Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store of the Isetan Mitsukoshi Group will launch contemporary art exhibition "KOGEI Future Forward" on February 15, showcasing 15 Japanese artists' 30 contemporary art works.

"Kogei" is a Japanese word that was created at the dawn of the Meiji Period (1868-1912) to correspond to the English word "craft." Across the Meiji, Taisho, Showa and Heisei years, the artistry of kogei craft was refined as it underwent various changes. Today, kogei is highly regarded as fine art. This exhibition understands kogei in a free way, and spotlights 15 Japanese artists presenting works as contemporary art. The exhibition shows kogei to the world as a uniquely Japanese fine art.

The Isetan Mitsukoshi Group, the largest department store group in Japan, rediscovers values created by Japanese tradition, culture and aesthetic consciousness and offer them to its customers as new values. Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store, Japan's first department store (founded in 1673), strives to be more than a simple store, but a cultural resort for all our customers to enjoy.

- KOGEI Future Forward

February 15-20

Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store, Main building 1F, Chuo Hall

Artists

KOGEI Future Forward official website (works and biography):

http://www.mitsukoshiguide.jp/kogei-futureforward/artists.html

HIROSHI KITANI

KATSUYO AOKI

KODO AOKI

KOJI HATAKEYAMA

MASAYASU MITSUKE

MIDORI TSUKADA

NOBUYUKI TANAKA

NORITAKA TATEHANA

RITSUE MISHIMA

SHINKYO NAKAMURA

SHINYA YAMAMURA

TAKASHI IKURA

TAKUO NAKAMURA

TAKURO KUWATA

YOSHINORI TSUCHIYA

TAKURO KUWATA

Takuro Kuwata's appeal lies in his broad expression that straddles both craft and contemporary art. Bold forms and bright pop colors give rise to contemporary textures and rhythms. The exhibition works use "kairagi," an effect produced when glazing cracks upon firing. Kuwata has used this kairagi effect with own interpretation, much as he employs "ishihaze," which appears on the surface when stones mixed in the clay explode through firing, and "hizumi," referring to distortions in the vessel, treating them as contemporary expressions.

This event will be conducted as a trial research project for the governmental "Basic Policy for Promoting Measures related to Preparations for and Management of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020."

Full version press release:

http://pdf.irpocket.com/C3099/Wc5N/Xxq3/AZKB.pdf

Corporate website:

http://www.imhds.co.jp/english/

Images: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/opn/release/201702078586/?images

Source: Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.