Cool Invitations 6
We visited XYZ collective, a gallery in Sugamo. XYZ collective is an artist-run gallery (artist-run space).
The annual season of “Cool Invitations” has arrived again.
Pushed aside by the wave of digitalization, receiving invitations on paper has become an old-fashioned notion, yet the function of sending an invitation still lives on, even in email form.
We would be delighted if visitors to this exhibition, upon seeing the collection of invitations on display, could recall various past exhibitions. In such a moment, the paper invitation takes on a role as part of the exhibition itself.
For participants in this now-established exhibition, we asked them to conceive purely imaginary invitations. Whether impossible or possible – simple dream invitations – anyone involved in art can dream up these “invitations to imaginary exhibitions.”“Cool Invitations” is a benefit exhibition held to support the ongoing activities of XYZ Collective. Invitation cards created as artworks by artists are offered for sale.
In Japan, it is extraordinarily difficult for artist-run spaces like XYZ Collective, which are not commercial galleries, to sustain their activities. Through this benefit exhibition, we support their international efforts. XYZ Collective also plays the role of introducing Japanese artists to international projects.
Every work is sold at the flat price of 40,000 yen, with the proceeds going toward the operating funds of XYZ Collective.
Such initiatives are said to be quite common in Europe and America.
In Japan, the diversification of venues where art can be shown still seems to remain at a low level.
Regarding initiatives such as this exhibition, we hope to actively consider what we, as collectors, can do.
