Japanese and Congolese art appear in an exhibit at the Garage Center for Contemporary Art. Swedish artist and first-time curator Carsten Höller thought up the exhibit based on Italian photographer Jean Pigozzi’s collection of Japanese and Congolese art.
Japanese and Congolese art appear in an exhibit at the Garage Center for Contemporary Art. Swedish artist and first-time curator Carsten Höller thought up the exhibit based on Italian photographer Jean Pigozzi’s collection of Japanese and Congolese art. The combination is intended as an abstract work of art in its own right, inviting viewers to rely on their own intuition to compare the two. Photo: Carsten Höller
Sixteen Congolese artists (including Pierre Bodo, Chéri Samba, Pathy Tshindele, Jean Depara, Cheik Ledy and Bodys Isek Kingelez) and 47 Japanese artists (including Natsumi Nagao, Erina Matsui, Nobuyoshi Araki, Akihiro Higuchi, Kazuna Taguchi, Teppei Kaneuji, Hiroki Tsukuda and Keiichi Tanaami) are represented in the exhibit. Photo: “Generation Gap,” a painting by Cheri Cherin.
Jean Pigozzi’s collection has expanded over the last 20 years, and now features more than 10,000 works, including posters, postcards, paintings, installations and sculptures. Of them, 300 were selected for this exhibit.
The works are divided into two groups based on their national origin, and are displayed across from each other along the walls of a corridor. The exhibit organizers see this arrangement as an opportunity for visitors to feel and compare, becoming a bridge between the similarities and differences of the two cultures.
“I like comparing the crazy Africa with the more reserved Japan, the cruder African art with the more refined Japanese art,” said Jean Pigozzi. He has been expanding his collection of Japanese and Congolese art for more than 20 years.
Japanese artist Erina Matsui usually paints herself in an imaginary, frightening space surrounded by mushrooms and toys. Matsui says that she paints things that she feels closest to. Photo: Matsui with her self-portrait.
Congolese artist Pathy Tshindele compares his work with children's play, and says that his first galleries were the streets of his home town.
The exhibit will be on display until August 14, 2011.
