

Activities during the residency

I invested myself in the site specific research of ideas that are part of the microscopic and telescopic science. The microscope and telescope opened new spaces for human observation and research. This widened the perspective of science. My research focused on two main topics; 1- The microscopic realm (mostly by examining the work of George Ohsawa), 2- The extra terrestrial territories. Related to this topic my research went from Religious ideas (sintoism) to modern astronomical science.

As part of this research I visited sites of mythological or religious and mythological importance in Tokyo, Okinawa and Miyazaki. I also visited the Kavli Institute for math and physics of the universe, The George Ohsawa library and personal item collection, The Naokawa astronomical Observatory, amongst other. I linked my research with the production of objects and texts.

Outcome of the residency

The residency was so fruitful and interesting. I appreciated the time, the space, and the very new ambience for conducting my research. I read a lot, saw many places, got in touch with a lot of information, produced many objects and conceived some new projects. One project I have conceived will be exhibited in TOKAS Hongo in 2027, which has me very excited and was fully thought and designed in the residency and in link with the research I conducted.
During the residency I created a large number of works and experiences that where exhibited in my studio booth during the open studio.
One work produced in this period was included in my exhibition “Extraterrestrial Affection” in D21 Art space in Chile, which was inaugurated just two weeks after my return.
This residency is complemented to other research processes I have recently conducted in collaboration with Artists en Residence (France, 2025-26), and Embassy of Foreign Artists and Villa Numa with the support of ProHelvetia (Switzerland, 2025). My research started by examining European microscopic science and Astronomy, now complemented with a Japanese perspective. This experience has opened new research lines that are pushing my work to progress.

Creator Information