On 13 October 2025, shakuhachi master Rodrigo Rodríguez performed live on the shakuhachi at the White Cube Gallery in Bermondsey, London, as part of an exhibition by the renowned contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang. The inclusion of Rodríguez's music in this event reflected the artist's appreciation for his work, integrating the sound of the shakuhachi into the overall experience of the exhibition.
Rodrigo Rodríguez is a Spanish-born shakuhachi performer and composer, and a pupil of the master Kohachiro Miyata. He has built an international career performing traditional and contemporary music for the shakuhachi, collaborating with musicians across multiple genres and participating in cross-disciplinary artistic projects.
During the performance, the distinctive timbre and articulation of the traditional Japanese instrument interacted with the visual installations, creating a dialogue between music and the exhibited artworks. The musical program was conceived as an integral component of the exhibition, allowing visitors to experience a multisensory interaction that connected sound and space.
The inclusion of Rodríguez's performance highlights the relevance of the shakuhachi not only as a traditional musical heritage but also as an expressive medium within contemporary artistic contexts, demonstrating the versatility of traditional instruments in cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Rodrigo Rodríguez Official Website
@rodrigoshakuhachi on Instagram
Rodrigo Rodríguez on YouTube
