Glenn Kaino

Glenn Kaino is an artist whose work invites audiences to observe and foster meaningful connections. Through his immersive art, he weaves together themes of activism, memory, and human connection, creating powerful experiences that resonate with viewers. Kaino's expansive multidisciplinary practice has garnered international recognition, as he employs a range of media, including sculpture, installation, performance, public art, and film. His work aims to integrate diverse systems of knowledge and forms of production that typically remain apart, emphasising the importance of collaboration and shared narratives.

When We Reflect, draws inspiration from the intricate nets crafted by Japanese American citizens while imprisoned during World War II. These burlap structures were made under coercion at the Santa Anita Assembly Centre and Manzanar War Relocation Centre, primarily for the U.S. Army's camouflage needs. Despite being low-paid labour framed as a demonstration of loyalty, the creation of these nets resulted in over 22,000 crafted at Santa Anita and approximately 6,000 per month at Manzanar, highlighting a troubling historical narrative.

The artwork itself measures approximately 40 feet wide, 30 feet long, and 15 feet high, featuring a woven ribbon structure made from high-mirror-polished aluminium composite. This reflective design not only serves as a visual spectacle but also encourages viewers to see themselves within the work, prompting them to engage deeply with its layered story. Weighing 1,700 pounds and supported by a structure that weighs 2,165 pounds, the artwork invites interaction as people move beneath it.

We worked with Kaino and the Hollywood Burbank Airport, to fabricate 48 custom-welded grids, which formed 12 monumental 10’ x 10’ art modules. Each module, layered with reflective aluminium composite, echoes the rhythm of the ribbon textile pattern and is suspended on four cables, strategically angled to enhance the viewer's reflection in the artwork and solidify the experience of connection and reflection within this compelling piece.