Art Office Shiobara, Tomio Koyama Gallery, MAKI GALLERY, and rin art association are pleased to present “path-connected,” a group exhibition by Kishio Suga, Yoshio Shirakawa, Satoru Tamura, and Vik Muniz.
“Path-connected” is a mathematical term denoting that there exists a path connecting two given points in a non-empty topological space. This exhibition by four artists from various generations aims to chart different paths connected between them through their conceptual constructions and explorations of materials and media.
The work of Kishio Suga (1944-) has been informed by the notion “phase,” which refers to a particular aspect of a periodic cycle of phenomena. Wood or stone placed in a field inevitably develops a relationship with gravity, revealing the latent properties of “things” in themselves. Maebashi-based Yoshio Shirakawa (1948- ) also uses inexpensive and familiar materials but emphasizes the marginal nature of local history, culture and the role of art in a social context. While delving deeply into the relationship between the individual and society, his work poses critical questions that are often overlooked.
Satoru Tamura (1972-), on the other hand, focuses on “destruction or extinguish of the meaning” . His mechanical installations, filled with humor and familiarity, create a magnetic field while nurturing a relationship with the viewer Vik Muniz’s (1961-) Earthworks are monochrome photographs that resemble the lines and geoglyphs of Nazca. The finger-pointing mark, drawn so large with heavy machinery on the soil exposed by mineral mining that it is visible fron Google Earth, serves as an alarm about ampant development and the ever-increasing destruction of the environment.
This exhibition not only demonstrates the diversity of contemporary art and its unlimited possibilities, but also embodies how the unique perspectives and approaches of individual artists intersect to create a new dialogue. By tracing the “paths drawn by each artist, visitors will discover the dynamics and fascination surrounding concepts and materials.
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