Event period: 2021/7/1 (Thu) - 7/7 (Wed)
Location: Bunkamura Box Gallery, Shibuya
My solo exhibition at Bunkamura, Shibuya in summer 2021 has ended.
The theme of this exhibition is " ETERNITY . " We have expressed in glass the image of animals continuing life in a pure way, and the strength and beauty of nature that will continue on into the future.
When I see and hear the recent news about the COVID-19 pandemic and the Olympics, I often find myself feeling irritated and unable to remain calm over small things. Looking at it from a short-term perspective, the past year and a half has been painful and immobile, like struggling in the mud. Looking at it in the long-term, there may come a time when it feels like a condensed, short period of time when "that was a tough time." In any case, I look ahead and think that the important thing is to entrust my body and mind to sparkling, beautiful things. This was the thought that I used for this solo exhibition.
I make books from scratch (binding them), carve out the cover, burn them and stain them. It requires a different technique and mental switch than making glass works, but it is essential for creating the atmosphere of a solo exhibition (it actually takes a lot of time). I am very happy that more and more people are interested in purchasing these book-shaped frames. There are still many book-shaped displays I want to make, so I hope to realize them one by one.
I'm not usually that picky, but when it comes to exhibition venues, artworks, and packaging, it's a different story and I want to be as picky as possible. I'm sometimes asked why I went to such lengths, but even if I asked a specialty store to do it, other artists could use the same kind of packaging and display items unless I signed a license agreement. Just like creating a piece of work by yourself using original techniques, it's better to have a unique presentation to enhance the work and make it more persuasive.
This solo exhibition was also viewed by many visitors. I received some slightly awkward compliments such as "This is the first time I've seen art like this" and "I was moved." My goal is to create better works for everyone. I would like to continue to create "delightful works" that resonate with people's hearts, without being too intoxicated with techniques and expressions, and without being too focused on self-expression.