LOUNGE /
ART
May 17, 2019
Koichiro Takagi and Akinobu Aoki Present Joint Exhibition 'EXOTIC GLEAMING NOISE' | BRICK ＆ MORTAR
BRICK ＆ MORTAR
A Joint Exhibition by Two Artists Rooted in Music
'EXOTIC GLEAMING NOISE'
Since its opening in 2014, BRICK & MORTAR Nakameguro has served as a space for conveying freshness with freedom and flexibility. Through its style of creating what it wants to make and delivering it immediately, the shop has undertaken various initiatives, transforming at times into a bookstore, an atelier, or a gallery. Much like a greengrocer that only delivers seasonal produce or a media outlet whose content changes with each feature, this independent shop, which changes with every visit, is now presenting an exhibition by two artists, Koichiro Takagi and Akinobu Aoki, titled 'EXOTIC GLEAMING NOISE.' What kind of expressions will we encounter in a space brought to life by these two artists?
Text by Satsuki Wakabayashi
An Exhibition by Artists Koichiro Takagi and Akinobu Aoki
BRICK & MORTAR Nakameguro is hosting a joint exhibition, 'EXOTIC GLEAMING NOISE,' by artists Koichiro Takagi and Akinobu Aoki. Takagi, who expresses idols with critical mystique through familiar motifs, and Aoki, who layers daily inspirations in diverse styles. What kind of space will be created by these two artists, both with music in their backgrounds, through their differing approaches and the 'sense of unease' that resonates through their work?
Koichiro Takagi is an artist born in Tokyo. After studying at an art school in San Francisco, he was based in New York before returning to Japan, where he has since created a wide range of works, including paintings and embroidery. He is currently active as a painter, participating in domestic and international curated and group exhibitions, as well as holding solo shows. He also frequently provides designs and collaborates with apparel brands. What remains consistent in his artistic expression is the near absence of 'people' in his works, which imbues them with a certain discomfort and contradiction. His motifs are often animals or anthropomorphized animals, their expressions sometimes cute, sometimes baring their fangs as if to glare at the viewer. This lends his animal-centric works an anonymity and mystique, emitting a peculiar sensation that blends familiarity with unease. It is as if he is depicting the shifting emotions and inherent contradictions of people, while simultaneously expressing the existence of an ideal realm that, though unseen, we wish to believe in.
Akinobu Aoki is a painter and the bassist for the instrumental band 'Rega.' He began his career as a painter in earnest after designing his own CD jackets and merchandise, and has since provided illustrations for CD covers and magazines, as well as graphics for apparel brands. In recent years, he has expanded his activities to include art markets where viewers can freely set prices for artworks, and live painting events in buildings slated for demolition.
Created for this exhibition, the collaborative works were produced in a style akin to an exchange of letters, resulting in a unique finish. Original merchandise, such as T-shirts and stickers, will also be on display and available for purchase. At the opening reception party on the first day, May 31st (Friday), there will be a live silk-screening event by Koichiro Takagi and a live performance by Akinobu Aoki. We invite you to experience the dazzling noise created by both artists and the harmony it weaves.
Koichiro Takagi × Akinobu Aoki Joint Exhibition 'EXOTIC GLEAMING NOISE'
Venue | BRICK & MORTAR Nakameguro
Dates | May 31, 2019 (Fri) - June 21, 2019 (Fri)
Address | 1-4-4 Naka-Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Hours | 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Closed | Mondays
Opening Reception | May 31, 2019 (Fri) 6:00 PM onwards