Exhibition/event has ended.
Keita Sagaki “Convertism”
CASHI
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Artists
Keita Sagaki
At first glance Keita Sagaki’s work looks like a painting or landscape everyone has seen somewhere, however, as you approach it you will understand how his work has been composed by a tremendous motif of a pure white canvas that has been drawn on with a thin tipped pen. It is a very detailed work that has come together line by line. The design is rather comical like manga, for example there are little characters and elements of gags inviting laughter. There is also a mixture of various grotesque sexual elements such as uteruses or fetuses. The canvas is filled with an incredible amount of information which can’t be quite captured by the naked eye.
By separating ourselves from what we can see, we get closer to observing the gap which enters our consciousness and leaves such a strong impact. It shakes our existing values— and yet at the same time we are reminded that the world we live in is constantly in an unstable flux.
The title of this exhibition is “Convertism,” a created phrase used by writers to mean how “mitate” can equate to a changing style. Mitate is a Japanese word referring to a technique well-known as a means of expression rooted in a variety of traditional Japanese cultural elements. For example, in regards to art it can mean embedding events, people, or ideas into images and thus creating a new meaning, which can often be a parody. It can be said that Japanese art made by this technique increases universality and uniqueness. Although Sagaki’s production process involves reconstructing existing paintings, the result becomes something essentially different. This work made with a motif incorporating ink painting and Ukiyo-e forms the focus of this exhibition, and it interlocks the production of the artist’s style with the tradition of Japanese art. In this way, it has become a structure for the transformation of the concepts of holiness and profanity.
The title of this exhibition is “Convertism,” a created phrase used by writers to mean how “mitate” can equate to a changing style. Mitate is a Japanese word referring to a technique well-known as a means of expression rooted in a variety of traditional Japanese cultural elements. For example, in regards to art it can mean embedding events, people, or ideas into images and thus creating a new meaning, which can often be a parody. It can be said that Japanese art made by this technique increases universality and uniqueness. Although Sagaki’s production process involves reconstructing existing paintings, the result becomes something essentially different. This work made with a motif incorporating ink painting and Ukiyo-e forms the focus of this exhibition, and it interlocks the production of the artist’s style with the tradition of Japanese art. In this way, it has become a structure for the transformation of the concepts of holiness and profanity.
Schedule | Sep 5 (Fri) 2014-Oct 26 (Sun) 2014 Opening Hours Information
Opening Reception Sep 5 (Fri) 2014 18:00 - 20:00 | ||||
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| Fee | Free | ||||
| Website | http://cashi.jp/lang/en/ | ||||
| Venue | CASHI http://cashi.jp/lang/en/ | ||||
| Location | 1F, 5-6-12 Asakusabashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0053 | ||||
| Access | 5 minute walk from the West exit of Asakusabashi Station on the JR Sobu line, 8 minute walk from exit A3 at Asakusabashi Station on the Toei Asakusa line, 9 minute walk from exit 1 at Akihabara Station on the Hibiya line. | ||||
| Phone | 03-5825-4703 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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