Aichi Triennale 2019
At the Aichi Triennale 2019, I visited Yohei Imamura’s exhibition room. The venue is the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art Gallery (8F).
Yohei Imamura produces sculptural works using silkscreen, one of the classic printmaking techniques.
Ordinarily, silkscreen prints are perceived as two-dimensional works, but Imamura layers his prints an extraordinary 10,000 times!
The work in the next photo, “peak 3601,” is a large piece measuring 143 cm square.
It may not be evident from a distance, but the layered strata of ink gradually build up into a physical thickness — a solid work.
The next photo is a close-up of this work. What do you think?
By changing the colors, a geologic-strata-like surface emerges, and you can see the piece transforming from a two-dimensional work into a sculpture.
Even closer up, it’s obvious.
By varying the number of prints in each area, the layered thickness itself varies.
Another series, “tsurugi,” takes real mountains in Japan as its motif.
Using the contour lines of actual topographical maps, Imamura repeats the silkscreen process to build up layers, producing sculptures that take the form of mountains.
Printing equipment was also on display, along with a video of the making process.
The way accumulation of small things eventually connects into a larger form feels like something shared with our lives and society.
Contrasting it with Ayako Ishiba’s approach — presenting three-dimensional things as if planar — makes for an even more layered viewing experience.
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 and Endoji districts, etc.)
Toyota City (Toyota Municipal Museum of Art and downtown)
Organizer: Aichi Triennale Executive Committee
