ART | "Para-model Exhibition: Our Sky-High Castles" at Maison Hermès
ART│New Installations by Acclaimed International Art Unit
"Paramodel's Model / Our Air Castles" Exhibition at Maison Hermès
Paramodel, an art unit gaining attention for installations that fill spaces with toys like Plarail and miniature cars, is presenting their new installation "Paramodel's Model / Our Air Castles" at the Maison Hermès Forum on the 8th floor until May 6 (Mon, holiday).
Text by YANAKA Tomomi
The Metaphysical Model Play of Two Artists Building a "Para" World
Paramodel, which has presented "site-specific works"—art belonging to a particular place—at museums and other venues both domestically and internationally, was formed in 2001 by Yasuhiko Hayashi (born 1971) and Yusuke Nakano (born 1976). The unit name "Paramodel" itself has frequently appeared as a keyword indicating their production philosophy in exhibition and artwork titles from the past to the present.
Like a neologism formed from the two words "Para," suggesting terms such as parallel, paradox, parameter, parasite, and paradise, and "Model," evoking models and blueprints, their installations provoke countless possibilities. Worlds assembled from architectural parts and components expand like ever-rebuilding cities and organisms, while symbolically representing a contemporary era of extreme codification.
For this exhibition, within Maison Hermès, located in the heart of Tokyo and covered in glass blocks, they have interpreted the city through their individual methods, expanding their imaginations, and notably, have refrained from using Plarail, which they have employed extensively until now. The exhibition features installations that model space endlessly, drawings that are mistaken for air castles appearing on temporary hoarding sheets, and works where individual imaginations are both meticulous and fantastical.
Furthermore, on March 21 (Thu), a talk event will be held with Yusuke Nakano of Paramodel and Professor Kunikazu Uno from Rikkyo University's Faculty of Contemporary Psychology, Department of Visual and Embodied Media. The discussion will revolve around contemporary creation, stemming from the physicality seen in Paramodel's works.
The metaphysical model play of two artists who, at times becoming parts and at others the whole, construct a "para" world. We invite you to glimpse into Paramodel's parallel world, where they create a single universe despite presenting distinct titles.
"Paramodel's Model / Our Air Castles" Par نموذج Exhibition
Dates: February 16 (Sat) – May 6 (Mon, holiday)
Hours: Mon–Sat 11:00–20:00, Sun 11:00–19:00
Venue: Maison Hermès Forum, 8F
5-4-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-3569-3300
Admission: Free