Nobuaki Takekawa: AMIGOS

15 Aug -26 Sep 2020 | Tokyo

  • "From GSOMIA to AMIGOS" by AMIGOS (2020)

  • Ota Fine Arts Tokyo presents AMIGOS, a solo exhibition by Nobuaki Takekawa. This marks his first solo exhibition in five years at our Tokyo gallery space, while he continues to be active both in Japan and overseas. In this presentation, Takekawa expands his practice through a new body of work consisting of paintings, prints and a performance video by AMIGOS. The exhibition runs from now to 26th September 2020.

  • In the autumn of 2019, Takekawa visited Okcheon, Korea with several friends. It was around the time when discord arose... In the autumn of 2019, Takekawa visited Okcheon, Korea with several friends. It was around the time when discord arose... In the autumn of 2019, Takekawa visited Okcheon, Korea with several friends. It was around the time when discord arose... In the autumn of 2019, Takekawa visited Okcheon, Korea with several friends. It was around the time when discord arose... In the autumn of 2019, Takekawa visited Okcheon, Korea with several friends. It was around the time when discord arose... In the autumn of 2019, Takekawa visited Okcheon, Korea with several friends. It was around the time when discord arose... In the autumn of 2019, Takekawa visited Okcheon, Korea with several friends. It was around the time when discord arose... In the autumn of 2019, Takekawa visited Okcheon, Korea with several friends. It was around the time when discord arose... In the autumn of 2019, Takekawa visited Okcheon, Korea with several friends. It was around the time when discord arose... In the autumn of 2019, Takekawa visited Okcheon, Korea with several friends. It was around the time when discord arose...

    In the autumn of 2019, Takekawa visited Okcheon, Korea with several friends. It was around the time when discord arose between Korea and Japan with Korea's abandonment of GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement) – a military intelligence pact made between South Korea and Japan – which caused an uproar in regards to the issues of forced labor. Takekawa noticed that the alphabets of 'GSOMIA' could be rearranged to form the word 'AMIGOS', which led to his formation of a Mexican-style performing group associated with the word. They presented a cheerful and somewhat ridiculous performance as the opening act for an event in Okcheon.

  • For this exhibition, AMIGOS presents another performance in the gallery. In the recording, we see 6 members taking turns to enter the room with their own little dance, each wearing a letter from the word ‘GSOMIA’ over a Mexican or cactus costume. They move behind a long table and re-adjust their positions comically to form the word AMIGOS, then bond over a meal of fried chicken and drinks, which is commonly consumed in Korea. AMIGOS hopes to form an entity that injects incredible brightness between the complicated relationship of Japan and Korea and resist against the historical revisionism.

  • Alongside the performance recording, Takekawa also presents 8 vibrant woodblock prints which are influenced by several Korean TV drama series... Alongside the performance recording, Takekawa also presents 8 vibrant woodblock prints which are influenced by several Korean TV drama series... Alongside the performance recording, Takekawa also presents 8 vibrant woodblock prints which are influenced by several Korean TV drama series...

    Alongside the performance recording, Takekawa also presents 8 vibrant woodblock prints which are influenced by several Korean TV drama series that he watched during the Stay Home period in Japan.  

     

    The artist started making woodblock prints in 2016 and while it is still a relatively new medium for Takekawa, it plays an important role in his artistic activities. Woodcut is attractive with its catchy poster-like quality and powerful carved lines, and has been used to convey messages from political and social movements throughout the modernization of Asia. Takekawa found the medium to be fitting in expressing his thoughts on social issues today.

  • Takekawa is participating in 'Yokohama Triennale 2020 'Afterglow'' as part of the artist collective Printing Sound. The collective launched an...

    Printing Sound banner for a workshop held at Xuanwu lake (Nanjing, China), 2019.

    Takekawa is participating in 'Yokohama Triennale 2020 "Afterglow"' as part of the artist collective Printing Sound. The collective launched an online project 'SURE INN' for the Triennale. Artworks and objects arising out of their activities are exhibited at PLOT 48 in Yokohama.

     

    Find out more about Takekawa's participation in the Triennale here and the online project, SURE INN here. 

  • Works in the exhibition

    • Nobuaki Takekawa Cooking Battle, Smoked Chilli, 2020 Woodblock print on paper 130 x 97 cm Edition of 5
      Nobuaki Takekawa
      Cooking Battle, Smoked Chilli, 2020
      Woodblock print on paper
      130 x 97 cm
      Edition of 5
      Enquire
    • Nobuaki Takekawa Tree of Non-life, 2020 Woodblock print on paper 130 x 97 cm Edition of 5
      Nobuaki Takekawa
      Tree of Non-life, 2020
      Woodblock print on paper
      130 x 97 cm
      Edition of 5
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    • Nobuaki Takekawa Camellia Flower & Ethnic Costume, 2020 Woodblock print on paper 130 x 97 cm Edition of 5
      Nobuaki Takekawa
      Camellia Flower & Ethnic Costume, 2020
      Woodblock print on paper
      130 x 97 cm
      Edition of 5
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    • Nobuaki Takekawa Bird, 2020 Woodblock print on paper 130 x 97 cm Edition of 5
      Nobuaki Takekawa
      Bird, 2020
      Woodblock print on paper
      130 x 97 cm
      Edition of 5
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    • Nobuaki Takekawa Wise Painter Life, 2020 Woodblock print on paper 130 x 97 cm Edition of 5
      Nobuaki Takekawa
      Wise Painter Life, 2020
      Woodblock print on paper
      130 x 97 cm
      Edition of 5
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    • Nobuaki Takekawa Mr. Cactus & Resistance Woman, 2020 Woodblock print on paper 130 x 97 cm Edition of 5
      Nobuaki Takekawa
      Mr. Cactus & Resistance Woman, 2020
      Woodblock print on paper
      130 x 97 cm
      Edition of 5
      Enquire
    • Nobuaki Takekawa Best Friend Like a Cactus, 2020 Woodblock print on paper 130 x 97 cm Edition of 5
      Nobuaki Takekawa
      Best Friend Like a Cactus, 2020
      Woodblock print on paper
      130 x 97 cm
      Edition of 5
      Enquire
    • Nobuaki Takekawa Lover is a Grim Reaper, 2020 Woodblock print on paper 130 x 97 cm Edition of 5
      Nobuaki Takekawa
      Lover is a Grim Reaper, 2020
      Woodblock print on paper
      130 x 97 cm
      Edition of 5
      Enquire
    • Nobuaki Takekawa Mexican Ajeossi, 2020 water color, ink on paper mounted on wooden panel 91 x 72.7 cm
      Nobuaki Takekawa
      Mexican Ajeossi, 2020
      water color, ink on paper mounted on wooden panel
      91 x 72.7 cm
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    • Nobuaki Takekawa AMIGOS in the Cactus Field, 2020 water color, charcoal, ink, color pencil, lame on paper mounted on wooden panel 100 x 161 cm
      Nobuaki Takekawa
      AMIGOS in the Cactus Field, 2020
      water color, charcoal, ink, color pencil, lame on paper mounted on wooden panel
      100 x 161 cm
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    • Nobuaki Takekawa Where Am I ?, 2020 Acrylic, permanent marker on canvas 130.3 x 194 cm
      Nobuaki Takekawa
      Where Am I ?, 2020
      Acrylic, permanent marker on canvas
      130.3 x 194 cm
      Enquire

  • Installation Views
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  • Nobuaki Takekawa (b. 1977, Tokyo, Japan) is currently based in Saitama, Japan. Find out more about the artist here.