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Yoshiki Tanaka "Werewolf Legend"
Art Center Ongoing
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Artists
Yoshiki Tanaka
Yoshiki Tanaka, a native of Mie Prefecture, is an artist and sculptor who continues to create in Tokyo after graduating from Musashino Art University's sculpture department. He is also active as Tanaka Sushi Robot in the comedy unit "Sontaku-zu."
Tanaka's installations include cardboard sculptures, paintings, stuffed animals, videos, and stages for comedy sketches and small theater performances, among other media. For example, in his solo exhibition "Jonathan's Eye Color Is So Intriguing," held in 2020, large sculptures of two lions, a plethora of seagull stuffed animals (soft sculptures), and many other exhibits filled the space. Each component is catchy and pop, and the overall exhibition, with its wealth of information, leaves viewers with a somewhat nonsensical impression. However, behind the humorous visuals lies a meticulous collage of homage to art and its history, the artist's experiences and reflections on society, and fleeting interests.
This exhibition, "Werewolf Legend," was inspired by a taxidermy of a Japanese wolf owned by Wakayama University. The artist was drawn to its excessively distorted and poorly made appearance. Throughout history, wolves have been objects of worship, and the legend of the werewolf, which serves as the motif for this exhibition, is one of the many legends surrounding wolves found throughout Japan. The Japanese wolf, a native species of Japan, is believed to have become extinct around 120 years ago. While various theories have been proposed for its extinction, including overhunting by humans and interbreeding with wild dogs, the exact reasons remain unclear. Furthermore, there are only three remaining taxidermies of Japanese wolves in Japan, and due to limited research, many aspects of the definition and origins of the Japanese wolf remain unresolved.
Yoshiki Tanaka, who works on his creations in the middle of the night, bears some resemblance to a werewolf. His works always seem to hover between decipherable and indecipherable, offering both amusement and frustration.
Additionally, as part of the installation, a stage will be set up for short plays and comedy performances.
Tanaka's installations include cardboard sculptures, paintings, stuffed animals, videos, and stages for comedy sketches and small theater performances, among other media. For example, in his solo exhibition "Jonathan's Eye Color Is So Intriguing," held in 2020, large sculptures of two lions, a plethora of seagull stuffed animals (soft sculptures), and many other exhibits filled the space. Each component is catchy and pop, and the overall exhibition, with its wealth of information, leaves viewers with a somewhat nonsensical impression. However, behind the humorous visuals lies a meticulous collage of homage to art and its history, the artist's experiences and reflections on society, and fleeting interests.
This exhibition, "Werewolf Legend," was inspired by a taxidermy of a Japanese wolf owned by Wakayama University. The artist was drawn to its excessively distorted and poorly made appearance. Throughout history, wolves have been objects of worship, and the legend of the werewolf, which serves as the motif for this exhibition, is one of the many legends surrounding wolves found throughout Japan. The Japanese wolf, a native species of Japan, is believed to have become extinct around 120 years ago. While various theories have been proposed for its extinction, including overhunting by humans and interbreeding with wild dogs, the exact reasons remain unclear. Furthermore, there are only three remaining taxidermies of Japanese wolves in Japan, and due to limited research, many aspects of the definition and origins of the Japanese wolf remain unresolved.
Yoshiki Tanaka, who works on his creations in the middle of the night, bears some resemblance to a werewolf. His works always seem to hover between decipherable and indecipherable, offering both amusement and frustration.
Additionally, as part of the installation, a stage will be set up for short plays and comedy performances.
Schedule | Mar 20 (Wed) 2024-Mar 31 (Sun) 2024 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | ¥400 + 1 selected tea | ||||
| Website | https://www.ongoing.jp/tag/installation/densetsu/ | ||||
| Venue | Art Center Ongoing http://www.ongoing.jp/en/ | ||||
| Location | 1-8-7 Kichijoji-Higashicho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-0002 | ||||
| Access | 9 minute walk from the North exit of Kichijoji Station on the JR Chuo and Sobu lines or Keio Inokashira line. | ||||
| Phone | 0422-26-8454 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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