With my body and soul I am seeking for a soul mate. Mizuma Art Gallery is delighted to announce the exhibition "Seeking for a soul mate" by Emi Ikematsu who is currently active under the name of "Shinsannameko", from 20 August to 20 September 2003. Ikematsu uses two different names her real name "Emi Ikematsu" and her pen name "Shinsannameko" and is currently working in many different fields as a media activist making manga, illustration and novel. From pornography to occult, entertainment to trend, various information, which is overflowing in our daily lives are expressed in her characteristic expression style. Lately her diverse activities and unique style of expression is receiving great attention in many different medias. Also, Ikematsu who has been creating objects aside from manga and novels will seriously create and exhibit works under the theme of "soul mate." In the past, Ikematsu has been showing works based on a subject of friend making, such as "Classmate Karuta" a Japanese playing card. This theme deepens even more in this exhibition. What is the meaning of "soul mate = destine person" for Ikemats.... Man of today is put at a turning point Whether to choose friendship or work... I chose work over friendship And now live in a chocking solitude. If it is still not too late From my body and soul I would like to gain back my friends If it is still possible, I would like to strengthen the relationship to a soul mate I have decided to express this trail and error in my work. By Emi Ikematsu In proportion to the continuously overflowing numbers of working woman, as they get older this feeling of solitude attacks them. When they become tired from working too hard they look around and realize that the only relationships around them are new ones made through work. All the girlfriends they can hang out with have become distant. Not only that but "women friendship" can be obstructed by "men" or " work", or can easily be broken by small incidents. The quite delicate "girl friendship." In this exhibition Ikematsu expresses "pressing feelings held by women in present day society (including herself)", through her original point of view. In this exhibition it is planed to show numerous new works such as a machine that " makes friends that you can speak frankly, a photographic work "to create a strong relationship by accepting each other's difference", a Buddhist alter " to communicate to a friend after her death", a three-dimensional work, which rings an alarm to "a presence of a men who hinders women's friendship." Also "Classmates Karuta" that confirms the names of your classmates before going to the reunion. "It might be easier to live if such things really existed." Ikematsu who has been creating inventive works will produce these series of work for herself and for "someone." Is it possible to hold hopes and believe in "a strong and long lasting women friendship" through her work or will you think that "a soul mate" is a mere illusion? We hope you will enjoy the ever so incomprehensible "women friendship" and " the world of Ikematsu."