Exhibition/event has ended.
Koji Kato “Real Imaginary Travelogue”
Ai Koko Gallery
FinishedReservation Required
SHARE
Artists
Koji Kato
*Please visit the official website for reservations and more information.
Ai Koko Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Koji Kato, an emerging artist born in 1994. In recent years, Kato has been working in various Asian countries, producing works using various media such as video, sculpture, and painting by using in-depth research and collaboration. In this exhibition, Kato will present a series of works that were inspired by a visit to the Edo-Tokyo Museum near the gallery, where he learned about Arnoldus Montanus's "The Journal of Japan" (1669).
In the 17th century, publications describing the culture and customs of unknown countries were popular in Europe, and "Japan Magazine," with its nearly 100 illustrations visually describing the scenery of Japan, which was under national seclusion at the time, was especially attractive to many people. The author, Montanus, was a Dutch pastor, schoolteacher, and professional writer with multiple titles. In writing this book, he referred to fragmentary materials such as reports and records of envoys sent to Japan, and wrote a history of Japan with his imagination, without ever visiting Japan. This story, heavily processed by fiction, spread widely in European countries as if it were fake news.
In today's society, tools such as VR and AR that mix the imaginary and the real are becoming more and more popular, and we are developing a sensibility to imagine and appreciate them based on the premise of coexistence, rather than dividing them. In the realm of information media as well, the dynamism of capitalism has spurred a way of reception that does not depend on reality, emphasizing whether something is interesting rather than whether it is true.
Kato will focus on the ethical issues that arise in the representation of others, overlapping 17th century Europe, where false stories were once popular, with today's fantasy-filled society.
In a society where fantasy overshadows reality, what is the responsibility of imagining the world? In this exhibition, the artist dives into the landscape that Montanus would have drawn in his mind, interacts with characters created by his delusion and desire, and recreates the mapped worldview in a new 3D animated film. We look forward to seeing you at the exhibition.
Ai Koko Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Koji Kato, an emerging artist born in 1994. In recent years, Kato has been working in various Asian countries, producing works using various media such as video, sculpture, and painting by using in-depth research and collaboration. In this exhibition, Kato will present a series of works that were inspired by a visit to the Edo-Tokyo Museum near the gallery, where he learned about Arnoldus Montanus's "The Journal of Japan" (1669).
In the 17th century, publications describing the culture and customs of unknown countries were popular in Europe, and "Japan Magazine," with its nearly 100 illustrations visually describing the scenery of Japan, which was under national seclusion at the time, was especially attractive to many people. The author, Montanus, was a Dutch pastor, schoolteacher, and professional writer with multiple titles. In writing this book, he referred to fragmentary materials such as reports and records of envoys sent to Japan, and wrote a history of Japan with his imagination, without ever visiting Japan. This story, heavily processed by fiction, spread widely in European countries as if it were fake news.
In today's society, tools such as VR and AR that mix the imaginary and the real are becoming more and more popular, and we are developing a sensibility to imagine and appreciate them based on the premise of coexistence, rather than dividing them. In the realm of information media as well, the dynamism of capitalism has spurred a way of reception that does not depend on reality, emphasizing whether something is interesting rather than whether it is true.
Kato will focus on the ethical issues that arise in the representation of others, overlapping 17th century Europe, where false stories were once popular, with today's fantasy-filled society.
In a society where fantasy overshadows reality, what is the responsibility of imagining the world? In this exhibition, the artist dives into the landscape that Montanus would have drawn in his mind, interacts with characters created by his delusion and desire, and recreates the mapped worldview in a new 3D animated film. We look forward to seeing you at the exhibition.
Schedule | Feb 23 (Wed) 2022-Mar 19 (Sat) 2022 Reservation RequiredOpening Hours Information
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Free | ||||
| Venue | Ai Koko Gallery https://aikokogallery.com/  | ||||
| Location | Room#601 Dai-ni-todoroki Bldg., 1-19-12 Ryusen, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0012 | ||||
| Access | 7 minute walk from exit 3 at Iriya Station on the Hibiya line, 20 minute walk from the South exit of Uguisudani Station on the Yamanote and Keihin Tohoku lines. | ||||
| Phone | 050-5806-5596 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
Back to Articles
SHARE
No comments yet