The concept behind the project is “HANASHI”, meaning dialogue. In this work, made with Elisa Gyssels and Matteo Soravia, we sought to capture the artist’s own philosophy to guide the design of the exhibition itself.
The shape and structure of the space is square, with a tatami in the center. Visitors can choose to start the exhibition path from any side: one side begins with Ikko’s more “oriental-culture” driven projects, while the other focuses on his “west-style” influences.
The exhibition will therefore highlight the dialogue between cultures, concepts, people, and differences, taking visitors on a journey between East and West through Tanaka Ikko’s work. It will explore fundamental concepts from the artist’s culture, such as “ma,” “enso,” “shibui,” “bokugi,” and jazz.
The artworks are displayed to encourage interaction with the materials and techniques used in their creation. Additionally, the angle at which they are exhibited is designed to provide a better view from a standing position.
The central space is reserved for performances and thematic installations. As the exhibition is designed to be itinerant, the tatami will host a new cultural experience based on the country where it is currently installed.
