gleen | Directed by Tatsu Nobu Ito of Space Ohara

An Exhibition by Three Young Ceramic Artists Working in Mino, Gifu Prefecture

A collaborative exhibition, "NEW CERAMISTS FROM MINO - Midori Uchida, Kenji Omori, Keita Matsunaga Exhibition -," organized by Space Ohara, a craft gallery in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture, art director Mikiko Yoshida, and gleen, a select shop proposing lifestyle choices that consider the environment, will be held at gleen in Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, starting February 7th (Friday).

Text by OKADA Kazuyuki (OPENERS)

Reception Party Featuring "Guismi" Also to Be Held
The Mino region of Gifu Prefecture boasts a long history of pottery, including Momoyama ware, and continues to be home to many ceramic artists. Tatsu Nobu Ito, who previously worked at the Swiss architectural firm Miller & Maranta, presides over Space Ohara, a gallery located here.

For this exhibition, Ito has selected three young artists active in the Mino region whose future work is highly anticipated. The exhibition, co-directed with art director Mikiko Yoshida, aims to offer a glimpse not only into the ceramic works themselves but also into the backgrounds of the artists and their creations.



"In contemporary times, fields are becoming increasingly specialized, making it harder to see the faces of the creators. Similarly, I feel we are spending less time contemplating the backgrounds of the things around us. In this context, pottery, where a single individual handles all processes, is an art form where the creator and the work are directly connected. By incorporating it into daily life, it can enhance our sensitivity and help us lead richer lives. I hope this exhibition serves as an opportunity for such encounters," says Ito.



As a related event, on February 7th (Friday), the opening day, a "Reception Party" will be held, open to the public, where attendees can enjoy Japanese sake served in "guisumi" (small cups) made by the exhibiting artists, with the cooperation of catering service es Dining and Nakamura Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. of Kanazawa. The guisumi used at the event can be taken home. Furthermore, on February 15th (Saturday), with the cooperation of the general incorporated association "Teinei na Jikan" (A Careful Time), a "Tea House" will be held, offering tea and Japanese sweets served in tea bowls and on plates created by the exhibiting artists.

"NEW CERAMISTS FROM MINO - Midori Uchida, Kenji Omori, Keita Matsunaga Exhibition -"

Period | February 7th (Friday) - February 16th (Sunday), 2014

Hours | 11:00 - 20:00

Venue | gleen natural store tokyo

2-16-14 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo S.H Bldg 1F

http://www.gleen.jp

Reception Party

Date & Time | February 7th (Friday) 19:00 - 21:00

Enjoy Japanese sake served in guisumi made by exhibiting artists

Admission | ¥2,000 (includes guisumi by exhibiting artist) *Limited quantity available

Cooperation | es Dining, Nakamura Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.

Tea House

Date & Time | February 15th (Saturday) 13:00 - 18:00

Enjoy tea and Japanese sweets served in tea bowls and on plates made by exhibiting artists

Price | ¥500

Cooperation | "Teinei na Jikan" x Fujimiya Confectionery

Fixtures | Megumi Machida (Doctoral Program, Tokyo University of the Arts)

Planning | gleen, Space Ohara, Mikiko Yoshida
ITO Tatsunobu

Born in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture in 1982. After graduating from Keio University's Faculty of Law, he worked at the SFC Research Institute (Shigeru Ban Lab) before studying at the Accademia di architettura di Mendrisio in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. He then worked at the Swiss architectural firm Miller & Maranta. Upon returning to Japan, he founded Space Ohara, a craft gallery specializing in ceramics, and has been involved in various activities, including the shopping street revitalization project "Tajimiru."

YOSHIDA Mikiko

Born in Tokyo in 1985. Graduated from Seijo University's Faculty of Letters, Department of Art in 2008, where she studied under Nobuyuki Chihaya. She studied abroad in the UK and France. After returning to Japan, she worked as a secretary for a member of the House of Representatives before joining Galerie Tamenaga in 2009. After leaving the gallery in 2013, she began activities connecting the elderly and children with art. She also works as an art director, leveraging her gallery experience.