Haruko Yamada “Tap-tap Hammer Heart Goes Pit-a-Pat”

Chofu City Cultural Center

Finished

Artists

Haruko Yamada

Chofu City artist Haruko Yamada explores an interest in the “the mechanisms of the body” in her sculptures made of materials as diverse as metal, wood, and marble. The “tankin” metal hammering process of repeatedly heating, pounding, and shaping a copper plate requires impressive amounts of energy and endurance. As a student Yamada found herself unable to complete works to her satisfaction when her energy failed her. However, once she shifted focus to allowing viewers vicarious encounters with her own experiences, she was able to finish her projects and began to see the body as “a fluid-filled vessel made up of organs and bones.” Tankin hammering started has a way of making containers, and Yamada realized that these creations are similar to the human body. She now makes artworks people can see, touch, and enjoy as expressions of her fascination with the human form.

Living in the crop field-surrounded Chofu area has inspired Yamada to combine motifs of the body with vegetables and other agricultural items in her work. In addition to new hands-on sculptures, this exhibition exploring the theme “The Body From the Outside In” features works resembling organs and other body parts. Also on display are some of Yamada’s materials and tools, as well as photographs, books, and illustrated references she has used for her art, and a recreation of her studio.

[Events]
Gallery Talks
Dates: Sep. 8 (Sat) 14:00, Sep. 22 (Sat) 11:00, Oct. 6 (Sat) 11:00

Workshop “Tankin Metal Hammering”
Date: Oct. 6 (Sat) 13:00–15:00
Cost: 700 yen for materials
RSVP: Sep. 18 (Tues)
All events in Japanese. Please see the official website for reservations and other details.

Schedule

Sep 8 (Sat) 2018-Oct 21 (Sun) 2018