HOT SANDWICH MAKERS CLUB

HOT SANDWICH MAKERS CLUB
2022-ongoing
Mixed Media, video installation
Variable size

When ingredients from different cultures are sandwiched between slices of bread and grilled, the result is often delicious. This simple idea sparked the “Hot Sandwich Makers Club” project, which aims to share stories of people with diverse cultural backgrounds and build networks across the world. Yamaguchi travels with a sandwich maker, inviting people he meets to create hot sandwiches using ingredients that are meaningful to them. They then share the meal together. The conversations that arise during this process are carefully documented through video and drawings. Ultimately, words that Yamaguchi wishes to share with others are selected from these interactions.

In 2022, a particularly impactful work emerged from an encounter with a young Uzbek immigrant in Berlin. While it may be difficult to fully comprehend the history of Russian occupation in his homeland or the hardships he faced as an immigrant in Germany, Yamaguchi attempted to absorb his companion’s incomprehensible experiences through the act of eating the sandwiched words. The poignant phrase “I’M FROM HUMAN,” spoken by the young man, was engraved on a specially crafted sandwich maker. Since then, Yamaguchi has been using this unique sandwich maker to perform sandwich-making events throughout Japan and overseas. These activities are presented as video installations at various exhibitions, continuing to explore the potential of cultural exchange through food.

-Appearance-

Feb 15 – Feb 24, 2025
Project to Support Emerging Media Arts Creators Presentation Exhibition
TODA HALL & CONFERENCE TOKYO, Japan

Dec 11 – Dec 17, 2023
Contemporary Art Foundation Award 2023
Daikanyama Hillside Forum, Tokyo, Japan
*Performances on all day.

Nov 4 – Nov 25, 2022
A-TOM ART AWARD 2022 Vernacular and Dawn
CourtyardHIROO, Tokyo, Japan
*Performances on Nov 17.

Oct 11 – Oct 16, 2022
ATLAS 2022
Tokyo University of the Arts, Ibaraki, Japan
*Performances on all day.

-Performance/Workshop-
Traditional Uzbek “Palov” performance, served on hot sandwiches ATLAS 2022 / Tokyo University of the Arts (Ibaraki, Japan), 2022

HOT SANDWICH MAKERS CLUB – I’M FROM HUMAN – WORKSHOP Liverty-house (Nishi Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan), 2022

HOT SANDWICH MAKERS CLUB – I’M FROM HUMAN – WORKSHOP BAR Eden (Yokohama, Japan), 2022

HOT SANDWICH MAKERS CLUB – I’M FROM HUMAN – WORKSHOP A-TOM ART AWARD 2022 Vernacular and Dawn / CourtyardHIROO (Tokyo, Japan), 2022

HOT SANDWICH MAKERS CLUB – WE ARE FROM HUMAN – WORKSHOP Shizuoka, Yoshiwara, Japan Supported by Arts Council Shizuoka, Yoshiwara Central Culture Center, 2022