HORI Kosai Exhibition "Touching so close and having an openness"（TOKYO）

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We accept admission with a reservation, and limiting maximum capacity in the gallery space by 12 people per 1 hour during the exhibition.

You may enter without a reservation, however we will prioritize those who have reserved the space.

Please kindly make an appointment through the online website or email below before your visit.

 

https://airrsv.net/mizumaartgallery/calendar [Japanese only]

event@mizuma-art.co.jp

 

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During the ongoing days of the coronavirus pandemic, where plenty of time was spent self-restraining and self-questioning, I began to carefully look over my possessions in the studio and in the storage while being conscious of the limited time left in me. The abundance of “things” that lay before me; I wandered if the end of these “things” which include my treasured artworks as well as my lesser works would all end up discarded as useless objects that defy against the capitalistic system of “mass production.”

 

However, as I spent time face to face with some of my possessions, what occurred to me was that they have transcended beyond materiality of “things” that are “manufactured,” and achieved “memories” of “time” from the tremendous amount of “lines” I have carved into them. For example, when I was reviewing a series of over 300 drawings that were created with these words in mind:

 

“The lines of the drawing are memories of the body. These lines; memories are more segmented. Like a myriad of scars in my memory, the scars are etched as lines…the world overall has already been erased. We live within that renunciation. But we cannot give up our desire for the world. The desire for the overall, which cannot be seen at once, is therefore infinitely segmented. Segmentation is a testament to our desire for the world and for the paintings.” (From the 2005 solo exhibition statement)

 

The “tactile sensation” that are left deep from the engraved (drawn) “lines” that are also “scars” have been revived. Yes, I came from here, and am still here.

 

The period of self-restraint was also an opportunity for such self-confirmation. Now that we are at a point of crucial division, using the certainty of “tactile sensation” as a clue, while “touching” the “lines,” we head for the space where the “lines” are once again “connected” beyond the segmentation.

 

HORI Kosai

 

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HORI Kosai has been an artist for more than half a century. The works by Hori uses a variety of materials such as ink, natural pigment paints, crayons and acrylics on canvas and Washi paper, and although the theme, composition, and coloration of his works have changed throughout the period, the boldness and elegance of the “lines” in his drawings remain to transcend the genres of Japanese-style and western-style paintings. It can be said that Hori’s unique way of drawing in such physicality, can be seen in performances by his duo unit「HORI Kosai + HORI Erize」.

 

As with many people who have been affected by the pandemic, it has also changed the ordinary routine of the artist Hori. In the days he spent facing with his past works in his studio (rather forced to face with), Hori reaffirmed that the “lines” he had drawn many times in his life were like “scars”. Because the “tactile sensation” of carving the lines into the works resurrected on his body like old scars, no matter how much time has gone by. It was a realization that beckoned him to say: “Yes, I came from here, and am still here.”

 

For some of his new works, Hori decided to apply a new foundation of Washi paper on top of his previous drawings to create a completely different artwork. He says he was able to feel a fresh sense of eagerness, by resetting and starting from scratch, instead of laying new lines on top of the old ones. This may be considered a taboo for some, but he felt that perhaps for now, it is necessary to have the urgency and strength to refresh his mind. The title “Touching so close and having an openness” can also mean to have the determination to face the new world.

 

We may be further away from the physical world more than ever, yet the reason why we still long for the “tactile sensation” is because we remember that feeling deep within our body — I believe we are able to feel that kind of awareness in Hori’s works. It is our pleasure to welcome you to this show, to view for yourself the great determination seen in Hori Kosai’s new works.

 

Also, at √K Contemporary in Kagurazaka, is an exhibition titled “Kosai Hori Retrospective” (February 13 – March 6) exhibiting Hori’s works from his early career to the recent, as well as an installation exhibition titled “Kosai Hori + Erize Hori, To Remember — Who am I?” (February 13 – March 27) which is held at the same time. This is a great opportunity to see the exhibition which extensively covers the works from his early career to the latest releases.