Artist Keiichi Tanaami's new solo exhibition "Reconstruction of Memory" is being held at two locations: "NANZUKA 2G" in Shibuya Parco 2F (July 4 - July 26) and the gallery "NANZUKA" (July 11 - August 8). This exhibition is presented as a series of exhibitions that visually allude to the connection between Tanaami's childhood memories of experiencing war and his creative activities. The venue will showcase new works in various formats, including diorama-like three-dimensional pieces and large-scale collage works. The newly created paintings feature characters from works that influenced Tanaami, such as the American comic "Nancy," published in 1938 and popular in post-war Japan, and the tokusatsu hero show "Ultraman," which aired in 1966.

To coincide with the exhibition, MEDICOM TOY's "BE@RBRICK Keiichi Tanaami 1000%" was released in limited quantities at 2G. We interviewed Tanaami via email about his new solo exhibition, the BE@RBRICK, and his creative situation since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Mirror Image Machine" (2020)
Pigmented ink, acrylic silkscreen medium, crashed glass, glitter acrylic paint, acrylic paint on canvas

©Keiichi Tanaami Courtesy of NANZUKA

— Last year, when we spoke with NANZUKA owner Masashi Nanuka, he mentioned that you are very fond of toys.(Keiichi Tanaami is the first Japanese artist to understand Andy Warholhttps://openers.jp/design/design_features/P6qIg).

I moved studios two years ago after using the same one for 50 years, so I've gotten rid of quite a lot, but I still have many things like old Mickey Mouse soft vinyl toys and wooden dolls. My former students, knowing I like them, often give them to me as gifts.

— Throughout your long career, you have also been active as a graphic designer. It is said that you came up with various ideas for the BE@RBRICK product design that was released this time.

BE@RBRICK Keiichi Tanaami 1000%
Size | Approx. 700mm height each
Price | ¥58,000 (excluding tax) each
Release Date | Scheduled for release in July 2020
Retailers | 2G
Inquiries | MEDICOM TOY User Support
Tel. 03-3460-7555
※Sold out.

©️ Keiichi Tanaami / courtesy of NANZUKA
BE@RBRICK TM & ©️ 2001- 2020 MEDICOM TOY CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

It has become commonplace to create art using techniques previously used for editorial work, so the terms graphic design and product design are now obsolete. MEDICOM TOY put in a considerable effort this time, but even so, I had to reduce the number of colors and lines, and the original design had much more intricate patterns.

— I see. I look forward to the day when printing technology advances to the point where the original designs can be reproduced. You also participated in "BE@RBRICK WORLD WIDE TOUR" in 2005.(An exhibition where artists from around the world used 1000% size BE@RBRICK as a canvas)What are your thoughts on creating art using the BE@RBRICK as a base?

BE@RBRICK designed by Tanaami from the "BE@RBRICK WORLD WIDE TOUR 5" set of 5, released in June 2006.

Of course, it's not the same as painting on a canvas of my own choosing, but I believe the reason BE@RBRICK is popular worldwide is the result of MEDICOM TOY's continuous efforts to challenge themselves and create better products, even within those technical constraints.

— Could you share your impressions of "2G," one of the venues for your current solo exhibition "Reconstruction of Memory"?

I understand that 2G was established based on the concept of "a gallery that doesn't insist on art for art's sake," as proposed by Nanuka. I have always worked in fields that are the opposite of protected art, and I have collaborated with PARCO many times in the past. This time, I also created a public art piece in the window of the connecting corridor on the second floor.

"Nancy 1" (2020)
Pigmented ink, acrylic silkscreen medium, crashed glass, glitter acrylic paint, acrylic paint on canvas

©Keiichi Tanaami Courtesy of NANZUKA

— 2020 was a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. What kind of creative activities did you engage in?

To calm my mind, I continued to create paintings that imitated Picasso's Mother and Child in my own way. It's like copying sutras. Even though I intend to paint the same picture, I find it fascinating that a different work emerges each day, and I continue to do so every day. I plan to paint 100 of them. I hope to exhibit them at the Kumamoto Museum of Contemporary Art next year.

— Will these circumstances be reflected in your future works?

Given the magnitude of this event, it will naturally have an impact. It is also necessary to suspend one's thoughts, as in the case of copying Picasso, and confront the work itself.

— In the BE@RBRICK product design, icons such as "rooster," "goldfish," and "giant eye" are used. We understand that these are deeply connected to your personal experiences. Does the repetition of motifs also create internal changes in your work?

I have explained the individual motifs in detail in various interviews in the past, so I will omit the explanation here. However, as the theme of the solo exhibition "Reconstruction of Memory" held at Nanzuka and 2G suggests, and as can be understood from the discussion about imitating Picasso's work, humans have an innate ability to create new things through repetition. Through my work, I am always surprised to find that the various recurring motifs carry different meanings, forms, and stories each time.

— This is my last question. You are also widely knowledgeable about music; what have you been listening to recently?

I always have the radio on in my studio, so I listen to everything from the latest music from Japan and abroad to old tunes.

— Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions despite your busy schedule. I look forward to fully immersing myself in your world at this exhibition.

"Keiichi Tanaami: Reconstruction of Memory"
July 11 (Sat) - August 8 (Sat), 2020
Venue: NANZUKA
Address: B2F, Shibuya IBIS Bldg., 2-17-3 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 19:00
Closed: Sundays, Mondays, and national holidays
※To prevent the spread of COVID-19, admission may be restricted without prior notice.

July 4 (Sat) - July 26 (Sun), 2020
Venue: NANZUKA 2G (Shibuya PARCO)
Address: Shibuya PARCO 2F, 15-1 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: Subject to PARCO's business days and hours

https://nug.jp/ja

Keiichi Tanaami

Born in Tokyo in 1936. Graduated from Musashino Art University. Since the 1960s, he has continued to create works as a graphic designer, filmmaker, and artist, actively crossing and blurring the boundaries between media and genres. His career, spanning over half a century, has earned him immense support from young artists worldwide as a model for a new generation of artists in the 21st century. Last year, he launched the "Adicolor x Tanaami" collection in collaboration with adidas Originals. His prolific creative activities were featured in "Jounetsu Tairiku" last April, receiving significant attention. His works are also part of the permanent collection at the newly renovated Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, which reopened last fall, solidifying his unique position as a leading post-war Japanese artist.