Kohei Nawa Catalogue “METAMORPHOSIS”
Kohei Nawa’s long-awaited new catalogue “METAMORPHOSIS” has been released.
The release date was February 4, 2019. Timed to coincide with it, the “Throne -Louvre Pyramid-” exhibition also opened.
Although I described this as his first catalogue in a long while, the previous one was published back in June–August 2011 as the official catalogue for his solo exhibition “Kohei Nawa – SYNTHESIS” held at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo.
Standard Edition
Like the previous catalogue, which is now hard to obtain, this new one is a strictly limited edition of 1,500 copies, and it is virtually certain that it will become difficult to find down the road.
Nor is it distributed to bookstores across the country. It is sold as a Tsutaya Books exclusive. You will need to buy it either in-store at a Tsutaya branch or through online shopping.
The heart of the matter—the book itself—is large and pleasingly heavy, and the contents are packed.
Beginning with “Throne,” the massive work he presented at the Louvre in Paris in July 2018, it collects more than 150 pieces from Nawa’s exhibitions at home and abroad—irresistible material for any fan. Since it is a limited run, you’ll want to grab one early.
I bought mine through free-shipping mail order. It was carefully packaged, so I recommend this route over hauling the heavy volume home from a Tsutaya store.
Special Edition
Sold separately from the standard edition was the “Special Edition — COLLECTOR’S EDITION —.”
Ten types of “Velvet”—a sculpture series specially produced as multiples—were made, each in a limited run of 10 editions.
Right: Velvet-Fu(R)
This special edition, incidentally, sold out in a flash.
Given that you can buy a Nawa work at this price, it’s easy to see why it drew such a scramble.
Having seen them in person, they are lovely pieces that you want to keep close at hand. Anyone who managed to get one is lucky indeed!
Overview
“METAMORPHOSIS” Standard Edition
■ Specifications: hardcover, German-style binding
■ Book size: 262 mm (W) × 332 mm (H) × 40 mm (thickness) / weight approx. 2.5 kg
■ Pages: 336
■ Languages: Japanese and English
■ Price: 18,000 yen (excl. tax)
■ Limited to 1,500 copies
“METAMORPHOSIS” Special Edition — COLLECTOR’S EDITION —
■ Contents: 1 copy of the standard edition of “METAMORPHOSIS” / one Kohei Nawa multiple in an acrylic case / B5 explanatory booklet, as a set.
The back of the acrylic case housing the multiple is laser-engraved with 1) the work title, 2) the edition number, and 3) Kohei Nawa’s signature.
■ Multiples: 10 types in total, each limited to 10 editions
* The multiples for this catalogue are part of the sculpture series known as “Velvet,” in which villus-like moss- or mycelium-covered surfaces are applied to the objects.
Multiple types
・Velvet-White Deer(R)
・Velvet-Trans-T.O.P(R)
・Velvet-Trans-Double Yana(R)
・Velvet-Fu(R)
・Velvet-Rai(R)
・Velvet-Totem(R)
・Velvet-Throne(R)
・Velvet-Ether(R)
・Velvet-Manifold (R)
・Velvet-VIA-Wall(R)
■ Enclosed in a presentation box
Presentation box size: 367 mm (W) × 367 mm (H)
Weight: approx. 9.4 kg
■ Price: 350,000 yen (excl. tax)
How to purchase: in-store at Ginza Tsutaya Books only
