Seen: 平成和紺名紋帳展 Heisei Konnamon Chouten
Who: 小林一毅 Ikki Kobayashi (CC) / 鎌村和貴 Kazuki Kamamura (tumblr)
Where: OCO Gallery, Tokyo
When: October 13-21, 2018 (12:00-19:00 / 最終日17:00 close)
Graphic designer Ikki Kobayashi and calligraphist Kazuki Kamamura recently collaborated on a clever and beautiful project that draws from Japanese visual traditions.
Kobayashi’s sly mon emblems pull distinctly modern motifs rooted in the Heisei era in which both artists were born and raised. Close inspection reveals multiple foodstuffs, toys- even schoolgirl braids- while some items are readily identifiable others - such as kanpyo-maki rolls - are presented in a way where the form overwhelms the content. Deciphering the designs part of the fun.
Kamamura’s calligraphy compliments the images with wild stokes expressing thoughts, puns, and manga-like sound effects for each picture.
The show centered on the newly offset-published and hand-(japanese thread )bound book which two created. Kobayashi’s original drawings were pinned on one wall, while Kamamura’s original writing was on another. The project takes itself just serious enough to be well considered and finely executed- but light enough to be enjoyed by anyone who sees it.
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Normally I use this space to share Tokyo’s many photography exhibitions but I admire anyone who commits to working with materials as basic as ink on paper. Similar to exposing light onto film this is a medium of suddenness and permanence- one that demands of the artist trust in the nature of the materials and confidence in the possibility that what can be created is worth the risk.