Closed off and secluded in a quiet, dimly lit room, Naked: A Living Installation by Eiko & Koma builds an air of mysteriousness and stirs anticipation within prospective viewers at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. To viewers, the presentation is unique and quite unforeseen, as this is Eiko and Koma’s first time presenting a living installation, and their first time presenting the living installation together at the same time, in the same room- naked.

Viewers sit or stand on the floor, only several feet away from the inner souls and bodies of Eiko & Koma, who are covered in soil and feathers. Like two birds of the same feather, the artists lay listlessly in the center of a raised mound. The elevated region is compiled of soil, dirt, rocks, and feathers. The two artists soak up a spotlight as two beautiful bodies of porcelain. Their bodies, adhering to the concept of live sculptures, contrast to the shadowy, soundless room. The atmosphere is opaque, yet transparent. The peace and tranquility is perfect for the intensity and intimacy of the environment. Eiko & Koma decided that their two naked bodies needed to be seen and presented together. The fragile and vulnerable situation is susceptible to drama and expectations that could be easily fabricated and fragmented, respectively. Their bodies make minor actions, slowly, carefully, and lovingly. They remain nude and close for hours. With viewers situated very closely, every visible detail and exact movement of their bodies is put under speculation.

Upon walking into the installation, viewers are presented with a barrier made of scorched canvas, feathers, and soil. The barriers are punctured with dozens of burnt-through holes that shed light and a new perspective to the performance behind it. Along the installation room is the captivating portrait of a woman. Given the natural setting of the presentation, the portrait is done with a peculiar medium, one whose sanity is only valid and permissible with Eiko & Koma as the artists: hair. The neck, collarbone, and face, down to every detail to the hair itself are constructed with nothing but hair, sweet rice paste, and a canvas.

The room is engulfed by an aura of intensity as viewers are captivated by an inner sense of spirituality, mysteriousness, and exploration. Mesmerized into absolute silence, the hushed footsteps of the viewers, the unspoken thoughts of the artists, and the soft and slow dripping of the sea salt isolate the intimate environment. Viewers are in the same room as the two live performers; the viewers and artists are feeling the same atmosphere, breathing the same air, and listening to the same sounds. The setting is geared towards the idea of creating a sustained intimacy to share, experience, and explore ourselves and one another– the viewers and the artists.