Re-imagine

2014

Installation with pre-modern artworks from the museum collection and mass-produced objects that the artist procured in Fukuoka

Exhibited at

In Search of Critical Imagination, Fukuoka Art Museum, Fukuoka, Japan (2014)

Re-imagine

Materials used in the installation

Earthenware bowl with Buddhist figure in line engraving
8th century, bronze, D.24.4, H.11.7
Stainless steel bowl, designed by Yanagi Sori,
before 2013, stainless steel, D.15.6, H.11.7
purchased at Day&Day’s store in AEON Mall Kashiihama, Fukuoka

Cock, Attributed to Tawaraya Sotatsu(?−?)
17th century, ink on paper, 96.2 × 44.5

Incense box, decorated in maki-e lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay with design of chrysanthemums
13th century, lacquered wood, H. 3.0, 6.2 × 6.2
Spice box with design of peonies, Hasami ware
before 2013, porcelain, H.4.5, D.5.8
purchased at AEON Mall Kashiihama, Fukuoka

Table decorated in mother-of-pearl inlay with lotus petal design
10th-12th century, lacquered wood, H. 33.4, 27.0 × 57.9

Gobelin fabric-fitted shoji
2014, fabric, wood, 192 × 87 (each)

STAVE Mirror
before 2013, fiberboard, foil, glass, 160 × 40 × 5
purchased at IKEA Fukuoka Shingu

Set of mukozuke bowls in the shape of sansho (Japanese pepper corns), Agano ware
17th century, pottery, H.7.6, D.11.0 (each)
Set of small dishes in the shape of balloon flower
before 2013, porcelain, H.1.9, D.6.5 (each)
purchased at Daiso in the Shoppers Fukuoka

Large plate with landscape design in underglazed blue in Nabeshima style, Arita ware
17-18th century, porcelain, D.29.5, H.7.7
Plate with design in Koimari style
before 2013, porcelain, D.24.5, H.7.7
purchased at Daiso in the Shoppers Fukuoka

The installation consists of old and new objects. The old ones were loaned from the museum’s permanent collection, which included a traditional landscape painting, earthenware bowls, a folding screen, and a table from the 8-17th century. The modern objects were procured, in 2 days, by the artist in shops near the museum, such as a 1-Euro shop, a shopping centre and an IKEA store. The old “art” collections and modern commodities are shown side by side in the glass showcase without captions, therefore, the visitors could not immediately recognize which is which and what is what. This installation was made to pose a question as to the present system of marketing and consumerism while paying homage to the ancient and pre-modern objects and their creative spirit.

Photo by

Shintaro Yamanaka