Nanzuka Underground is pleased to announce the solo exhibition of Akiyoshi Mishima. This is the third exhibition for him at the gallery, and it is comprised of video installations, paintings and mixed media sculptures.
This exhibition is a continuation of his solo debut exhibition, "Quarter," in 2006. In "Quarter," Mishima expressed the responsibilities and possibilities that people in his generation were born with, by analyzing the cultural roots of three generations of families living in postwar Japan. He categorized the three generations as follows: "The First Generation (grandfather and grandmother) Collision," "Second Generation (father and mother) Rule and Conflict," and "Third Generation (myself) Acceptance and Fusion."
In this exhibition, Mishima focuses on the fundamental relation that connects all human beings and living organisms. As the exhibition title "Family" implies, he addresses the possibility of peaceful coexistence.
Mishima describes his "mask work" that he made for this exhibition as follows: "Originally, a mask has been used in order to acquire special power by wearing it. It was told in man's history that it is the most fearful when the true character is revealed. However, that's probably not the true nature of human beings, but possibly a virtual image that arises by wearing a vicious-looking mask. My mask is a portrait of all things in nature, and it has the power to prevent man's malignancy."
Mishima's creations conjures up images of animals like monkeys, birds and reptiles. These hybrid "portraits" represent his worldview that sums up man's past, present, and future.
This is the first exhibition to be held at Nanzuka Underground's new space in the Shirogane Gallery Complex.
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.
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