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May 13, 2015
ART | "David Lynch: The Chaos Dwelling in Violence and Silence" Exhibition
ART | Experience Lynch's World, a Cult Favorite with a Unique Vision
David Lynch: The Art of the Absurd
David Lynch, one of the world's most influential filmmakers, has brought us many acclaimed works, including "The Elephant Man" and "Blue Velvet." A major exhibition dedicated to his art will be held from Saturday, November 10th to Sunday, December 2nd, at Laforet Museum Harajuku in Tokyo. The exhibition will feature 75 artworks, including pieces never before shown in Japan, and five short films, one of which is also a Japanese premiere.
Text by MATSUDA Natsuki (OPENERS)
The "Lynchian" World: An Invitation to the Unknown
When David Lynch's name is mentioned, most people immediately think of his films. Starting with his debut, "Eraserhead" in 1977, he has released a string of masterpieces, including the socially impactful "Twin Peaks" and "Mulholland Drive," all characterized by their unique visual aesthetics and intense individuality.
While known as a cinematic genius, David Lynch's artworks also command significant attention, rivaling his filmography, and his reputation in the art world continues to grow. He has held solo exhibitions at institutions like the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art in France and the Max Ernst Museum in Germany, and in 2010, he received the prestigious German "Goslar Kaiserring award" in the art world. For Lynch, creating art is an expressive activity undertaken with the same intensity as filmmaking.
"I HAVE A GUN" 2012 oil + mixed media on canvas 60.96cm x 60.96cm For all artwork: copyright David Lynch All photos were taken by Robert Wedemeyer.
"POLAND FACTORY 04" For all artwork: copyright David Lynch All photos were taken by Robert Wedemeyer.
This exhibition, held with the support of David Lynch himself, focuses on the foundations of his creative expression, attempting to delve into the "latent visions of the subconscious" beyond the confines of categories like "film" and "painting." The venue will display a total of 75 artworks: 32 paintings, 9 drawings, and 34 photographs, with 72 of these being shown in Japan for the first time. Additionally, five experimental short films will be screened, including one new to Japan. The exhibition's labyrinthine layout, featuring an interlocking structure of painting exhibition spaces and a temporary theater, fully immerses visitors in the "Lynchian" world.
This exhibition, which distills the essence of David Lynch's work—simultaneously enigmatic and captivating—is a must-see. We invite you to experience the dizzying, fantastical, and surreal world of this exhibition, a hallmark of Lynch's artistic style.
David Lynch
Born in Montana, USA, in 1946. Aspiring to be a painter, he enrolled at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1965. He received a scholarship from the American Film Institute (AFI) and spent five years completing "Eraserhead" (1976). He subsequently released "The Elephant Man" (1980, nominated for 8 Academy Awards), "Blue Velvet" (1986, nominated for Best Director at the Academy Awards), and "Wild at Heart" (1990, won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival). The television series "Twin Peaks" (1990-1991) became a global hit. For "Mulholland Drive" (2001), he received the Best Director award at Cannes, and in 2006, he was honored with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival for his career achievements. In 2007, the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art in Paris hosted the highly successful major retrospective "The Air is on Fire." He is currently producing a documentary for the David Lynch Foundation, which he presides over. He is also preparing a new film and actively involved in music production. http://davidlynch.com/
David Lynch: The Art of the Absurd
Dates | Saturday, November 10, 2012 – Sunday, December 2, 2012
Hours | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Admission | General ¥800, Students ¥600
Free for elementary school children and younger, and Laforet Card members
Venue | Laforet Museum Harajuku (Laforet Harajuku 6F)
1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-3475-0411
http://www.laforet.ne.jp