Yukimasa Ida “Sisou | Ontology”
I visited Yukimasa Ida’s solo exhibition “Sisou | Ontology,” his first solo show in Japan in approximately two years.
The venue is RICOH ART GALLERY in Ginza.
His previous solo exhibition was a large-scale show held at Kaikai Kiki Gallery in February 2020.
This exhibition presents works produced using three printing techniques – Stare Reap, lithograph, and silkscreen – and is his first exhibition consisting solely of print works.
Stare Reap
“Stare Reap,” a proprietary technology developed by RICOH, is distinguished by its three-dimensionally raised painterly surface, and has already been presented as a work in the special edition of Ida’s art book “Crystallization.”
Lithograph
Silkscreen
The silkscreens feature the same motif in six color variations.
Ida’s works have come to trade at high prices even at overseas auctions.
Most recently, at Sotheby’s on 10 October 2021, a 30×25 cm work far exceeded its estimate and hammered at 567,000 HKD (approximately 8.3 million yen).
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/contemporary-art-day-sale-2/yukimasa-ida-jing-tian-xing-chang-tears-yan-lei
Although the works in this exhibition are prints, they are being sold at prices ranging from 300,000 to 600,000 yen.
Since a regular painting could have been purchased for this amount just a few years ago, as a longtime fan I am moved by complicated feelings.
While it is heartening to see him shift his focus to global activity and grow increasingly well known, I feel sadness at the rising prices that accompany his popularity. I left the venue with the mixed feeling that I may never again be able to acquire one of his paintings.
