I visited “KODAI OPEN STUDIO,” the open studio of “Studio Kōdai,” the largest shared atelier in the Kanto region.
It’s located about a 15-minute bus ride from Toride Station.
It takes about 15 minutes by bus from the east exit of Toride Station.Studio Kōdai—a peaceful rural landscape spreads out around it.A two-story building. Prefab-made, so when you’re on the 1st floor you hear the creaking footsteps from the 2nd floor.The overall map. Each artist’s space differs in size, but every room is a spacious, large atelier.
Yasushi Mori
Yasushi Mori’s gigantic wood-carved work. An overwhelming impact.The scent of wood filled the air—a dense space that came through both the eyes and the nose.One of the joys of visiting an atelier is being able to see the tools each artist actually uses.
Noriko Saso
Noriko Saso’s stained-glass workIt’s set up so the light glows from a household power source.You feel a light and shadow that can’t be captured by “beautiful” alone.The approach of expressing a face through stained glassThe wonder of doing monotone expression in stained glass (this is praise).The delight of glimpsing works in progress
Nami Yokoyama
Nami Yokoyama’s neon-tube series worksBeautifully painted with hemp cloth as the canvas.A small work painted in gold. Rendered meticulously and carefully.A series painted in the corner was also on display.Three major works placed in the corner of the studio. Both the large works and the small works were lovely!
Masahiro Masuda
In Masahiro Masuda’s atelier, a video of his production method was being shown.A major work was boldly displayed and well worth seeing.A display style like laying works flat for sale. Many artists apparently actually sold their works.Seeing the work in front of you after seeing the production technique leads to a deeper understanding.It was a work composed of complex colors.
Wataru Ozu
I’ve seen Wataru Ozu’s works several times, and he’s one of the artists I like.
A “sold” sticker was indicated with masking tape.A view inside the atelier—the major work is a piece in progress.
Kenichiro Fukumoto
Kenichiro Fukumoto’s atelier was beautifully arranged.Kenichiro Fukumoto’s sculpture—”influenced by Izumi Kato,” said a fellow collector.An artist with a range of works and quite versatile.
Yu Antoni Yamada
There were many cases where the artist’s name was written directly on the white wall.A wall with the pieces used in creating works attached to itMost of the works are in progress. His style is to create while advancing many canvases simultaneously.The only completed works were the two new-series pieces at the front.
Keisuke Tada
The technical virtuoso artist Keisuke TadaIt looks like nothing but wood, but it’s the painting series “trace/wood,” painted with paint on canvas.No materials other than paint are used—even a single nail is made of paint. It’s as if you’ve been put under a spell.A work from the “zanketsu (remnant) painting” series depicting a bookshelf.
Yu Sunaga
The atelier of painter Yu SunagaThe traces of paint were vivid, yet the works were displayed like a gallery.A memorable, beautiful red.
Naoki Tomita
An impressive major work from his landscape-painting series was displayed.This is a small figure-painting work. A flat-laid display-and-sale style.A new-series work—perhaps another delight of an atelier visit is seeing works the artist is tackling in real time.The peaceful scenery visible from the window
Yui Nakane
Yui Nakane, who also exhibited at Art Award Tokyo 2019.I was able to see how she creates various works.An adorable three-dimensional work
Yuji Kan
An artist who applies a urethane base to the canvas, then paints and creates works by scraping them away.You might call it an aesthetic of subtraction. The material feel, including a cool glossiness, is cool.Very cool works. Stylish and lovely.Cool, isn’t it—all sparkly.Installation view《Stairs》 2018《Shape of shine△》 2019
Kenta Kawagoe
Three-dimensional works made from photographsHe apparently arrived at this style after feeling the limits of what can be expressed with photography.With extremely complex shapes, even staring hard I couldn’t quite make them out…Installation view
Ikuko Kokubun
A mysterious world spread out in Ikuko Kokubun’s works.Vivid colors with mysterious motifsA tidy, beautiful atelier.《Melting Land》 2018
I can’t introduce every artist, but if the artist was present, it was a chance to hear all sorts of stories.
There are so many artists that, as I went around listening to their talks, quite a lot of time had passed before I knew it.
It was extremely enjoyable, and I got to experience everyone’s earnest dedication.
This project seems to have become a regular event.
I definitely want to go to the next one too.
