My first ever (survey) group show in Japan—outside YCAM, obviously—finally came to a close today. It is funny how life comes full circle; I found myself back with the team at the Mori Art Museum, first as an artist in Sunshower (2017) and now co-curating this show. Through these two chapters, I’ve been exposed to and learned so much about the many layers of the exhibition-making process.
I truly enjoyed the journey of preparing this show: jumping on and off the Shinkansen, a sauna taxi ride in Tajimi, a hiking session in Yamagata, and all the conversations—on-site and online—with amazing artists who were kind enough to share their stories with us. None of it would have been as meaningful without my compatriots @haeju__kim , @manabuyahagi , and @tookuu .
Like anything in life, this exhibition wasn’t perfect. I think there is always a certain tension when you do a survey show—a constant questioning of whether we were diverse enough, challenging enough, or perhaps brave enough. Coordinating with 21 artists means the process is never without its friction and negotiation, but I am deeply grateful to every one of them for their patience and for navigating those complexities with us until the very end. We tried our best to create a platform where many voices related to the Japan art scene could be heard, and I hope this remains a core idea for Roppongi Crossing in the years to come.
Last but not least, a special thanks to @sonyasondakh and @twistedthursday for allowing us to borrow a beautiful poem from @damonosapardi for the exhibition title.
Big respect and thanks to you all!
@a.a.murakami@citizenbong@amefurashi.official@ikarauy geeinarsson @higaleo.n@naotakahiro@miyuhosoi@tomo_kihara@kiminsook_project@kitazawajun@takurokuwata@asukamiyata@maru_supi@wokyshoten@asami_shoji@shooshie_sulaiman@reijirowada@maya_watanabe_@carrie.yamaoka #zugakousakukurieto
Well, I don't know what I should say.
Thank you, perhaps.
Because the word sorry is not working well in our family, no?
I am glad we had to spend some time together a few months ago. Thank you for sharing your time, stories, food, and jokes with me.
While our lives were not always on good terms, at least we had a good laugh at the end of the day, wasn't it? I will cherish our memories forever.
I cannot be there to give you a proper farewell this time, but I hope our spirits can meet again someday.
Rest in joy!😊
Nyai Ester
(pokoknya sebelum Jepang tiba - 6 Desember 2024)
大規模アートプロジェクトが無事幕を閉じました。 とても充実した1ヶ月間を過ごすことができました。先ほど @grafishuruhara のメンバーとさよならをしてきてなんとも寂しいあったかい気持ちでいっぱいです。
地域の人との関わり、アートとの関わり、過去から未来へ続くまちづくり、これからの”のわ”を考える上でとても意味のあるプロジェクトになりました。ギャラリーとは正反対である今のパルルの特性をとても丁寧に汲み取ってくれた彼らには感謝の気持ちでいっぱいです。パルルがかつて新栄画廊だった時代の風格が不思議と立ち上がってきたように感じます。
場所が持つ時間軸、来場者との距離感をしっかり取り込みながらの作品展開はまさにインスタレーションで、とても丁寧かつ暖かい展示でした。
たくさんの人に見にきていただけて、この展示をきっかけにパルルのことを知ってくれたこともとても嬉しかったです。ありがとうございました!
@leonbarto@midorihirota@grafishuruhara@amysimonyetbali@asundoro_@bonitbonit@dhigel23@creativelinknagoya@daisyprintworks@daisysgrocery@nowa.shinsakae@shimmieiji
皆さま本当にありがとうございました!
GHH see you again !matane〜!!!
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A large-scale art project has come to a successful conclusion. I had a very fulfilling month.I just said goodbye to the members of GHH and I'm filled with a sad and warm feeling.This project has become very meaningful in terms of our relationship with local people, our relationship with art, town development that continues from the past to the future, and thinking about the future of "nowa." I am filled with gratitude to them for carefully capturing the characteristics of today's Parle, which is the complete opposite of a gallery. I feel that the style of the days when Parle was once Shinei Gallery has mysteriously come back to life. The work developed while taking into account the time axis of the place and the sense of distance from the visitors was truly an installation, and it was a very careful and warm exhibition. I was very happy that so many people came to see the exhibition and learned about Paruru through this exhibition. thank you very much!
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Posted by:yy
Our works from Iida Kaido Kikitori Art Project: Collaboration by @midorihirota and @grafishuruhara still on display until 3 March (Close on 26-28 February) at Parlwr. Please come if you around! 🙏🏽
Supported by @creativelinknagoya
Curated by @leonbarto
ありがとう 🫶🏼