Throughout Time: The Sense of Beauty
At the Ninomaru Palace Kitchen and Osuzusho (both Important Cultural Properties) of Nijo Castle in Kyoto—a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site—the exhibition “Throughout Time: The Sense of Beauty,” advised by Fumio Nanjo, director of the Mori Art Museum, and Kohei Nawa, was held.
Bringing together Japan’s proud historical architecture and artists who lead the country’s contemporary art scene, this exhibition felt like a magnificent collaboration—an excellent project.
Kohei Nawa
The PixCell-series deer, placed on the earthen entry floor of the Ninomaru Palace Kitchen, appeared under the darkened lighting like a guardian deity—majestic and solemn in presence.
Removing our shoes and stepping up onto the wooden platform, we found a video piece projected on a massive screen.
Sitting on the wood floor, we became immersed in its world of images and sound. It was a soothing experience that made us forget the heat outside.
Aiko Miyanaga
Aiko Miyanaga, known for her works using naphthalene, seemed to be posing questions about “history” through her clock-motif work.
Ito Jakuchu
The work by Kyoto painter Ito Jakuchu was a replica produced by the Hosomi Museum in Kyoto.
RINne Associe
The collaboration work between Ito Jakuchu and Hatsune Miku was created by RINne Associe.
RINne Associe is a project team organized by the Hosomi Museum.
Mika Aoki
Mika Aoki’s glass works arrayed on the tatami mats had a serene presence and were truly wonderful.
Katsunori Kobayashi
Katsunori Kobayashi’s bronze sculpture “Mountain Specimens” harmonized and fused with the scenery outside—it was deeply moving.
Yoshiaki Mukoyama
Yoshiaki Mukoyama’s work, blended with natural light, seemed to have color tones that subtly wavered. It appeared to respond not only to light but also to wind, time, and the vibrations of our footsteps—minimal, yet with an immense presence.
Katsuhito Nishikawa
Attached to the main hall was a small room, dimly lit inside. Placed quietly within was Katsuhito Nishikawa’s sculpture “Courant ascendant I.” The title is French for “updraft.”
In contrast to the title, the space felt as though the air itself had stopped moving—as if solemn time was being carved out within.
teamLab
teamLab’s video work was also shown in a small room adjoining the main hall.
Many visitors sat on the tatami and viewed it at length. It was a wonderful video piece.
Yoshihiro Suda
The exquisitely crafted “Baby’s Breath” is by Yoshihiro Suda. We loved the way it seemed to blend into its display setting.
Kei Miyama
Kei Miyama’s contribution was an installation composed of flat vessels painted on a folding screen and actual vessels that seemed to leap out from within it.
Running only four days, this exhibition “Throughout Time: The Sense of Beauty” came to a close.
At Nijo Castle—a site with a powerful sense of place—we were able to feel “a dialogue with history.”
The two works by Kohei Nawa at the entrance seemed to set the tone for the entire show. They showed us the sheer power of a talented artist. The PixCell-series deer had, in our experience, the strongest presence we have ever seen from that series.
It was a truly outstanding project!
