Good to See You
John Michael Kohler Arts Center
2026
Artists Ilana Harris-Babou and Yoshie Sakai reveal the ways humor and play can disrupt cultural assumptions about health and self-care. Through multimedia installations, video, ceramics, and found objects, the two artists examine how wellness has become a concept shaped by race, class, gender, and age.
Harris-Babou considers smart mirrors, which are devices that offer emotional and physical exercises and health-related guidance. The artist subverts this technology to reveal how individual data is used for profit rather than long-term health outcomes. A playful rendition of a wellness spa by Harris-Babou continues her inquiry into the inaccessible field of wellness. The installation features products like Cheeto-infused tinctures to satirize the industry of clean living and influencers who lead so-called healthy lifestyles.
Sakai's multimedia installation, Grandma Entertainment Franchise, emphasizes the importance of wellness and entertainment for an older population. A spa and an amusement park by the artist suggest alternative spaces for elders other than assumed locations, like the hospital or home. By creating spaces to honor and uplift this population, Sakai highlights the potential for support and care for seniors in the United States.
Together, the artists celebrate individuals’ ability to determine their own definition of personal health, access to healthcare, and awareness of consumer products that promote an idealized—and somewhat impossible—version of what is deemed healthy. Through their works, they critique societal standards around wellness and advocate for more inclusive, humane alternatives.
