KOSHO ITO WORKS 1974-2009 _Order and Chaos_
In August Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT) presents Kosho Ito [KOSHO ITO WORKS 1974-2009], a major retrospective exhibition. Kosho Ito (1932- ) is an artist who uses clay to create large-scale installations.
Born in the family of the metal engraving of Kanazawa, Ito got his start in the world of traditional ceramics but thereafter embarked into experimental works that questioned established art concepts. He has since been active in the contemporary art field earning him international accolade. In 1978, he represented Japan at the Triennale-India, where he was awarded the Gold Medal and also participated in the Venice-Biennale as the Japanese representative in 1984.
Ito uses various types of clay in his works. They range from porcelain clay called Kaolin, to a more reddish-clay that contains substantial amount of iron as well as a type that can be found in Kasama, Ibaraki prefecture, where he now lives. Depending on the characteristics of the clay, the resulting effect differs in kaleidoscopic ways. His innovative techniques include freezing of the clay and slicing up of soft clay with a cord and deforming it spontaneously by hand.
Ito pays close attention to the various transformations of the medium. An artificial intermediate process is kept to a minimum as he ultimately valued the delicate nuances of the clay and consciously focused on the fundamental nature of the medium. Cracks and ruffles that appear on the surface of Ito's works create an illusion to the viewer as if they are alive-so vibrant and full of life. Consequently, his creation is born under a dialogue one has with nature and its organic ways.
Exhibition Information
| Period: | Aug 1 sat - Oct 4 sun |
| Closed on: | Mondays (except for Aug10, Aug 17, Sept 21 and Sept 28) |
| Opening Hours: | 10:00-18:00 (tickets available until 17:30) |
| Venue: | Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT) |
| Organized by: | Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture / Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo / The Yomiuri Shimbun / The Japan Association of Art Museums |
| Supported by: | Lion Corporation / SHIMIZU CORPORATION / Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. |
| In Cooperated with: | Hewlett-Packard Japan, Ltd. / Fukagawa Shiryokan Avenue Shopping Street Cooperative Society |
| Admission: | Adults 1000yen (800yen) / College & University Students 800yen(640yen)/ High school & Junior High school & Adults Over 65-500yen(400yen) *( ) price for a group, over 20 people *Free entry to MOT permanent collection for ticket holders *Half price for "The Colors of Mary Blair" ticket holders. (Must be viewed on the same day) |
| Number of works: | Approx.20 |
Events
*Programs are only offered in Japanese.
*Please check MOT website for further details.
- Artist Talk Sep 20 <13:00-14:00>
- Touch & Talk Aug 9, Aug 23 and Sep19 <11:00-12:00>
- Silver Day Aug 19 and Sep 16
*free entry for those over 65 on these dates - Art Picnic "Himitsu no Kansatsu" Aug 22 and Aug 23 <13:30-15:30>
*For 3rd-6th grade students - Workshop "How to create Ito's works" Sep 13 <13:00-15:30>
*For those above junior school students
Eros of Alumina (White Solidities are...), 1984 Courtesy: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo Photo: Yoshitaka Uchida
Folds of Clay-Blue Freeze, 2007 Courtesy: Artist Photo: Yoshitaka Uchida
Kino-Niku, Tsuchi-no-Ha, 1991 Courtesy: Takamatsu City Museum of Art Photo: Yoshitaka Uchida