A Gathering of Food and Art | "NIHONGA-ZERO," an Exhibition of Young Japanese Painters Presented by Kaikai Kiki

ART│The 10th "Food and Art Gathering"

Kaikai Kiki Presents: Emerging Nihonga Artists "NIHONGA-ZERO"

The "Food and Art Gathering," an event exploring food with emerging artists, proposed by French chef Keisuke Matsushima. This edition collaborates with the Kaikai Kiki-hosted exhibition of emerging Nihonga painters, "NIHONGA-ZERO." It promises to be a valuable opportunity to glimpse the future of Japanese painting.

Text by OPENERS

Re-examining "Nihonga" from a Global Art Perspective

The "Food and Art Gathering" by +ART CLUB reaches its 10th installment. This time, in cooperation with Kaikai Kiki, led by artist Takashi Murakami, it is held under the title "NIHONGA-ZERO." The exhibition will feature works planned for display at the emerging Nihonga painters' exhibition "NIHONGA-ZERO," held from April 28th at the gallery "HIDARI ZINGARO" in Nakano Broadway. The Nihonga painters introduced this time are Yuki Shinbo, Yutaka Sugiyama, Yuuki Sori, and Gemi/Yuto Sakagami. At the "Food and Art Gathering," the artists are scheduled to give presentations about their expressions and creative processes.

The "ZERO" in "NIHONGA-ZERO" embodies the desire to reset and re-examine "Nihonga" from a global art perspective. Keisuke Matsushima, the initiator of +ART CLUB, who was the youngest recipient of France's Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Chevalier) and attended the award ceremony in Paris on March 16th, will also participate.

Furthermore, with the support of Pernod Ricard Japan, Mumm Rosé Champagne will add sparkle to this gathering. We look forward to appreciating the works of young artists who will carry the future as new exponents of Nihonga, while enjoying cuisine made with seasonal ingredients from "Restaurant-I" and champagne and wine.

A portion of the participation fee will be donated as relief funds for the Great East Japan Earthquake through the Japanese Red Cross Society.

The 10th Food and Art Gathering "NIHONGA-ZERO"
Date│Tuesday, April 5, 2011
(Exhibition Period│April 1 - Mid-May)
Open│19:30 (Talk Show: 20:00, Dinner: 20:30)

Capacity│80 guests
Participation Fee│¥8,000 (includes food and drinks)
Talk│Yuki Shinbo, Yutaka Sugiyama, Yuuki Sori, Gemi/Yuto Sakagami & Keisuke Matsushima
Dress Code│Japan
Venue│Restaurant-I
Park Court Jingumae 1F, 1-4-20 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-5772-2091
Reservations/Inquiries│+ART CLUB
info@plusartclub.com
Cooperation│HIdari Zingaro, Restaurant-I
Sponsorship│Pernod Ricard Japan

ART│The 10th "Food and Art Gathering"

Kaikai Kiki Presents: Emerging Nihonga Artists "NIHONGA-ZERO" (2)

Yuki Shinbo
Born in Gunma Prefecture in 1983. Raised in Shirai City, Chiba Prefecture.
Graduated from the Department of Painting, Nihonga Course, Tokyo University of the Arts in 2009.

"Objectively speaking, the world of Nihonga gives the impression of being insular. I hope to discover how to develop platforms and formats for its presentation in the future through this exhibition. While I feel there's no reason I *must* use Nihonga materials, there also is. However, I haven't yet depicted what I want to express to a degree that satisfies myself or others. Only when I can paint what I want to paint will it become meaningful words. Therefore, I want to paint a lot, whether small or large."

Yutaka Sugiyama
Born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1983.
Completed Master's Program, Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts in 2011.

"By immersing myself in the inner workings of Nihonga and its surrounding environment, and grasping it as a real experience, I want to consider the responsibility towards what the predecessors have built and think about a new form of Nihonga that is not merely a transient reaction. This work is not visually impactful; while cherishing traditional expressions and ways of thinking, I have imbued it with my fundamental feelings towards my parents."

Yuuki Sori
Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1985.
Enrolled in the Department of Painting, Nihonga Course, Tokyo University of the Arts in 2006.
Graduated from the same university in 2010.
Selected for the Maeda Seison Memorial Grand Prize Exhibition and the Goryuoh Sakurakinen Grand Prize Exhibition in 2010.

"In recent years, Nihonga has been dominated by the artists' assertions. The only difference from Western painting is the materials. Failing to see the demand in the real world has created a significant gap. I want to recreate objects that have functioned as antiques to fit the current era and find new value in them."

Yuto Sakagami / Gemi
Born in Osaka in 1989. Raised in Hyogo.
Enrolled in the Department of Art and Crafts, Nihonga Course, Kyoto University of Art and Design in 2008.

"Although the term 'Nihonga' was intended for a global audience, many Nihonga artists today remain confined to domestic public competitions. Consequently, the definition of Nihonga is becoming ambiguous. I believe that works can no longer exist without words, and Nihonga itself is not changing. For young artists like us who aspire to become Nihonga painters, I want us to study diligently, share the current issues within Nihonga, and think for ourselves. And then, I want us to redefine Nihonga once again."