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The Performance
TAIGEN: Proto-memory, realization, a feeling of exchange between an
origin-memory of the universe and the enactment of a ceremony of an
image-analysis as the point of departure for the work. The elements
of the performance are described briefly: One naked light bulb is hung
from the ceiling and is wrapped in wet cloth. As it swings with the
pull of gravity and the earth's movement, the artist writes his reflections
on cotton cloth using syu (japanese-vermilion ink) and sumi (japanese-carbon-black
ink) with a fude (japanese-brush) and a wooden hammer. Then, it becomes
a loincloth on a naked figure. The naked light bulb is struck quietly
and cracked. Oxygen enters into the electric bulb and the filament is
burned. Just before it burns out, the filament becomes bright with KATSU
(a wing-like form), then fizzles out and delivers darkness. In the darkness,
some small photogen cells are flown through the air with rubber bands.
A flown and retrieved photogen is put into the mouth of the artist and
the ceremony of initiation is ended.
The Concept of the Exhibition
TAIGEN: Reflections on proto-memory, a feeling of exchange with an origin-memory
of the universe and a picture fantasy analysis work. The artist saw
an internal image fantasy when he was in so-called adolescence in 1968
which prompted him to make an instantaneous decision to become an artist.
This is the pole where he is firm -- private -- holding in mind a "picture
fantasy" and this modus operandi continues till the present. The artist
named his intermittent performances in 1988. The word used is TAIGEN,
or material realization of a spiritual idea. This word has meaning in
terms of the materialization of a concept ("the work was realized in
paper and ink") and also in the sense of awakening or understanding
("He suddenly realized its meaning".) This work is still puzzling to
the artist -- inside the "picture fantasy" -- TAIGEN -- and he is becoming
convinced that it includes almost "all the phenomena which become a
starting point for drawing." However, even when the image is drawn,
it also tends to produce the illusion that all will be purified. The
dangerous feeling that the action will produce a spell also surfaces
occasionally as if the "picture fantasy" becomes an object through complete
faith in the work. The artist makes his way through all this by depending
each time on a deepening self-critical process.
The Exhibition
- approximately 50 drawings (pencil on paper) B4 size
- two large drawings (acrylic paint on black cloth) of 39 x 117 inches
/ 3 x 1 meters
- rolled Japanese letter paper
- on the floor, a drawing written on cotton
- a work area: Japanese writing paper, a pencil and a small table
The artist will be performing a continuing drawing action during the
show from November 1 to 24. Please call the gallery for specific times
when Kazuhiro Nishijima will be present and available to the public
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