Namonaki Sanemasa "@sanemasa5x ＃Fishy Story (๑•̀ ㅁ•๑)"（TOKYO）

Mizuma Art Gallery is pleased to present “@sanemasa5x #Fishy Story (๑•̀ ㅁ•๑),” a solo exhibition by Namonaki Sanemasa, commencing on the 28^th of February, 2024.

 

Based on X (formerly known as Twitter), Namonaki has been utilizing the account @sanemasa5x to post and present his artwork since 2015, running in tandem with various exhibitions. Taking the online personas and character nuances of painters as a starting point, Namonaki creates works influenced by modern technology such as touch panels and social media.

 

Creating numerous works linked to his base in Fukuoka, Namonaki will present a new series for this exhibition themed around the city’s “Ohama Nagare Kanjou” festival which has been of long-standing interest to the artist.

 

“Ohama Nagare Kanjou” takes root in local traditions, serving as a poignant ceremony to commemorate water-related disasters and plagues, and to offer solace to the departed souls. During the festival, large hanging lanterns crafted by skilled artisans illuminate Hakata’s nightscape, depicting not only samurai but also the extermination of yōkai monsters, man-eating creatures, and corpses. Puzzled by the inclusion of such vivid depictions of the deceased at a memorial event, Namonaki’s interest in the festival deepened even further.

 

One day, a local resident shared with him the belief that these lanterns were spread long ago via the northern Kitamaebune shipping route, giving rise to the captivating Nebuta floats in Aomori. Curious, the artist embarked on a personal investigation, only to discover that this account was fictional; in fact, Aomori’s Nebuta tradition predates it. The resemblance in appearance, rather than the historical connection, is what led to the creation of this imaginative tale. Intrigued by the audacious leap of this theory, Namonaki entertains the possibility that, if one were to embrace this story, it might have been passed down through whispers, evolving into the sculptural marvel of Nebuta. Believing that this sequence of events could be expanded into a further new story, the artist presented a work based on the same fantasy last summer at Shimonohashi-gomon Gate within the ruins of Fukuoka Castle.

 

The title of this exhibition, “Fishy Story,” refers to the Japanese word used to describe fanciful narratives, unrealistic plans, or exaggerations that deviate from reality.

 

“Of course, lying isn’t good. But could there exist a point of view that can only be reached through a narrative that is not entirely accurate?” – Namonaki Sanemasa

 

For Namonaki, who takes the internet’s personality and intertwines it with his character as the starting point for many creative endeavors, this “Fishy Story” may be a reflection of his own life as an artist. We warmly invite you to immerse yourself in the world of Namonaki Sanemasa.

 

 

Artist’s Interview Movie

 

 

You can enjoy a virtual 3D walkthrough of Namonaki Sanemasa’s “@sanemasa5x ＃Fishy Story (๑•̀ ㅁ•๑)”.

Please visit the following link.

 

https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=NqYqrtcgqLG