Returning home from a gallery exhibition I entered the constantly moving arteries of Nagoya City which shuffle people and goods here and there with all the compassion of a well oiled cold machine. This is just one of the human transporters gliding down metal rails on a single spot of the globe among many large cities that specialize in human logistics. One may get a sense of helplessness and lose a sense of purpose in this situation. I can not say that line of reasoning is completely wrong but I do consider an alternative.

Carl Sagan said that we are all made of stardust. Pondering this simple but sublime statement one realizes that the machine is far more vast than any mechanical subway system in Japan. As I coasted home on my bicycle from the station I looked up at what stars I could see through the glow of humanity. A smile came across my face with thoughts of others looking back. This same sentiment has been said many times but is worthy of repeating. There is no purpose, but we might as well make the best of it. Take the motto of Tokyu Hands, an upscale hardware store in Japan, which claims to be a “creative life store.” Go create.