Through her meticulous practice of paper-cutting, Japanese artist Noriko Ambe holds a mirror up to the youth of today.

In a time when the ways of millennials are ceaselessly nitpicked over, the generation that succeeds them is generally kept out of the spotlight.

However, in a move as unconventional as her practice, New York-based artist Noriko Ambe has made these very fledglings the focus of her latest exhibition.

Presented at <a href="http://www.fondationdentreprisehermes.org/en/program/fondations-exhibitions" target="_blank">Aloft at Herm&egrave;s</a>, (Un)filtered Reflections is the fruit of a collaboration that blossomed between Ambe and the 15-year-old students of School of the Arts, Singapore (SOTA) and Furukawa Junior High School in Japan.

The thread that ties the two schools together are their respective countries&rsquo; education systems: both are competitive, highly demanding and situated in the epicentre of rapid technological advancement. &nbsp;

Aloft Hermes Noriko Ambe 2 - LOfficiel Singapore.jpg

For the project, Ambe played a role that was mostly mediative. The Japanese artist tasked her subjects to contemplate their relationship with the textbook &ndash; the quintessential symbol of education.

Ambe then interpreted their responses through the meticulous art of paper-cutting, a craft that she has honed since 1999. With a sharp blade and an eagle eye, Ambe transformed each textbook into a unique portrait of their owners. As per the students&rsquo; requests, the textbooks were burnt, shredded, soaked and cut &mdash; but the resulting paper sculptures are nothing short of stunning.

Aloft Hermes Noriko Ambe 4 - LOfficiel Singapore.jpg

&ldquo;It was fascinating to communicate with them and to try to understand the present situation in these countries. I wanted to connect with younger teens and their inner voices somehow.&rdquo; &mdash; Noriko Ambe

(Un)filtered Reflections serves as a testament to Ambe&rsquo;s mastery of her chosen medium, evident in every precise crease, fold and strip of paper. More importantly, the exhibition offers a rare glimpse at the emotional state of the youth, inviting visitors to ruminate over the path of future generations: What are they asking for? Where are they headed?

(Un)Euclidean by Noriko Ambe

(Un)Filtered Reflections 1 by Noriko Ambe

(Un)Filtered Reflections 2 by Noriko Ambe

Delia by Noriko Ambe

Hope by Noriko Ambe

Particles by Noriko Ambe

Tanka Literature by Noriko Ambe

(Un)filtered Reflections by Noriko Ambe will run until&nbsp;11 February 2018&nbsp;at Aloft at Herm&egrave;s, 541 Orchard Road, Liat Towers,10.30 am to 8 pm daily.&nbsp;Admission is free.

Aloft at Hermès Presents (Un)filtered Reflections by Noriko Ambe

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