Posted:Jun 10, 2010

Empty Looking: Spontaneous Reflecting on One’s Thoughts

An interview with Noriyuki Haraguchi.

Noriyuki Haraguchi is known for his large sculptural works that tackle the complex issues of industrialism and militarism in his 40+ year career. Despite this his refined approach is far broader than these symbolic works. In fact he has continuously expressed more contemplative thoughts on paper, and he is currently displaying these subtle works in an exhibition at Miyake Fine Arts.

I travelled to Miura peninsula for this interview with Haraguchi and ended up with an unforgettable experience. After departing from the crowds in Enoshima we ended up in the quiet but refined town of Zushi. After hours of animated conversation in a local izakaya, the trip ended the next morning with an excursion to Haraguchi’s hometown. As I inhaled the ocean’s stale air and absorbed the paradoxes of Yokosuka I glimpsed at the source for Haraguchi’s unforgiving intensity.

Noriyuki Haraguchi, 'Untitled' (2009) Acrylic paints, washi, pencil
Noriyuki Haraguchi, 'Untitled' (2009) Acrylic paints, washi, pencil
Courtesy of Miyake Fine Art
In the German catalog raisonné of your work from 2001 your work ‘Oil Pool’ was compared to a Zen rock garden. What do you think of the relationship between your works and things Japan-esque?

I’m not a big fan of traditional things. Naturally, I go to Kyoto and Nara but I don’t exactly love those places. For example I really hate going to hot springs, watching maple leaves in the autumn, observing cherry blossoms and those kinds of things.

I don’t like what people ordinarily think of as beautiful. Actually I think what is considered nothing has beauty. It’s not about conscious viewing, but rather blank viewing, I like empty looking.

Going out with a camera, to catch a picture of the setting sunlight…it’s not about that. There are old guys who get up in the morning and set their tripods. They aim for the shutter chance, but I think that type of activity is nonsense. They don’t understand beauty. Beauty is simply doing nothing but looking.

It could be too beautiful…in the most ordinary sense of the word “beauty.”

I theoretically dislike that way of thinking about beauty. For example, a teacup that is considered to be a masterpiece, or a National Treasure, I really hate those. Everyone says, “This is amazing because it’s a National Treasure!” “Oh, this is beautiful isn’t it…” – unfortunately seeing it that way. I don’t like the self that sees it that way. That’s why nothing at all is the most beautiful thing.

The things nobody focuses on I call, “Something that is nothing.” Things like a rusting iron pole falling down at a construction site. I like finding things like that.

Noriyuki Haraguchi, 'Oil Pool', installing the work exhibited in Europe.
Noriyuki Haraguchi, 'Oil Pool', installing the work exhibited in Europe.
Courtesy of BankArt Studio NYK
In 1987 you stated, “Even though I sometimes use materials such as wood and stone, I never really liked things that were seemingly natural materials.” How does this relate to your current line of thinking?

I used a lot of industrial goods, but never really used natural wood, natural stone and those sorts of things, but rather I use industrial materials like iron and oil.

What is it you are able to express with artificial materials?

Hmm, that’s difficult to say.

It’s quite different from Minimal Art, isn’t it?

Of course to some degree it’s not just something visual, it includes performance, and it is composed of bodily actions. By means of these bodily actions its not just about placing work, starting something up, that sort of action, one part of the body, such as society, industrial materials and manufacturing.

Changing the topic, what about your upcoming exhibition plans?

Miyake Fine Art in Kiyosumi will have my solo show from May 8.

Which works will you present?

They are all flat works on paper. They are similar to the lead works I presented at BankART last year.

From what sensibility did you produce those works on paper?

It’s a very abstract answer, but I have the feeling like I’m implementing spontaneous thoughts.

Is the way you express yourself on paper more personal than the way you do with iron?

In the case of objects such as 3D things, preparation is very important. It takes three months, half a year, even a whole year. Because of that, completing them uses up lots of energy. On the other hand, 2D works take less energy and are done quickly.

Noriyuki Haraguchi, 'Oil Pool', as exhibited at BankArt Studio NYK..
Noriyuki Haraguchi, 'Oil Pool', as exhibited at BankArt Studio NYK..
Courtesy of BankArt Studio NYK

Simplicity?

Yes, simplicity. For example a single pencil line, drawn hard, matches the pattern of one’s thoughts. The viewer may say, “What is this? Is this just a single pencil line, drawn just like this?” But inside oneself it is an extremely complex world, entering that place of complete abstraction. It is very efficient, rational, and yet impromptu. In three parts, or five parts it becomes complete. As many months pass suddenly, “I’ve done this amazing work!”

Noriyuki Haraguchi, 'Untitled' (2009) Paper, Acrylic paint, washi, pencil
Noriyuki Haraguchi, 'Untitled' (2009) Paper, Acrylic paint, washi, pencil
Courtesy of Miyake Fine Art
When and how did you begin making the flattened lead works? And do you think these works express a similar sensibility to the works on paper?

I was an oil painting major in university, a western painting major. Thus I began from painting and then in the second year of study I gradually became 3D, then installation. Then design, also drawing and works on paper, collage. I could say I really enjoyed them, I mean I was good at those things.

So from the start until now you have continued with them?

I didn’t come from a sculptural background. I never sculpted a stone, never carved wood never made clay statues, and never made any engravings. Therefore I have a painterly approach.

Combining the geometry of the canvas with the lead?

That kind of space, painterly space such as real things in three-dimensional space, it’s just not there. They are intuitive images.

I became very intrigued by those works in your exhibition at BankArt last year. I looked at the combinations of canvas and lead and just stared blankly. I had the feeling of forgetting about time.

I’m glad to hear that.

Of course your flat works are not so often put into print and are less well known than your sculptural ones.

Yeah that’s true. Other works are more famous, but in reality I’m just making those works on paper at home all the time. Those are really my creative thoughts, the most fundamental parts. I guess those kind of actions are just a sort of training.

Translated by James Jack. Transcription assistance kindly provided by Saka Matsushita.

The Noriyuki Haraguchi exhibition is showing at Miyake Fine Art until June 12.

James Jack

James Jack

Grown in the rocky soil of New York City James Jack was transplanted to Tokyo via a Hawaiian orchid. He is currently a Crown Prince Akihito Scholar at Tokyo University of the Arts researching contemporary art. Jack comes to writing as an artist who regularly shows drawings, photo-based work and installations. His work has appeared in magazines such as Asian Art News, NY Arts, Kyoto Journal: Perspectives on Asia, and M: The New York Art World. <a href="http://www.jamesjack.org">www.jamesjack.org</a>