Talk and Film Screening of latest works by Dutch artist Melvin Moti
Date and Time: Thursday, March 28th, 19:00-21:00
Venue: AIT Room Daikanyama　*Booking required *Talk will be in English with consecutive translation

Eigenlicht (The Inner Self in Outer Space), 2012, 35mm film, 18 minutes

AIT is pleased to host a talk by the current artist in resident from the Netherlands, Melvin Moti on Thursday, March 28th. Melvin Moti is currently artist in resident from January to April 2013 with AIT, through the support of The Mondriaan Fonds Foundation in the Netherlands.

Moti examines neurological, scientific and historic processes in relation to visual culture. Over the last years he produced several films along with artist books, objects and drawings.
In one of his latest films, "Eigenlicht (The Inner Self in Outer Space)", he attempts to examine the self-referential properties of objects.
The film shows a number of fluorescent minerals including Uranium, which absorbs UV light and emits visible light. Uranium vivid colors conveys its toxic intentions by the way the green glow roars at its viewer. While the film focuses on how objects can "speak" for themselves devoid of any cultural context, an artist book created parallel to the film complements Uranium as a loaded cultural subject; particularly the cultural history of Japan and its relationship with Uranium and nuclear energy.

At the talk, Moti`s latest 3 films, "Eigengrau", "Eigenlicht" and "Dust" will be shown each in its full version.
Moti states, "In 2008 I decided to continue making films without using sound. These future films would remain mute, as cinema before "the talkies", once was. In years prior to that decision my films contained a spoken voice-over. I remember very well when I made that decision, it was after the moment I thought; "when I present my work in Japan, how will I solve the language problem"? Will I translate the voice-over or subtitle the film? Instead I decided to not use language all together. Well, here I am, in Japan, and it seems only logical to present my mute films. "

Before the screening will be a short introduction to the projects and a question and answer session will follow afterwards.
Having worked with various materials such as glass objects and textiles as part of his installations in the past, Moti has dedicated his residency at AIT to researching Japan`s traditional dying techniques such as Edo Komon and Bingata. He will share episodes from this research along with other discoveries through his stay in Tokyo, and possible ideas for new works.

The talk will be in English with consecutive Japanese translation.

2013-3-16

▲トップへ戻る

" `Falling` People and Parasitic Sculptures"
Talk by German artists Benedikt Partenheimer and Rita Hensen
Date and Time: Monday, October 29th, 19:00-21:00
Venue: AIT Room Daikanyama　*Booking required *Talk will be in English with consecutive translation

Left：Benedikt Partenheimer / Falling / Lars falling, Munich 2005
Right：Rita Hensen / Ausatmen(Breathe Out) / 2011 / multipartite, wood, lacquer, plastic / 140x240x45cm

AIT will host a talk by the current artists in resident from Germany, Benedikt Partenheimer and Rita Hensen on Monday, October 29th.

Benedikt Partenheimer and Rita Hensen are currently artist in resident until November with AIT, through the support of The Daimler Foundation in Japan.Their stay is part of the supporting arts program "Art Scope" funded by the same foundation, and an exhibition will be held in 2014 at the Hara Art Museum to show works which emerge from this residency.

Benedikt Partenheimer works and lives in Berlin, mainly producing photographs and video works. Past works include a series of photographs called "Falling" which capture people floating in mid air, parallel to the ground. Another series, "Boundaries" focuses on the political and national borders that originated from the breakdown of former Yugoslavia. The photographs of this series show various "invisible" borders and thereby call attention to the general idea of demarcation. For the series "Turnaround", he takes portraits of famous artists such as Damien Hirst, Dan Graham, Frank Stella - however, all from behind. The series addresses contemporary perception within the context of portraiture and establishes new and different positions for interpretation and imagination. The series examines external appearance and inner experience - the ambivalence of space. This particular series will be continued in Tokyo.

Rita Hensen studied at the Academy of Visual Arts in Munich, and currently works and lives in Munich.
Hensen works with various media, such as drawings, sculptures, and photography. The rich variety of colours and their use have their own in painting qualities. For an exhibition in 2011, she exhibited multiple works such as "Depot 1" a colorful sculpture shaped like a mountain range, and "Ausatmen (Breathe Out)" another sculpture made of thin boards and plastic spheres, its appearance somewhat like an architects' model. Her works are a bit like parasites; growing and extending itself within the exhibition space. On a closer look, the viewer realizes unpainted surfaces of the original material, or pencil marks of notes when building the works, allowing us to visually `see` the artist`s thinking process. From what point do the works become a `sculpture`? Where is its starting and/or ending point?

During the talk, the two artists will introduce their past works, about the creative process and concept behind them. They will also share their discoveries through their stay in Tokyo, and possible ideas for new works.

The talk will be in English with consecutive Japanese translation by AIT staff.

2012-10-15

▲トップへ戻る

Talk by emerging curators Sudjud Dartanto(Indonesia) and Che Kyongfa(Japan)
Date and Time: Sunday March 25, 14:00-16:00 *Booking required
Venue: Hillside Annex B (30-2 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku)

　
Left：「Immemorial, Reaching Back Beyond Memory」（2009/2011）
Right：「U(dys)topia」（2010）

AIT is pleased to host a talk by two promising curators from Indonesia and Japan. Sudjud Dartanto from Indonesia is currently in Tokyo via AIT`s residence program. The first half of the talk will be led by Sudjud addressing the relevance of the theme "Relational Aesthetics" today, in connection with the contemporary art scene in Indonesia. Kyongfa will join the talk from the second half for further discussion and analysis on the topic. A casual bar will open afterwards serving Indonesian snacks.

2012-3-17

▲トップへ戻る

"Photo as Flat Sculpture" Talk and Workshop by Russian/Dutch artist, Ksenia Galiaeva
Monday, March 12th, 19:00 - 21:00 *Booking required *Talk/Workshop will be in English with consecutive translation

"Untitled", 2011, Analogue colour photo

AIT is happy to host a talk and workshop by Ksenia Galiaeva on Monday, March 12th. Ksenia Galiaeva is a Russian/Dutch artist working mainly with photography, currently artist in residence with AIT through the support of FONDS BKVB (the Netherlands Arts Foundation). She lives and works in Amsterdam. Following a short introductory talk about her works, a fun and experimental workshop on photography will follow, using cameras and various objects.

For fourteen years she has been making photos of her parents in the paradisiacal surroundings of their Russian summerhouse ? often humorous photos of them busy in the their garden or snapshots of foods in vivid colours on the kitchen table. What fascinates her is the way memories change through repetition and grow to mythical proportions, and our abilities to steer memory in different directions. The flow of time, continuity and memory are main themes in her work.

The challenge in photography is to get past the restrictions of the medium ? a 'decisive moment' seen in 'monocular' perspective. Ksenia is interested in connections photography has with other art disciplines ? literature, painting and sculpture.
For the workshop, participants will be asked to bring a digital camera (or simply use camera function on mobile phones) and any objects they`d like to use at the workshop (pictures from magazines? coloured paper? candy? vegetables or fruit?)
The aim is to explore between the 2-dimensional and the 3-dimensional. In a photo we can suggest volume and space ? other volume and space than that we see with our eyes. Sculptures can be flat and photos can have form and volume: a face from a magazine cover folded in half instantly becomes 3D, objects once in a photo becomes 2D.
Examples of ways to experiment will be shown during the introduction through works by Ksenia and other artists, such as Gabriel Orozco, Erwin Wurm, Wolfgang Tillmans, John Stezaker, and more! In the end, all participants will be asked to briefly share their work.

The talk and workshop will be in English with consecutive Japanese translation by AIT staff.

2012-3- 1

▲トップへ戻る

A 2-day workshop by three Scottish artists: Mary Redmond, Katy West, and Nick Evans
Date and Time: Workshop February 25 and 26, 2012 13:00-17:00 *Consecutive translation from English to Japanese
Exhibition Opening February 26 17:00-18:00
Venue: Hillside Annex B (30-2 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku)

左）Mary Redmond / Hutong noons / 2010
中央）Katy West / SHELF BRACKET CORNER SHELF & 45 SHELF BRACKET CORNER LIGHT 45 / 20cm x 17cm x 17cm / slip cast vitrified china, white glaze / 2007
右）Nick Evans / Installation view from Flesh and Bones, Liste 16, Basel / 2011

AIT is happy to host three artists who live and work in Glasgow, Scotland, for a residency in Tokyo. They will lead a 2-day workshop where materials from everyday life and the streets will be used to make quick sculptures. These quick sculptures will then be shown together for a final installation and opening reception on the second day. The workshop is open to anyone from children to adults. No prior experience with making art is necessary.

2012-2- 9

▲トップへ戻る

"Artists, film, pixels and chemicals" by Finnish artist, Jyri Kaasinen
Monday, January 16th, 19:00 - 21:00 *Booking required *Talk will be in English with consecutive translation

"Stubborn", 2007

AIT will host a talk by the current artist in resident, Jyri Kaasinen on Monday, Jan 16th.

Jyri Kaasinen is a Finnish media artist working mainly with photography, currently artist in resident with AIT through the support of FRAME and the Finnish Institute in Japan.

Over nearly ten years one of Jyri's projects has been capturing portraits of people who operate in the field of creative professions: artists, musicians, graphic designers and such. In his photos these individuals are often shown outside of their working identities or artist trademarks.
Never really leaving the house without a camera he's also able to capture "treasures of everyday life": details or views he finds in public spaces. He looks for a subjects of poetic quality that are able to evoke a story in the viewer's imagination within one frame.
His work is related to documentary and photojournalism, but he approaches the subject with artistic freedom to use any available photographic tool or post processing technique. In his talk he will also show some of his more experimental output.

The talk will be in English with consecutive Japanese translation by AIT staff.

2012-1- 6

▲トップへ戻る

"Horror Vacui - Fear of Empty Spaces" by Swedish artist, Michael Johansson
Monday, December 5th 2011, 19:00 - 21:00 *Booking required

From left: Strolls through time and space, 2009 / Monochrome Anachron, 2008 / Self Contained, 2010 / Ghost II, 2009

AIT is happy to host a talk by the current artist in resident, Michael Johansson on Monday, Dec 5th.

Michael Johansson is the 2011 IASPIS artist in resident with AIT, staying in Tokyo for three months. Johansson's works are sculptural installations using everyday objects stacked in highly complex formations so that they become almost solid geometric forms, reminiscent of Minimalist sculpture. An avid collector of 'things', Johansson's art practice is intimately connected to his interest in place as a point of departure and research. Johansson has said that his dense sculptures and the city of Tokyo share a certain parallel in terms of being 'packed'. In this talk the artist will speak about his works using images. The title of the talk evokes a contrasting emotion to his interest in density.

The talk will be in English with consecutive Japanese translation by AIT staff.

2011-11-23

▲トップへ戻る

AIT ARTIST TALK #54
Talk and Live Discussion with Canadian artist Ken Lum
Monday November 28th 19:00-20:30 *This talk will be in English only
Speaker：Ken Lum

Ken Lum "Cheeseburger" 2011

AIT will hold an artist talk by Ken Lum on 28th November.
He will mainly talk about his art making and works, which will be shown in Tokyo this winter.

Ken Lum is a Canadian artist of Chinese origin whose works in photography and installation have been exhibited across the world in many exhibitions, including Documenta XI (2002), Istanbul Biennale 2007 and Gwangju Biennale 2008. His approach may be considered conceptual and concerned with issues of portraiture and language. He has made large scale public art commissions in Canada and Europe and has also been involved in several curatorial projects including 'The Short Century', a 2001 exhibition curated by Okwui Enwezor. Lum co-founded the English language 'Yishu Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art' in 2000. Lum's diverse works share a questioning attitude to the systems and structures which shape our everyday world, manipulating advertising, business, consumer or traditional signs and visual forms. Lum served as advisor for AIT from 2001-2008.

Ken Lum's visual grammar to represent the constitution of identity in the face of the relentless forces of acculturation as played out in everyday lived experience will provide an opportunity to hear fresh insights and thoughts.
Please feel free to join us!

2011-11-17

▲トップへ戻る

MINGLIUS WITH ARCUS Part 4 "Talks by 3 Artists from ARCUS Residence Program"
Monday November 21st, 19:00-22:00　*FREE ENTRY　*Mini Talks begin at 20:00
Venue: AIT room Daikanyama

From left: Wojciech Gilewicz（Poland）／Wai Keung Hui（Hong Kong）／Fazal Rizvi（Pakistan）

We welcome the 2011 artists in residence of ARCUS to make short presentations about their works and also hear from ARCUS Director, Mami Odai. The presentations will be translated consecutively into Japanese from English.

ARCUS Project was launched in 1995 by Ibaraki Prefectural Government as its main organizer. It mainly offers an artist-in-residence program as well as other programs such as exhibitions, workshops, lecture series, concerts and film screenings.
For its artist-in-residence program, ARCUS Project invites artists from all over the world through a public selection. ARCUS promotes each artist's activities by providing studio space, financial support, and opportunities to interact with the local community.

This year's artists in residence are:
・Wojciech Gilewicz (Born in 1974/Lives and works in: Poland）
・Wai Keung Hui ( Born in 1973/Lives and works in: Hong Kong）
・Fazal Rizvi ( Born in 1987/Lives and works in: Pakistan）

To know more about them, visit the ARCUS website!

At the event, there will be a bar, snacks, a relaxed sitting on the floor environment and music as usual.
We look forward to seeing you!

[OUTLINE]
Date: Monday November 21st, 2011
Time: 19:00-22:00, Mini Talks begin at 20:00
Venue: AIT room Daikanyama
Twin Bldg Daikanyama B403, 30-8 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0033 [ MAP ]
Admission: Free *No booking required

[CONTACT]
Arts Initiative Tokyo [AIT]
T03-5489-7277 / F03-3780-0266
otoiawase@a-i-t.net

2011-11- 4

▲トップへ戻る

Masumi Kawamura "Mirror Portraits"
An emerging photographer's works curated by graduates from AIT Curation Practice Course 2009
August 20, 2011 - August 31, 2011, 11:00-19:00, Closed on Sunday
Free admission
AIT room #B403 Twin Building, 30-8 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo [MAP]
Opening Reception: August 20, 2011, 18:00-20:00 (Artist talk: 19:00)

"Mirror Portraits"/Type C Print/variable size/ 2011

2011-8-17

▲トップへ戻る