A Fusion of Master Craftsmanship Garnering Global Acclaim

The Entrance Lounge at Kyoto University of Art and Design has hosted special exhibitions twice a year since April 2012. For its fifth installment, the university presents contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, a leading figure in Japan's art scene. Under Sugimoto's direction, this exhibition features collaborations with "Nakagawa Mokkogeihira Kobo," inheritors of exceptional wooden tub craftsmanship and spirit, and "Kaikado," a long-established maker of Japan's oldest handmade tea caddies. Visitors can experience new sculptures and spatial arrangements created by Kyoto's artisans.

Hiroshi Sugimoto

Hiroshi Sugimoto + Kyoto Artisans "Tamarimizu 1"
(c) Hiroshi Sugimoto, photography by Damian Griffiths, courtesy Pace London, 2013

Hiroshi Sugimoto + Kyoto Artisans "Tamarimizu 2"
(c) Hiroshi Sugimoto, photography by Damian Griffiths, courtesy Pace London, 2013

The two sculptures created for this exhibition are also being shown at the group exhibition "Mingei: Are You Here?" at Pace Gallery New York, from Friday, March 7th to Saturday, April 5th.

Syuji Nakagawa

Takahiro Yagi

At the opening reception on Wednesday, April 2nd, the first day of the exhibition, Syuji Nakagawa of Nakagawa Mokkogeihira Kobo and Takahiro Yagi of Kaikado are scheduled to attend alongside Sugimoto. To RSVP, please contact the Planning Office at Kyoto University of Art and Design by phone or email.

Opening Reception
Date | Wednesday, April 2nd, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Guests | Hiroshi Sugimoto, Syuji Nakagawa, Takahiro Yagi
Venue | Kyoto University of Art and Design, Human館 1F Entrance Lounge
2-116 Kitashirakawa Uryuyama, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8542, Japan
How to Participate | By phone or email

Entrance Lounge Special Exhibition "Hiroshi Sugimoto + Kyoto Artisans: Medaka no Gakko"
Period | Wednesday, April 2nd - Thursday, August 28th, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on Saturday, August 16th
Venue | Kyoto University of Art and Design, Human館 1F Entrance Lounge
2-116 Kitashirakawa Uryuyama, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8542, Japan
Admission Fee | Free

Kyoto University of Art and Design Planning Office
Tel. +81-75-791-9122
kikaku@office.kyoto-art.ac.jp


Hiroshi Sugimoto
Born in Tokyo in 1948, Sugimoto has lived in New York since 1974. As a contemporary artist, his works are held in museum collections worldwide. In 2008, he established the architectural design firm New Material Research Laboratory and has also been active in architecture, including the IZU PHOTO MUSEUM (Shizuoka). His "Sonezaki Shinju" (The Love Suicides at Sonezaki), for which he handled composition, direction, and art, was performed in three European countries in 2013. He has received numerous accolades, including the Mainichi Art Prize in 1988, an honorary doctorate from Parsons School of Design in New York in 2000, the Praemium Imperiale in 2009, the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2010, and the Praemium Imperiale again in 2013. His major publications include "Kukan Kan" (Space Sense) and "Hajimari no Art" (The Origin of Art).
http://www.sugimotohiroshi.com

Syuji Nakagawa
Nakagawa Mokkogeihira Kobo inherits the exceptional techniques and spirit of wooden tub craftsmanship. The beauty of their tubs, made solely by combining wood without fasteners, known as "Kyo-sashimono," is awe-inspiring. While fulfilling orders for tubs from high-end inns and restaurants in Kyoto, Nakagawa has also broken new ground by applying traditional, refined techniques to create sharp, modern wooden tubs like "Champagne Coolers," attracting international attention.
www.nakagawa-mokkougei.com

Takahiro Yagi
Kaikado is a long-established maker of Japan's oldest handmade tea caddies. Behind their simple beauty lie over 130 processes, and the precision of their tea caddies, backed by solid craftsmanship, is such that the lid closes with a gentle, satisfying 'swoosh' when aligned with the opening. Their airtight construction allows for appreciation of the patina over time, and their philosophy of creating items meant to be used for a lifetime resonates strongly with international acclaim.
www.kaikado.jp/