ART | Hanayo's Solo Exhibition "Grey Zone"
ART | Where Monochrome Works and the World of Costume National Converge
Solo Exhibition 'Gray Zone' by Artist Hanayo
Hanayo, a contemporary artist, musician, and performer with a global following, presents 'Gray Zone,' an exhibition of monochrome photographs. It runs until May 15 (Thursday) at the flagship store of the Italian brand Costume National in Minami-Aoyama.
Text by YANAKA Tomomi
Held at the Flagship Store Featuring a Shop, Bar, and Gallery
Hanayo was born in 1970. After 15 years based in Berlin, she returned to Tokyo in 2010. Having been exposed to photography, music, and theater from a young age and spent time in various parts of America and Europe, she has worn many hats: she trained as a geisha for seven years, graced the cover of 'The Face' magazine in geisha attire in 1992, and is active as an artist, musician, and performer. She also presents installations and photographs that capture her daily life in fantastical colors. She is an artist who thrives both domestically and internationally.
This solo exhibition, 'Gray Zone,' is being held at the flagship store of Costume National, the Italian brand renowned for its minimalist and chic designs, which opened in Minami-Aoyama in 2011 and features a shop, bar, and gallery.
Hanayo, untitled, 2013, gelatin silver print, © Hanayo Courtesy of Gallery Koyanagi
Until now, Hanayo consistently produced color photographs, capturing moments with her unique sense of color and lightness. This exhibition marks a shift, presenting a solo show composed entirely of monochrome works shot since the year before last, reflecting Hanayo's new approach that transcends the principles and frameworks of photography. The venue features works where blurred focus and monochrome worlds combine, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia in the viewer.
"Hanayo, untitled, 2013, gelatin silver print, © Hanayo Courtesy of Gallery Koyanagi"
Hanayo, returning to Japan after 15 years abroad in Germany, encounters her homeland anew. The 'Gray Zone' captured here is Hanayo's signature lyrical world, beautifully framing the accumulated time and fleeting moments of the land where she was born and raised.
Hanayo Solo Exhibition 'Gray Zone'
Dates: February 13 (Thursday) – May 15 (Thursday)
Hours: 11:00 – 19:00
Venue: CoSTUME NATIONAL | LAB
5-4-30 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo CoSTUME NATIONAL Aoyama Complex 1F
Tel. 03-5466-8755