Event period: 2022 December 2nd (Fri) - 12/8 (Thu)
Location: Bunkamura Box Gallery, Shibuya
Shibuya Bunkamura, except for Orchard Hall, will be closed from April 10, 2023 until the end of fiscal 2027 (date to be determined).
About 15 years ago, when I was just starting out as a glass artist, I participated in a craft market with several dozen people and that was my first encounter with Bunkamura. I think my first stall was just one box-shaped display unit. As sales started to improve, the number of units increased to two, then four, and I was finally able to run one shelf, and I managed to get the staff to lend me the Box Gallery. My first solo exhibition at Box Gallery was in 2013. Since then, I have held solo exhibitions twice a year, totaling about 20 times.
In 2013, I heard that not many people held solo exhibitions twice a year at Box Gallery. Nevertheless, I was allowed to do so on the condition that I change the theme for summer and winter and work hard on the display. Although the pressure on myself was strong, I was able to create a memorable exhibition by making my own display items and elaborately arranging the layout.
I was able to hold a solo exhibition in a prime location in Shibuya. I felt the need to show my customers the value of that. And that was to make my customers fans of Bunkamura Shibuya. To get them to visit other places besides my own exhibition, and to recognize what a wonderful place it is. My influence was small, but many customers became fans of Bunkamura.
I always think about the compensation I get for being allowed to work at that place, because it's a mutually beneficial, wonderful relationship.
The theme of this exhibition is "light."
This will be my last solo exhibition at Bunkamura, so I chose the theme of "light" to illuminate my future . I also chose the theme of "light" to wish a glorious future to Bunkamura Gallery (which will move to Creative Space 8/(hachi) in Shibuya Hikarie) , where I will continue to be active.
The main work is "MOON."
The moon's phases represent "growth." I prepared many moon-themed works for this exhibition in hopes of my/Bunkamura's future growth. Moonlight was an important "light" for people in the past, when there was no electricity. It was an important presence, illuminating the ground and bringing light into the home.
"AURORA" means dawn in Latin. As a result, it symbolizes a new start. For me and Bunkamura, this is a new start. Hoping for a courageous new start, I have prepared several Aurora artworks.
"BLESSING" and "LEGACY" are works I created with the hope that they would add color to this exhibition. I believe there are several turning points in life. It is up to us to make them meaningful. I never wanted to make them negative, but rather very positive, so I prepared a number of works with double meanings and scattered them around the venue. I didn't explain this to the customers or the Bunkamura staff, but it was a silent encouragement from me that added color to this solo exhibition.
Artists/writers will show off and sell their work at that place. If necessary, they will pay a sales fee to the facility and a facility usage fee. Just because you paid the money doesn't mean you can use it however you like. The place has a history, and it contains traces of various artists/writers and the joy of customers. And your work exists as one point in that history/trend. For me, my work is an absolute necessity, but I must never become arrogant and place myself in that flow.
There is an important expression for artists: "God is in the details." It is often taken as an expression that expresses the degree of completion of the work, but I think it is an expression that is related to everything, such as how to display, how to present (wrap), theme, display method, etc. I will continue to create works carefully and strive to present them in a way that makes people happy. When God dwells in the end and produces smiles on the customers' faces, the work, the materials, the place, and the history are all sublimated.
I plan to hold another solo exhibition somewhere in Tokyo next summer, although the location will change. I want to continue to face my work in my own way, without losing sight of what's important.