I visited Takeshi Uchibayashi’s solo exhibition. The venue was Gallery Shinseido in Omotesando.
I have seen Takeshi Uchibayashi’s work before — a fascinating artist who presents electrical works made from wood.
I don’t like discussing art in terms of gender, but I suspect there are many male fans captivated by his contraptions and gimmicks. He gives the impression of an artist who loves tinkering with machines.
First Floor
True to Shinseido’s style, the exhibition is split between the first floor and the basement.
The first floor features individual works, each fully deploying its own mechanism.
Flip a switch and something moves or lights up — a joyful world awaits. Visitors are welcome to touch the works and set them in motion themselves.
Basement
The basement is staged, as the exhibition title suggests, so that you wander into a nocturnal world. Lighting works — house lamps, moonlight, and the like — are lined up.
In Map of the Town of Stars, two kinds of houses are arranged: single yellowish glowing cosmos units and three-linked white-glowing galaxy units. Each is handmade, casting a dreamlike light.
The works are made of wood, painted white. They plug into a standard household outlet (available in white or black) and come with an on/off switch, so they’re easy to enjoy at home. Because they use LEDs, there’s no worry about heat, and you can even leave them lit all night as you sleep.
There were chairs, so I lost track of time and lingered a while, seated there.
On this floor, Brian Eno’s music played quietly. It harmonized beautifully with the faint glow the works gave off, functioning wonderfully to orchestrate the space.
Since I had been looking for a work that lights up, I acquired one from the show. Other pieces caught my eye as well, and I vowed to come back before long…
