Exhibition/event has ended.
[Image: Kenny Scharf REDDY GUY 1986 / 2021 Cast Aluminum Painted H122 x W81.7 x D18.9 cm]

Kenny Scharf "I’m Baaack"

Sogetsu Kaikan
Finished

Artists

Kenny Scharf
Nanzuka is pleased to present “I’m Baaack,” a solo exhibition by American artist Kenny Scharf.
This exhibition marks Scharf’s first solo exhibition of new works in 30 years with his primary gallery in Japan and will be presented across two venues at Nanzuka Underground (Jingumae, Shibuya) and Sogetsu Plaza, Sogetsu Kaikan (Akasaka, Minato). In addition to an installation of a series of new three-dimensional sculptures in Isamu Noguchi’s Stone Garden, the exhibition at Sogetsu Kaikan will present for the first time in 38 years Scharf’s “Yumeno Kuruma (Dream Car),” a Cadillac painted and modified by the artist himself in 1985 during the "Art in Action" exhibition hosted by Sogetsu Kaikan.

Scharf’s works are, above all, characterized by their vibrant use of colors and distinct characters.
Scharf, who proclaims himself a fan of “The Flintstones” and “The Jetsons,” had gained inspiration for his own characters while drawing reference to those featured in such animated sitcoms. The artist describes his characters which at once appear like alien creatures, giant microorganisms, and plant monsters, as metaphors for himself and his friends, representing natural emotions such as anger, joy, sleepiness, and hunger. He also describes the various colors as representing all manners of emotion. The movement and sense of speed in Scharf’s work directly bear the most important context of life itself.

The new works that Scharf painted for this exhibition feature an array of richly expressive characters that appear to freely shape-shift while dynamically flying or moving around. In both good and bad ways, they remind us of the free-spirited nature of human beings. Upon closer observation, viewers notice that various words and phrases such as “global warming,” “unforeseeable outcome,” “accuser,” and “medical system development,” written in Japanese, are dispersed throughout. For this solo exhibition in Japan, Scharf collected Japanese newspapers and embedded his works with keywords related to themes that we are currently confronted with. All kinds of social issues lie within the backdrop of Scharf’s artistic activities, as someone who had lost many friends to drugs and AIDS during his youth.

The exhibition also features an installation that will be presented in Japan for the first time. In 1981, Scharf presented "Cosmic Cavern," an installation using found objects such as worn-out toys, home appliances, and black light. This work, which converts the entire space into vivid neon colors and provides an immersive viewing experience, continues to evolve as a series that is symbolic of Scharf’s art.

Scharf will visit Japan for the first time in 30 years in correspondence to the exhibition. An opening reception will be held by invitation on Friday, June 9th, at the two venues of Sogetsu Kaikan and Nanzuka Underground. Furthermore, a talk event with Kenny Scharf and Kiri Teshigahara (Sogetsu Art Project Director & Executive Director of Sogetsu North America) is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 10th.

Schedule

Jun 10 (Sat) 2023-Jun 30 (Fri) 2023 

Opening Hours Information

Hours
11:00-16:00
Open 11:00-17:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Closed
Monday, Sunday
FeeFree
Websitehttps://nanzuka.com/en/exhibitions/kenny-scharf-i-m-baaack/press-release
VenueSogetsu Kaikan
http://www.sogetsu.or.jp/english/index.html
Location7-2-21 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8505
Access5 minute walk from Aoyama-itchome Station on the Ginza and Hanzomon lines or Toei Oedo line.
Phone03-3408-1129
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