In his photography Kenta Cobayashi captures mundane things that feature in his everyday life, such as Tokyo streetscapes, his close friends, and himself. After shooting he edits his images using Photoshop and presents them either as forms of photographic work or video images. His work embodying a wide-ranging artistic practice - in which the artist himself functions as a kind of medium - has begun receiving much attention. Works to date include the exhibition of life-size zine made in collaboration with the other artists and creators of the same generation, live performances and an installation featuring VR.
“Insectautomobile” is a new word coined by the artist. While exploring the process of image production, Cobayashi became interested in the grid structure that underpins image data. Through this he came to reflect on the fact that its separation system sets off a system of hierarchy and homogenization. Inspired by the way insects gather and share intelligence by creating a transportation-like networks, he compares human beings in society to “insectautomobiles.”
This exhibition features photo prints and video works from “#smudge,” a series of images processed and edited with Photoshop’s smudge tool, along with a new installation composed of ceramic square tiles arranged on the floor that connect with the human body and create a direct physical experience.
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