Jose Dávila "I prefer to see with closed eyes －in conversation with Josef Albers"
Museum of Modern Art, Gunma
Until Apr 6
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Artists
Jose Dávila
Based in Guadalajara, Mexico, Jose Dávila (1974- ) is known for his three-dimensional works that combine familiar materials such as metal, glass, and boulders in a delicate equilibrium, as well as works that quote and reflect on the work of 20th century artists and architects.
Since the 2010s, Dávila has repeatedly drawn on the series Homage to the Square by Josef Albers (1888-1976), one of the most important abstract artists. While Albers experimented with color schemes in his paintings by layering squares, Dávila develops these squares using materials such as stainless steel and ceramic to create three-dimensional works that change its forms and colors with time and light.
This exhibition, Dávila’s first full-scale exhibition in a Japanese museum, will feature a painting and prints from Albers’ Homage to the Square, alongside works by Dávila based on this series. The exhibition will show Albers’ exploration of form and color, which has fascinated people throughout the ages as well as Dávila’s challenge to create new art through conversation with the art history.
The exhibition title is a reference to Albers’ words in an interview in which he said, “For me, abstraction is real. Maybe more real than nature. … Abstraction is close to my heart. I prefer to see with closed eyes.” *.
Inspired by these words, Dávila himself designed this exhibition, which is itself a tribute to Albers. It will also resonate with the architectural space designed by Arata Isozaki (1931-2022) using the cubic element as a motif. We hope you will enjoy this timeless encounter between artists.
*Katharine Kuh, Artist’s Voice: Talk with Seventeen Artists, Harper&Row,1962.
Since the 2010s, Dávila has repeatedly drawn on the series Homage to the Square by Josef Albers (1888-1976), one of the most important abstract artists. While Albers experimented with color schemes in his paintings by layering squares, Dávila develops these squares using materials such as stainless steel and ceramic to create three-dimensional works that change its forms and colors with time and light.
This exhibition, Dávila’s first full-scale exhibition in a Japanese museum, will feature a painting and prints from Albers’ Homage to the Square, alongside works by Dávila based on this series. The exhibition will show Albers’ exploration of form and color, which has fascinated people throughout the ages as well as Dávila’s challenge to create new art through conversation with the art history.
The exhibition title is a reference to Albers’ words in an interview in which he said, “For me, abstraction is real. Maybe more real than nature. … Abstraction is close to my heart. I prefer to see with closed eyes.” *.
Inspired by these words, Dávila himself designed this exhibition, which is itself a tribute to Albers. It will also resonate with the architectural space designed by Arata Isozaki (1931-2022) using the cubic element as a motif. We hope you will enjoy this timeless encounter between artists.
*Katharine Kuh, Artist’s Voice: Talk with Seventeen Artists, Harper&Row,1962.
Schedule Now in session | Mar 1 (Sat) 2025-Apr 6 (Sun) 2025 10 days left Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Adults ¥300; University and High School Students ¥150; Junior High School Students and Under, Persons with Disability Certificates + 1 Companion free. | ||||
| Website | https://mmag.pref.gunma.jp/exhibition/exhibition-4949 | ||||
| Venue | Museum of Modern Art, Gunma http://mmag.pref.gunma.jp/english/ | ||||
| Location | Gunmanomori Park, 992-1 Watanuki-machi, Takasaki-shi, Gunma 370-1293 | ||||
| Access | 10 minutes by taxi from JR Shinmachi Station, 15 minutes by taxi from the South exit of JR Kuragano Station; From the East exit of Takasaki Station, take the bus for 30 minutes and get off at Gunmanomori. The venue is 5 minute walk from there. | ||||
| Phone | 027-346-5560 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it  |
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