Lounge
May 8, 2015
Nobuyoshi Araki Solo Exhibition 'Eroticism' (Part 2)
Nobuyoshi Araki: A Retrospective Exhibition
Koshoku (Part 2)
This is a continuation of the Nobuyoshi Araki exhibition "Koshoku" that we began discussing last time. The exhibition runs until December 7th (Sunday), so if you haven't had a chance to see it yet, please do visit. Today, I'd like to start by sharing my impressions of the actual painting process as I observed it.
Nobuhiko Kitamura / HYSTERIC GLAMOURPhoto by Kaoru KitaharaEdit by Toranosuke Takeuchi (City Writes)
Are These Meticulously Planned Paintings Araki's Expression of Affection?
Those who have already seen the exhibition will likely understand, but upon viewing the finished works, the painting process might appear deceptively simple. However, what struck me was the considerable time and effort dedicated to painting each individual piece.
Of course, spontaneity is crucial when applying paint without any guiding lines. Yet, it's clear this isn't done on a whim; the work is meticulously calculated before being rendered. Furthermore, upon closer inspection, one can see a surprising level of fine technique at play. For instance, the dots of different colors applied within a single, pre-defined circle were executed with great care and time. It's also striking how many works feature paint applied near the eyes of the models, who are looking directly at the camera. Perhaps this is an attempt to capture the energy emanating from the subject. One can't help but be drawn to the models' eyes, feeling as though they are being gazed upon, or drawn into the woman's world. This must be Araki's unique way of expressing love.
An Artistry Beyond Eros, Revealed Through Paint
Curiously, while the foundation of these works is photography, one becomes captivated by the brushwork as they look. The colors are applied with such economy, and each scattered dot feels significant. It's fascinating how this painting transforms the provocative elements of the photographs, elevating them beyond mere eroticism. Typically, one might not be able to gaze at such photographs for long, but the addition of paint allows these works to be contemplated for extended periods.
This is purely my speculation, but I felt that perhaps Araki himself had certain ineffable feelings that couldn't be fully expressed through photography alone. Maybe it was a reaction against color. As you know, Araki is a master of color photography. However, by its very nature, photography struggles to convey the artist's raw, live energy in the work. Therefore, by applying vibrant paint over his monochrome photographs, Araki may have sought to express his own overflowing emotions. In any case, these works possess a depth that invites contemplation on various such ideas.
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Nobuyoshi Araki Exhibition "Koshoku"
October 17, 2008 (Friday) - December 7, 2008 (Sunday)
RAT HOLE GALLERY
12:00-20:00 (Closed Mondays)
RAT HOLE GALLERY & BOOKS
B1, 5-5-3 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-6419-3581