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Haroshi “Guzo”
Nanzuka Underground
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Artists
Haroshi
Solo exhibition of works by Tokyo-based Japanese artist, Haroshi. Haroshi is an artist who has engaged in creating unique sculpture and installation works with parts from used skateboard decks since 2003. He continues to receive much acclaim for his work, such as his collaboration with the street brand “Huf” led by renowned skater Keith Hafnagel, and has held exhibitions in New York, Los Angeles, and London. Through his receipt of the Battle at The Berrics trophy, he has also been recognized as one of the few artists to embody the depths of contemporary street culture.
The production of Haroshi’s work begins with the collection of worn-out decks (skateboards) that are usually discarded. He provides his network of friends and skateboard shops with originally designed T-shirts in exchange for their cooperation. Haroshi, who has been a skater himself since childhood, is very much aware of the extensive training that is needed in the process of mastering various skateboard techniques. Moreover, as a result of such experience he has developed attachments to his skateboard. The more seriously one devotes themselves to skateboarding, the more all of the boards parts become damaged and worn out, meaning they eventually break down. It is the worn out deck from his childhood that inspired his to turn to used decks as material to create work.
The sculpture works presented in the exhibition are created through the stacking and layering of used decks that together comprise a block from which forms are carved out. Haroshi’s works garner deep empathy from the those on the street culture scene internationally because they not only recycle materials, but demonstrate an act of salvation that is derived from a personal feeling of affection towards skateboarding.
Skateboards are said to have originated in California in the 1940s, when people skated on wooden boards with iron roller whets attached to the bottom. Today, the number of skateboarders throughout world is estimated to be around 20 to 30 million, and skateboarding has been selected as an official sport for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Haroshi’s solo exhibition is not a challenge against “fine art,” but rather is perhaps testimony to the fact that the ever-changing vanguard of art is venturing towards street culture, and to Haroshi’s creative practice.
The exhibition features a series of over 20 sculpture works created from salvaged skate decks, as well as a quarter-ramp installation also created from such used decks.
The production of Haroshi’s work begins with the collection of worn-out decks (skateboards) that are usually discarded. He provides his network of friends and skateboard shops with originally designed T-shirts in exchange for their cooperation. Haroshi, who has been a skater himself since childhood, is very much aware of the extensive training that is needed in the process of mastering various skateboard techniques. Moreover, as a result of such experience he has developed attachments to his skateboard. The more seriously one devotes themselves to skateboarding, the more all of the boards parts become damaged and worn out, meaning they eventually break down. It is the worn out deck from his childhood that inspired his to turn to used decks as material to create work.
The sculpture works presented in the exhibition are created through the stacking and layering of used decks that together comprise a block from which forms are carved out. Haroshi’s works garner deep empathy from the those on the street culture scene internationally because they not only recycle materials, but demonstrate an act of salvation that is derived from a personal feeling of affection towards skateboarding.
Skateboards are said to have originated in California in the 1940s, when people skated on wooden boards with iron roller whets attached to the bottom. Today, the number of skateboarders throughout world is estimated to be around 20 to 30 million, and skateboarding has been selected as an official sport for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Haroshi’s solo exhibition is not a challenge against “fine art,” but rather is perhaps testimony to the fact that the ever-changing vanguard of art is venturing towards street culture, and to Haroshi’s creative practice.
The exhibition features a series of over 20 sculpture works created from salvaged skate decks, as well as a quarter-ramp installation also created from such used decks.
Schedule | Apr 22 (Sat) 2017-Jun 10 (Sat) 2017 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Free | ||||
| Website | http://www.nug.jp/en/exhibition/2017haroshi.html | ||||
| Venue | Nanzuka Underground http://www.nug.jp | ||||
| Location | 3-30-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 | ||||
| Access | 8 minute walk from exit 5 at Meiji-jingumae Station on the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin lines, 10 minute walk from the Takeshita exit of Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote line. | ||||
| Phone | 03-5422-3877 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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