# Fish Hugging Slimy Performance Art Based on the Japanese Namazu Myth By TrendHead | Published 2009-01-08 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fish-hugging-performances-art-by-eske-kath-and-oh-land References: [kopenhagen.dk](http://www.kopenhagen.dk/interviews/interviews/interview_med_eske_kath/) & [laviolabank](http://www.laviolabank.com) This [artistic catfish performance](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bio-pop) by Danish artist Eske Kath and singer Oh land is brilliantly absurd when you have no idea what the background is behind it. It is, in fact, a historic Japanese myth acted out in the midst of Eske Kath’s solo exhibition entitled Namazu-Event at the newly opened La Viola Gallery located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, NY. The exhibition consists of an installation of a giant catfish diving up from a red surface in the cracked floor, a series of collages made from pictures of outer space, photographs of a fish-man and a girl as seen above, along with a series of large paintings. All of which were inspired by the Japanese myth of Namazu. According to the myth of Namazu, which you will find is featured on many [Japanese wood carvings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japonisme-1), the whole country of Japan rested on the back of a catfish, which was held in place by a God who held the fish pointing down holding a stone over its head. But when the God left one day, to do Godly things presumably, the stone was off and the fish was loose, causing a devastating earth quake. The Namazu-Event is on until January 3rd. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 29% | Activity: 80% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Performance Art:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating interactive elements and digital technology into performance art to enhance audience engagement. - **Mythology-inspired Art:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Using traditional myths as inspiration for contemporary art forms, blending cultural heritage with modern artistic expression. - **Environmental Awareness:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating art installations and exhibitions that raise awareness about the impact of environmental disasters, like earthquakes, on communities. ### Where This Applies - **Art:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Implementing augmented reality and virtual reality technology to transform the art viewing experience and allow for immersive interactions with artworks. - **Entertainment:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing immersive and multisensory performances that combine various art forms, such as music, dance, and visual arts, to create unique and unforgettable experiences. - **Education:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrating mythology and folklore into educational programs to foster cultural understanding and creativity among students. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Raunchy Anime-Inspired Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manuela-soto-sosa.md) - [Destructive Nature Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keita-miyazaki.md) - [Sea-Inspired Mini Sculpture Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-sculptures.md) - [Mesmerizing Sculpture Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mesmerizing-sculpture.md) - [Playful Pop Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/louis-vuitton-octopus.md) - [Whimsical Spirit Art Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anima.md) - [Immersive Digital Forests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teamlab-1.md) - [Interactive Marine Ecosystem Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marine-ecosystem-sculptures.md) - [Live-Streaming Fish Doorbells](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/visdeurbel.md)