Event period: 2024 November 5th (Tue) - November 10th (Sun)
Location: Nine Gallery (Gaienmae)
This is my fourth solo exhibition at Nine Gallery, having moved from Bunkamura in Shibuya. I was bothered by the construction work in front of my gallery the last time. This time, although it was on a smaller scale, I was bothered by the noise and smell of cigarettes, which I would like to keep as a memorandum.
I put silver rings I made over 20 years ago in a small book. I recently found some old pieces while cleaning my studio, polished them up, repriced them, and exhibited them for sale. Archives can never be made again, and they are important pieces that helped me grow, so I really wanted people to see them.
This time, the space between each work has been increased to about 20cm. It's a lot wider than the 10cm space two years ago. The advantage is that you can look at each work at your leisure. I like the old way of displaying a lot of them in a slightly cramped space.
I have also received requests to purchase the flowers I made from glass powder. The fact that I use commercially available silicon molds in the process of making them makes me hesitant to sell them. However, after using the molds, there are processes of firing them in an electric furnace, drilling holes, and gluing wire, so you could say they are almost entirely handmade, but perhaps it is my own modest aesthetic that keeps me from selling them.
Many people came to see the exhibition this time as well. There seemed to be more first-time visitors and those who had not been for several years than usual. On the other hand, many of the regular visitors did not come this time.
Since it's only six days, there may be cases where people can't make it, but for me, those six days are the culmination of six months, and I put my all into those six days.
I was reminded that I need to be conscious of holding solo exhibitions that have a stronger appeal, that make people think, "I want to go to my solo exhibition even if it's a bit of a stretch!"
And when I was exhibiting my archive (past) works, the first thing that came to mind was the presence of all the people who have accepted my works up until now. Thanks to everyone's support, I have been able to work as an artist for about 25 years. It is impossible to get everyone who has bought my works to come to the exhibition, but I have to pursue that ideal.
In order to continue our activities for the next 10 or 20 years, I believe that the "present" and "past" are just as important as the "future."
Well, I've been talking about random ideals. I will have another solo exhibition in the same place in June next year. I will prepare with determination. See you again.