Posted:Aug 21, 2009

Childish Wisdom

A collaborative experiment in purposeful childishness at No.12 gallery.

“We embrace childhood and the unconfident mark, we revel in it. Within the work there is a playfulness and a conscious naivety. The work seeks to involve people, invite reminiscence and familiarity, pulling from common experiences and aesthetics to generate new experiences. It is practiced oddness. It is a purposeful childishness.”
James Gulliver Hancock and Lenka, from their manifesto.

James Gulliver Hancock and Lenka.
James Gulliver Hancock and Lenka.
Photo: Olivier Krischer

Chances are you haven’t been No.12 Gallery, which is a shame! Hina Hirano and her husband have been welcoming all sorts of creative stuff into their cosy space for five years already. Mr. Hirano also runs a pro photo studio two levels up; and sandwiched in between on the second floor is an independent record label. Tres hip.
Hina Hirano (right) and guests.
Hina Hirano (right) and guests.
Photo: Olivier Krischer

Photo: Olivier Krischer

An animation in one corner.
An animation in one corner.
Photo: Olivier Krischer

Screen print posters on the opposite wall.
Screen print posters on the opposite wall.
Photo: Olivier Krischer

James and Lenka in stitches...
James and Lenka in stitches...
Photo: Olivier Krischer

Originally from Australia, the pair is based in L.A at the moment, where Lenka has recording contracts for her well-known music. She was also in Japan to perform at the Summer Sonic music festival in Tokyo and Osaka.
Photo: Olivier Krischer

Lenka's sheet music in the gallery.
Lenka's sheet music in the gallery.
Photo: Olivier Krischer

More of James Gulliver Hancock’s solo and collaborative projects are on his website.
James Gulliver Hancock and his work.
James Gulliver Hancock and his work.
Photo: Olivier Krischer

Olivier Krischer

Olivier Krischer

Olivier is a relative newcomer to Japan, but has been an outside observer for many years. While trying to concentrate on researching recent artistic exchanges between Japan and China, he instead often ends up seeing 'yet another' exhibition. He doesn’t like admitting it, but he harbours photographic aspirations, depending on the weather. He has long focused his interest on photomedia, issues surrounding modernity in Asia, as well as recent art from China, Korea and Japan.