[Aichi Triennale 2019] Kanji Yumisashi, "Shining Children" — Endoji Area

Aichi Triennale 2019

I viewed Kanji Yumisashi’s work at Aichi Triennale 2019.
The venue is “Maison Nagono 808” in the Endoji Honmachi shopping street, in the Shikemichi and Endoji area.

Kanji Yumisashi is a visual artist who, following the tragedy of his mother’s suicide, has been presenting paintings that offer requiems to the deceased and diverse perspectives centered on those who have passed away.

Kanji Yumisashi, “Shining Children”

While the Aichi Triennale 2019 has been drawing attention for sensationalist reasons, it’s a great pity that news of works that truly move the heart — like Kanji Yumisashi’s “Shining Children” — has been overshadowed. This exhibition is an art project built on Kanji Yumisashi’s careful reporting and craft, with the children who lost their lives in a traffic accident at its center.

The exhibition takes as its theme the incident on April 18, 2011 in Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture, in which a crane truck plowed into a line of children on their way to school, killing six.

Kanuma City crane truck rampage accident (Wikipedia link)

A distinctive feature of the approach is that Yumisashi interviewed not only the victims but also the parents of both the victims and the perpetrator. Through the works, he conveys the tragedy of traffic accidents to viewers, embedding a message that also raises awareness of our own traffic manners.

The victims in the published works are shown by their real names (already reported in the press, not only in this exhibition)

Kanji Yumisashi’s works use bright colors, and never project the tragedy of the accident onto the work in a direct way.

On the other hand, pieces that touch directly on the accident are accompanied by written text — messages and background on the reporting — revealing the words and thoughts of everyone involved.

Works painted from a parent's perspective, contemplating their child's growth — Works painted from a parent’s perspective, contemplating their child’s growth

Portraits of the children who lost their lives

Works depicting everyday life pose a question to us.

Comments from the perpetrator's parents are also included. — Comments from the perpetrator’s parents are also included.

In the latter half of the gallery, you must walk through works hung like curtains to reach the exit.*Photographed from near … — In the latter half of the gallery, you must walk through works hung like curtains to reach the exit.
*Photographed from near the ceiling

You have to push the canvas works aside as you make your way forward.

A message from Kanji Yumisashi was also on display

The canvases blocking the way one after another created a simulated experience of being drawn toward a car.

I felt the weight of how many people’s lives and feelings can be intertwined by a single traffic accident.
The intent behind Kanji Yumisashi’s works and their expression came across so clearly, and it became an opportunity to seriously reflect on that meaning.

A wonderful exhibition. I felt the power of art.

Overview

Aichi Triennale 2019
Theme: Taming Y/Our Passion
Artistic Director: Daisuke Tsuda (journalist / media activist)
Dates: August 1 (Thu) – October 14 (Mon, holiday), 2019 [75 days]
Main venues:
Aichi Arts Center
Nagoya City Art Museum
Downtown Nagoya (Shikemichi & Endoji area, etc.)
Toyota City (Toyota Municipal Museum of Art and downtown)
Organizer: Aichi Triennale Organizing Committee