The Heart Beat 1975

Directed by Norio Imai

A piece of white paper with “IMAI” typed on its surface is placed on top of a paper cone speaker, which emits the recorded sound of Imai’s heartbeat. As the iron coil fixed to the inner part of the speaker vibrates back and forth, the piece of white paper flips up and down, as if it has a life of its own. This work demonstrates Imai’s desire to visualize the sound created by an inner organ that one is usually not conscious of hearing.