Shinji Wakasa (若狭真司)
Shinji Wakasa (b. 1984) is a Tokyo-based artist whose work investigates the materiality of music and the ontological boundaries between life and death. Through multi-channel audio systems and spatial composition, he sculpts immersive sound environments that probe the unknowability of death and the conditions of existence. His installations are site-specific and invite audiences into ritualistic sonic experiences constructed with microorganisms, insect voices, organic materials, and layered spatial acoustics.
In recent years, Wakasa has been exploring site-specific practices, the cycles of organic matter, and the nature and distribution of intelligence. He has also incorporated influences from Zen and Buddhist thought into the core of his work. Central to his practice is the reconsideration of sound not merely as music, but as a living material.
Wakasa has released his works through numerous international labels, including Rottenman Editions Label (Spain), Archives (Spain), Inner Ocean Records (Canada), and Fluid Audio label (UK).
Link tree: https://linktr.ee/shinjiwakasa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shinji_wakasa_works/
Sound Cloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-666602380
Selected Career Highlights:
2025
Aug 4: Live performance at Kanazawa 21st century museum at Presentation Vol.0 by SIDE CORE, Ping paling (Kanazawa, Japan)
July 10: Live performance at Migas (Berlin, Germany)
May 1 ~ July 14: Culterium / Residency / Dahlewitz / Germany / exhibition(Berlin, Germany)
April 25 May 25: Joint exhibition "ANNUN" with :CAFCA, at GASBON METABOLISM (Yamanashi, Japan)
January 17-26: Group exhibition "The Ghost Sings Here" with Kyotaro Hakamada, Ken Matsubara, at MA2 Gallery (Kamakura, Japan)
2024
September 13-17: Solo exhibition Sound Installation Faint Light 2.0, MAGMA Gallery, Oimachi(Tokyo, Japan)
June 15–30: Solo exhibition sound Installation Sound of Dawn, Sony Park Mini, Ginza(Tokyo, Japan)
2023
May 9-27: Solo exhibition "Hakumei 1.1" at Alternative space the white Tokyo.(Tokyo, Japan)
March 29 ~ April 2: Solo exhibition "Hakumei" Sound Installation at Kabutocho AA(Tokyo, Japan)
2022
October 8-9: Sound Performance at Kumutokyo(Tokyo, Japan)
August 6-21: Joint Exhibition "a2" with artist Shingo Okazaki at DIGINNER GALLERY(Tokyo, Japan)
2021
April 3-23: Group exhibition at Kanazawa Contemporary Art Gallery Mercury Cave in Ishikawa Prefecture (Kanazawa, Japan)
December 17: Shinji Wakasa's solo exhibition "Life In The "_____" at CLASKA the 8th gallery(Tokyo, Japan)
2020
October 14: Sound Performance Live at ONKYO BASE(Tokyo, Japan)
2019
November 8-13: Joint Exhibition with painter and collage artist Yoko Inoue at Mejiro fuuro(Tokyo, Japan)
Discography:
2024: DAWN / Inner Ocean Records
2023: "Hakumei" HAKUMEI / Self Release
2022: 【Title】 a2 / 【Artist】 Shinji Wakasa x Shingo Okazaki / 【Label】DIGINNER
2021: Pepo Galan & Shinji Wakasa: Between The Leaves / Fluid Radio, "VAGUE" EXPERIMENT / Self Release, Various Artists – Gradients "Deep Slope" / Inner Ocean Records
2020: Pepo Galan, Shinji Wakasa & Warmth: Reiya / Archives, Pluma / Inner ocean Records
2019: TRANQUILO TRASCIENDO / rottenmaneditions Records