Event period: September 24th (Wed) - September 29th (Mon) 2025
Location: Art Gallery Kitano 1F
Unfortunately, my Kyoto solo exhibition in the spring of 2025 coincided with the cherry blossom season. One might think, "We're lucky there are so many people," but people go to the suburbs to see the cherry blossoms during the day, and at night, there are many people in the city, but they have no time for art. Learning from this experience, the theme of this exhibition was how to attract the interest of passersby passing by the gallery. The biggest changes from my usual solo exhibitions are the horizontal tapestry in the main window and the gift of a glass ball as a souvenir to visitors.
Above the main window is a long, eye-catching tapestry. We also displayed the main artwork used in this DM. It is visible from a distance, so it was quite effective. We had a few customers say, "I saw the window and was interested, so I came in." In order to attract new customers, we need to increase the chance of them coming.
Large books are casually stacked at the bottom of the window, creating a slightly out-of-place feeling. Located along a busy street in Kyoto's Sanjo Kawaramachi area, an ordinary display would be lost in the information overload of the streetscape. On the other hand, anything too eccentric would destroy the refined and beautiful worldview of the glass. We will continue to pursue displays that amplify the just right amount of out-of-place feeling and worldview.
The main window facing the street is a little messy, but once inside you'll see neatly arranged book-shaped frames, with glass artworks each with their own story making a bold statement.
Glass beads were brought in as a first attempt for this exhibition. The fragments that are produced during the production process would simply end up as glass waste if left as they are, but by re-firing them beautifully, they have been given a new purpose that will delight everyone. Many foreigners who passed by also took some home with them. I'm sure they have traveled to many different countries. Looking into them may connect you to that country.
I have put together a file of the direct mail (DMs) (information postcards) that I have produced and mailed up until now, from 2007 to the present. People who have been coming to my solo exhibitions for a long time have been nostalgic, and people who have only recently discovered my work were surprised to see my old works.
At the back of the venue is an archived works zone. Because they are glass works, they will not deteriorate, but my works are only completed when they are delivered to the customer, so I wanted to complete as many pieces as possible, so I set the prices at an affordable level.
Up until now, I have always produced and mailed direct mail (information postcards), but due to various circumstances, such as an increase in postal rates, I will be taking a break from mailing them for a while. I will continue to have them available at the venue as visual cards (free of charge), so if you are interested, please come and see my solo exhibition.
I don't know what the situation is like around the world, but I feel like there's a climate in Japan where people are struggling to make ends meet and there's no time for art. Social media is also emotionally draining, and we're seeing a lot of heartbreaking situations these days, with people mocking others. I'd be happy if my exhibitions and works could bring even a little courage and healing to everyone.
My next solo exhibition in Kyoto will be in early March next year. I will continue to hone my worldview. See you again.
