「我被那些存在已久的事物所吸引，例如那些歷經日曬雨淋的壁畫。它們從表面看只是在不斷老化，但卻有與歲月一同沈澱下來的美感。」 – 野口寬斉

“I became attracted to things that have been around for a long time. For example, wall paintings that have been exposed to wind, rain, and light over time. Physically, they only continue to decay, but there is a beauty that dwells together with the passing years.” –  Kansai Noguchi

「EX TERRA」是由 otherthings by THE SHOPHOUSE 舉辦的展覽，展出了日本當代藝術家野口寬斉的新系列陶瓷作品。

“EX TERRA” is an exhibition held at the otherthings by THE SHOPHOUSE, featuring a new series of ceramic works by contemporary Japanese artist Kansai Noguchi.

Why it matters:

展覽中的系列作品基於利用「terra」（源自拉丁語 ‘tɛrə’，即大地）孕育的材料這一概念之上，並對時間流逝本身的理解和詮釋。藝術家將思考視角轉向神話： 「阿波羅，光明與太陽之神……據說阿波羅是一位騎著馬的神，每天把太陽帶到特定的位置，讓我想起日復一日重復生命的珍貴。」

The current collection is founded on the concept of utilizing materials nurtured by ‘terra’ (from Latin, ‘tɛrə’, the earth) and presents a potent distillation of the passage of time itself. The artist turns to mythology when reflecting on this, starting: “Apollo, God of Light and the Sun…Apollo is a god who is said to ride a horse and carry the sun every day to a predetermined position. It makes me think about the preciousness of life that is repeated daily.” 

「EX TERRA」重點展示運用來自山間的陶土、海洋的珍珠，以及動物皮革骨頭製成的「nikawa」膠等材料，思考源自然與人類之間的本源與抗爭。藝術家在這種表現形式中，捕捉到了人類的周期潮汐： 「我這次的目標是面對自然，通過日常生活及對其重復來完成一件作品。用雨沖、日曬，重復這個過程。形式源自於這個沐浴在陽光下的星球以及阿波羅的馬。」

EX TERRA highlights works crafted from clay sourced from the mountains, pearls from the sea, and ‘nikawa’ glue pigments made by animal leather and bones, contemplating the origins and struggles between nature and humanity. In such a presentation the artist captures the cyclical tides of humanity: “This time, I aimed to create a work of art by facing nature, which would be completed through everyday life and its repetitions. Washing it with rainwater and drying it in the sun. Repeating the process. The work takes the form of a planet bathed in the sunlight and Apollo’s horse.”

4 Highlights:

• 展出作品包括兩大系列：「JOMON Yakishime」和 「APOLLO」，前者從日本繩文時代陶器汲取靈感，展現原始且富有表現力的形式；後者則以希臘神話中的阿波羅為靈感，探索物質的瞬態美和時間對物質的影響。

• The exhibition features two major series: “JOMON Yakishime” and “APOLLO.” The former draws inspiration from Jomon period pottery in Japan, displaying primitive and expressive forms; the latter is inspired by Apollo from Greek mythology, exploring the transient beauty of materials and the effects of time on them. 

• 「JOMON Yakishime」系列靈感源自於日本繩文時代的陶瓷。繩文時代的陶器以其獨特的繩紋裝飾和手工打造的粗糙質感聞名，野口在此基礎上添加了他標誌性的墨水作品，創造了獨特的新古典主義美學。

• The “JOMON Yakishime” series is inspired by Jomon period ceramics, known for their unique rope-pattern decorations and rough, handcrafted textures. Noguchi adds his signature ink works to this foundation, creating a neoclassical aesthetic. 

• 而「APOLLO」系列則以希臘神話中的太陽神阿波羅為靈感來源，象徵著光明和藝術的力量。野口在這些作品中探索了月球表面的粗糙質感、剝落的牆壁和風化物體的美學。這一系列不僅展現了物質的瞬態美，也探討了時間對物質的影響。野口利用特殊製作技術，如高溫燒製和不對稱造型，賦予每件作品獨特的個性和故事。

• On the other hand, the “APOLLO” series takes inspiration from Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, symbolizing the power of light and art. In these works, Noguchi explores the rough textures of the lunar surface, peeling walls, and the aesthetics of weathered objects. This series not only showcases the transient beauty of materials but also discusses the impact of time on them. Noguchi uses special techniques such as high-temperature firing and asymmetrical shaping to give each piece a unique personality and story.

• 此次展覽同時探索社會議題，例如利用被遺棄的次級珍珠和來自過度繁殖的鹿的皮及骨頭。由於現時日本的鹿出現過度繁殖的問題，對人和環境也帶來嚴重的影響。例如是有些鹿為了覓食，會由山上走到山下，破壞農田，影響農民的生計，因此，當地出現了一群人上山獵殺鹿群。雖然鹿肉可以製成食物，但仍有很多部分用不上而遭掉棄，所以野口寬斉拿鹿皮和骨頭來做材料，希望把這些被遺棄的物料用在藝術創作上，為環境出一分力。

• This exhibition also explores social issues, such as using discarded secondary pearls and leather and bones from deer that have been overbred. Due to the problem of deer overpopulation in Japan, which severely affects people and the environment, some deer move from the mountains to the valleys, destroying farmland and affecting farmers’ livelihoods. Consequently, groups of people go into the mountains to hunt deer. Although deer meat can be used as food, many parts are discarded, so Kansai Noguchi uses deer leather and bones as materials, hoping to contribute to environmental efforts by incorporating these discarded materials into his art.

野口寬斉的「EX TERRA」展覽目前正在otherthings by THE SHOPHOUSE展出，作品可透過otherthings預約及查詢。

Kansai Noguchi’s “EX TERRA” exhibition is currently on display at the otherthings by THE SHOPHOUSE, with works available for viewing and inquiry through otherthings.

Background – Kansai Noguchi

野口寬斉，1982年出生於日本福岡。他於2013年前往紐約進修爵士藍調音樂，兩年後返回日本，師從雕塑家Takuya Yoshida及陶藝家Ikuko Hiyoshi，開始了他的創作生涯。2016年，野口在東京成立了自己的個人工作室。他的創作靈感主要來自於日本繩文時代和梅赫爾格爾文化，同時也深受當代大師野口勇的影響。野口寬斉的作品風格獨具，並常在國內外知名的藝廊與選物店展出。

Kansai Noguchi was born in 1982 in Fukuoka, Japan. In 2013, he went to New York to study jazz and blues music, and two years later, he returned to Japan to apprentice under sculptor Takuya Yoshida and ceramicist Ikuko Hiyoshi, thus beginning his artistic career. In 2016, Noguchi established his studio in Tokyo. His creative inspiration primarily comes from the Jomon period of Japan and the Mehrgarh culture, and he is also deeply influenced by the contemporary master Noguchi Isamu. Kansai Noguchi’s work is distinctively styled and is frequently exhibited in well-known galleries and select shops domestically and internationally.

Final Tips:

請留意野口寬斉對材料的獨特選擇和使用方式，從山脉的陶土到海洋的珍珠，再到用動物皮革和骨頭製成的膠水，每一種材料都蘊含著自然與時間的故事。

Please pay attention to Kansai Noguchi’s unique selection and use of materials, from mountain clay to ocean pearls, to glue made from animal leather and bones; each material embodies stories of nature and time.

EX TERRA
Date:
2024. 6. 29 – 2024. 7. 28
Venue:
大坑新村街31號
31 Sun Chun Street Hong Kong

Courtesy of Artist Kansai Noguchi and Otherthings