Ichida constantly ponders her true sense of belonging. This series delves into the psychological effects of relocation and immigration she has encountered. Inspired by a Japanese keyboard shortcut, the title indirectly reflects her national background.
It starts with her family’s move when she entered elementary school. Relocating to Niigata Prefecture, more than 1,000 km away from her hometown, was a significant adjustment. Her strong Kyushu dialect further emphasized her outsider status. These experiences, combined with earlier moves, led to a deep-seated feeling of disconnection from any one place.
A few years ago, through a DNA test, she discovered a small percentage of her ancestral background is British, a surprising revelation that inadvertently brought her to the very country where her mysterious great-great-grandfather hailed from. In this serendipitous connection, she draws parallels between his experience as an alien in a foreign land and her own journey as an immigrant in the UK.
The series encompasses various subjects, from architectural elements to family photos, using geometric forms to highlight the sense of displacement.
With Ctrl Shift + J, Ichida aims to prompt viewers to reflect on their own experiences of displacement and belonging.