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The “Hiraku Project” is conceived as a series of exhibitions introducing contemporary artworks by Pola Art Foundation Grant recipients. The exhibitions are to be held at the Atrium Gallery, recently established to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Pola Museum of Art. “Hiraku” translates as ‘open,’ in the sense of ‘responsive to new possibilities.’ We are pleased to present Kei Takemura’s Which second is the most excited? as the second exhibition in our HIRAKU Project.

Covering drawings and photos with embroidered thin cloth, Takemura narrates the story of her personal life, the lives of her close friends and, with memories, reconstructs what has been lost or forgotten. With glue and stitches of thread that shine white on the diaphanous cloth wrappings, she produces a series of “renovated” personal objects that had been damaged by wear and tear, and creates a new aesthetic value.

This exhibition is themed on coincidence and memory of collected chance moments. Takemura’s recent playing card motif works speak to shared meaning across different cultures. Twenty-four works of her Playing Cards 2017, Austrian Cards on German Cards series feature German cards in the foreground overlaid with Austrian card designs embroidered on fabric with Japanese silk thread, to portray images of chance and the compatibility of diverse time and place. Using the motif of the popular Indonesian card game of Dominos sewing images with sturdy Japanese silk thread into thin cloth, her Playing Dominos in J. City as well captures the chance shapes of the lines of cards that materialize when people gather by chance for a game.

We sincerely hope visitors will enjoy the beauty of the accidental moment captured by Takemura.

KEI TAKEMURA

 

Kei Takemura (b. 1975, Tokyo), lives and works in Takasaki. Takemura has continued to present works that are comprised of overlapping a layer of embroidered cloth on to a photograph or drawing. Takemura participated in the 15th Biennale of Sydney, and has consistently continued to strengthen her international presence while expanding her areas of activity. Major solo exhibition include A part Apart, Tokyo Wonder Site,Tokyo (2008), Kei Takemura, Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore, Singapore(2012),Which second was the most beautiful?, Galerie Patrick Ebensperger, Berlin(2017).

Playing Cards 2017, Austrian Cards on German Cards

2017

German trumps made in 1900s, Japanese silk thread, synthetic fabric
105x57mm(each) 24pieces

©Kei Takemura

Drawing for “Playing Dominos in J.City”

2017

1000×1658mm

©Kei Takemura

May I open the book?

2014

Print on cotton fabric, Japanese silk thread, synthetic fabric
203x280cm

©Kei Takemura

1. Playing Cards 2017,Austrian Cards on German Cards 2017 German trumps made in 1900s, Japanese silk thread, synthetic fabric 105x57mm (each) 24 pieces

 

2. Playing Cards Unlimited 1 2017 Lithograph 780x540mm

 

3. Playing Cards Unlimited 2 2017 Lithograph 780x540mm

 

4. Playing Cards Unlimited 3 2017 Lithograph 780x540mm

 

5. Playing Dominos in J.City 2017 Black and white print on fabric, Japanese silk thread, synthetic fabric 1658x1000mm

 

6. Playing Dominos in J.City and T.City 2017 Photograph, Japanese silk thread, synthetic fabric 508x610mm

 

7. Playing Dominos in T.City 2017 Photograph, Japanese silk thread, synthetic fabric 203x254mm

 

Special exhibits May I open the book? 2014 Print on cotton fabric, Japanese silk thread, synthetic fabric 203x280cm 3pieces

HIRAKU PROJECT VOL.2

KEI TAKEMURA

Which second is the most excited?

January 13 sat, 2018 – March 11 Sun, 2018

Organized by:Pola Museum of Art, Pola Art Foundation

Venue: Atrium Gallery, Pola Museum of Art, In cooperation with Taka Ishii Gallery