【NEWS】biscuit gallery Curator Projects Vol. 2 − Group Exhibition Curated by waxogawa “enlighted things in a way to home”
biscuit gallery is pleased to announce the group exhibition, “enlighted things in a way to home,” curated by waxogawa, as the second installment of “biscuit gallery Curator Projects,” a project to support the activities of young curators. The exhibition will be held on all three floors of biscuit gallery from February 1, 2024.
In 2022, biscuit gallery launched “biscuit gallery Curator Projects,” a project to support the activities of young curators. The first exhibition was held in September 2022, “notes of shadows,” a duo show by Satoshi Kikuya and Kasumi Maeda, curated by Riho Matsue (currently a member of the Museum of Modern Art, Saitama’s curatorial board).
The exhibition was well received and was followed by a broad call for proposals for the next project with a large number of submissions. The new project selected from among them is the group exhibition “enlighted things in a way to home,” curated by waxogawa. The reason for the selection was not only the strength of the project, but also the realism of the description of the project and the concrete plans and action plans for its realization.
Six artists will participate in the exhibition: Christos Mavrodis (Netherlands), Yuan Fangzhou (China), Kotaro Tanaka, Lily Spacey, Nana Soeda, peronmi (all based in Japan). The exhibition will be on view from February 1 to February 28, 2024.
Yuan Fangzhou “Umi no ao wo koko ni mottekuru”, glass, 230×610×410mm, 2020
This volume’s curator, waxogawa, is current studying Media and Governance at Keio University. Previous exhibitions include “cubed of conjunction” (2022, Shinjuku Ophthalmology Gallery) and “kɯ̟ᵝzɨᵝɾe̞^崩れ” (2023, Decameron).
waxogawa, who has a severe congenital hearing loss, while not been affiliated with any particular field, has launched curatorial projects from his position at the periphery of both academia and art education, and majority/minority status.
waxogawa’s previous exhibition, kɯ̟ᵝzɨᵝɾe̞^崩れ(2023, Decameron).
Part of the title of the exhibition, “in a way to home,” symbolizes the journey home from language training that waxogawa experienced as a child: the weekly memories of his parents dropping him off and picking him up, the five-hour round trip to the hospital ward, the series of tail lights on the highway, the opening up of society through the process of language acquisition, and the journey back to his parents. The symbolism of the project is the opening up of society through the process of language acquisition.
This project is filled with waxogawa’s desire to practice “standing alone, gladly in solitude” from his own position and experience.
This exhibition will present new works by six artists who agree with waxogawa’s vision, and will occupy three floors of biscuit gallery.
This project is scheduled to continue with more volumes in the future.
Curator Profile
waxogawa
Born in 2001 with severe congenital hearing loss in both ears. Acquired language through language training. Studying Media and Governance at Keio University.
He has been experimenting with art management theory and practice as a 3rd year student of the University of Tokyo’s AMSEA, Arts Management Development Project for Society-Oriented Arts, and as co-chair of the regional art festival “Minato Media Museum”. He is currently a member of artist-run residence “6okken” located in Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi, and curator of NEORT++ (Bakurocho, Nihonbashi).
Artist Profile
Yuan Fangzhou
Born in Liaoning Province, China, he came to Japan after graduating from Tsinghua University with a BFA in Crafts in 2018, and received his MFA from Tokyo University of the Arts in 2020. Currently, he is enrolled in the doctoral program of Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Crafts, and is mostly works in Tokyo, Japan. Focusing on the relationship between people, objects, and nature, and based on his own philosophy influenced by Eastern thought such as post-minimalism and Buddhism, he develops works at the intersection of multiple media and techniques including sculpture, painting, and video, with a focus on glass materials.
Christos Mavrodis
Born 1995, in Greece. He is currently based in the Netherlands after studying Audio Visual Arts. His artistic practice takes place in the emergence of fictional works that reflect the complexities of contemporary life. His process emphasizes improvisation and intuition, presenting a semantic environment that evokes a sense of reflection and introspection in a series of organic works. It is an opportunity to confront fundamental questions of existence and the mysteries of experience.
Nana Soeda
Studied art in Japan and London. Influenced by Asian toys, billboards, and junk, she expresses her love for “cheapness” and her resentment and sadness toward the senselessness of society in her two-dimensional works, sculptures, and animations. In 2023, she held a solo exhibition at “YUKIKO MIZUTANI,” Terada Art Complex II. In addition, she has participated in various projects and exhibitions such as “3D ART PROJECT” organized by Isetan Mitsukoshi and “P.O.N.D” festival at Parco Shibuya.
Kotaro Tanaka
Born 2001. He mainly creates three-dimensional works dealing with the reverberations created inside materials. After graduating from the Department of Music at Tokyo University of the Arts, he has been involved in the construction of art exhibitions while continuing his creative activities.
https://www.instagram.com/kota.ko.t/
pelonmi
Born 1987. Paints the things they see and feel everyday.
https://www.instagram.com/pelonmi_/
Lily Spacey
Born 1998, in Aomori. After graduating from the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies at Keio University, she moved to Osaka, where she has been creating music and animation.
https://www.instagram.com/lilyspacey/
Information
biscuit gallery Curator Projects Vol.2 “enlightened things in a way to home”
Dates: February 1 (Thu) – Feb 18, 2024 (Sun)
Time: 11:00 – 19:00
*Closed Monday – Wednesday
Free Admission
Sponsored by biscuit gallery
Curator: waxogawa
Participating Artists: Yuan Fangzhou, Christos Mavrodi, Nana Soeda, Kotaro Tanaka, peronmi, Lily Spacey