Busy Work at Home
Press:
Hyperallergic: May 25, 2021
Art Viewer: May 9, 2021
Busy Work at Home
A group show from a mid-pandemic point of view; a sentimental journey for multitaskers and “A Celebration of Specialness”.
includes work by: BLESS, David Byrne, Aki Goto, Alice Hutchins, Studio of Maki Kinnosuke, Adelle Lutz, Enzo Mari, Ingo Maurer, Issey Miyake, Nintendo, Tomohisa Obana, Toru Otani, Joel Otterson, Tejo Remy, Alma Siedhoff-Buscher and Studio of Kamekichi Tsunajima.
Nonaka-Hill is pleased to share our fondness for tatebanko prints, produced in Japan during the Edo Period (1603-1868) through Meiji Restoration (1868 – 1912). These colorful images, usually depicting important buildings, historic battles, or Kabuki theatre scenes are segmented into multiple image composition parts, swirling in every direction to fill the page. By cutting around the periphery of the images, a small toy diorama could be set up. Perhaps tatebanko were meant to keep children’s little hands busy and minds stimulated while parents do “grown-up stuff”. From a 21st Century point of view, these 3 or 5 sheet suites appear Surreal or Abstract, but in their day, these notions barely existed. Now considered rare, it is a conundrum that the page must be destroyed for the 2D image to reach its 3D potential.
These tatebanko diorama print suites are the inspiration for our meandering exhibition, which stages artworks, design objects, costumes and garments, antique furnishings, film and video, camouflaging with “Wallscape” murals from Bless and a few room accents from Target to create tableau which may, for some, evoke diverse conditions experienced in our current Covid-19 pandemic.
Artist and artwork information: CLICK HERE
For additional information, please contact: gallery@nonaka-hill.com
Studio of Kinnosuke MakiDiagram of the Great Fierce Attack on Nanzan Mountain during the Russo-Japanese War, 1904, Meiji 37Woodblock prints as buildable paper toy set, a triptych.14 3/8” x 9 1/2” each
36.5cm x 24.2cm each- Studio of Kamekichi Tsunajima鬼一法眼鞍馬山術健の場組上, 1912, Meiji 45Woodblock print.14 5/8 x 9 13/16 in each
37 x 25 cm each - Studio of Kinnosuke MakiDefeat of a Female Demon at Togakushi, 1893, Meiji 26Woodblock prints as buildable paper toy set, a triptych.14 13/16 x 9 7/8 in each
37.5cm x 25 cm each - Adelle LutzUrban Camouflage Clothing: Brick Suit, 1986Mixed media.
- Adelle LutzUrban Camouflage Clothing: Brick Suit, 1986Mixed media.
- Adelle LutzUrban Camouflage Clothing: Brick Dress, 1986Mixed media.
- Adelle LutzUrban Camouflage Clothing: Column Dress, 1986Mixed media.
- Tomohisa Obana16, 2020Clay, glaze.
Paulownia tomobako box, titled, signed & stamped in ink, printed paper, ribbon. - Tomohisa Obana(not yet titled), 2021Six clay balls.
Paulownia tomobako box, titled, signed & stamped in ink.ball: 1 1/8 in diameter
ball: 2.9 cm diameter
tomobako: 2 3/8 x 12 1/8 x 2 1/4 in
tomobako: 6 x 30.6 x 5.6 cm - Tomohisa ObanaTsuchidama, 202124 clay balls (1 3/8 in, 3.5 cm diameter each) with 2 tier Paulownia tomobako box, titled, signed & stamped in ink.5 1/4 x 6 1/8 x 7 7/8 in
13.3 x 15.6 x 20 cm - Tomohisa Obana好日 / Good Day, 2020Clay, low temperature glaze .5 7/8 x 5 3/4 x 5 3/4 in
15 x 14.5 x 14.5 cm - Joel OttersonBallade d'Or, 2015Wool carpet, velvet, brass, glass, plastic, porcelain and steel44 3/4 x 21 1/2 x 3 in
113.7 x 54.6 x 7.6 cm - Joel OttersonRosa Toccatta, 2015Wool carpet, velvet, brass, glass, plastic, coral, porcelain, shell, mother of pearl and wood.46 1/2 x 25 x 3 1/4 in
118.1 x 63.5 x 8.3 cm - Joel OttersonMy Shoes, 1988Mixed media.60 x 24 x 24 in
152.4 x 61 x 61 cm - Joel OttersonGood Luck Happy Crystal Rainbow, 2014Beads, wire, chain, amethyst crystals, horse shoe and steel.84 x 13 x 5 in
213.4 x 33 x 12.7 cm - Studio of Kinnosuke MakiFierce battle near the Twelfth Phoenix Castle in the Russo-Japanese War, 1904, Meiji 37Woodblock prints as buildable paper toy set, a triptych.14 1/4 x 9 1/2 in each
36cm x 24 cm each - Studio of Kinnosuke MakiYoritomo Fujino Makikari Nita Shiro Isao Nozomi Zukumi Kamike, 1897, Meiji 30Woodblock prints as buildable paper toy set, a five sheet suite.14 1/2 x 9 13/16 in each
37cm x 25cm each - Studio of Kinnosuke MakiMiniature stage model of a kabuki performance, 1898, Meiji 31Woodblock prints as buildable paper toy set, a five sheet suite. Good impressions and condition, a minute hole, fold lines.14 1/2 x 10 in each
37 x 25.3 cm each - Alice HutchinsCanal Street Series, 1968-2005Alnico magnet and painted steel componentdimensions variable
- Alice HutchinsNEBULA, 1971Magnetic Sculpture in original packaging, repaired paper label.
- Alice HutchinsUntitled, ca 1973Two Alnico magnets, steel balls, metal discsdimensions variable
- Alice HutchinsUntitled, 1980Ferrite magnet, metal found object, color plastic, colored screws, galvanized metaldimensions variable
- Alice HutchinsUntitled (a multiple), ca 1969Four plated and painted Alnico magnetsdimensions variable
- Toru OtaniAstral (black, green), 2020Color pencil on abrasive paper22 1/8 x 18 1/8 in
56 x 46 cm - Toru Otani - 大谷 透, Eyes (red), 2019
- Toru Otani - 大谷 透, Hands (black), 2019
- Toru OtaniNight, 2013Color pencil on abrasive paper22 1/8 x 18 1/8 in
56 x 46 cm - Toru Otani(insert kanji) society, 2020Color pencil on note8 1/4 x 5 7/8 in
21 x 15 cm - Toru OtaniAstral (black, green), 2020Colour pencil on abrasive paper22 1/8 x 17 3/4 in
56 x 45 cm - Toru Otanileft hand, 2020Color pencil on postcard.5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in
14 x 9 cm - Toru OtaniTwo Tanks (Gray), 2018Color pencil on abrasive paper.11 1/8 x 18 1/8 in
28 x 46 cm - Toru OtaniKSF Red, 2018Color pencil on abrasive paper11 1/8 x 18 1/8 in
28 x 46 cm - Toru Otanitwo triangles, 2020Color pencil on postcard.8 1/4 x 5 7/8 in
21 x 15 cm - Toru Otaniドライブ Drive, 2020Color pencil on paper5 7/8 x 8 1/4 in
15 x 21 cm - Toru Otani - 大谷 透, 10 of Crabs, 2015
- Toru Otani - 大谷 透, 3 of Crabs, 2015
- Aki GotoHanten, 2020Misc. fabrics, hand-stitching.57 x 31 in
144.8 x 78.7 cm - Aki GotoHanten, 2020Misc. fabrics, hand-stitching.57 x 27 1/2 in
144.8 x 70 cm - Aki GotoHanten, 2020Misc. fabrics, hand-stitching.57 x 30 1/2 in
144.8 x 77.5 cm - Aki GotoHanten, 2020Misc. fabrics, hand-stitching.
- Aki GotoHanten (child's), 2020Misc. fabrics, hand-stitching.40 1/2 x 18 in
102.9 x 45.7 cm - Alma Siedhoff-BuscherBauhaus Bauspiel, 1923Painted wood1 5/8 x 10 5/8 x 2 1/2 in
4 x 27 x 6.5 cm - Studio of Kinnosuke MakiMiniature stage model of a kabuki performance, 1897, Meiji-period & laterWoodblock prints as buildable paper toy set, a triptych. Good impressions and condition15 9/16” x 10 3/8” each
39.5cm x 26.3cm each - Studio of Kinnosuke MakiThe Russo-Japanese War: My scouting cavalry in action by the Yalu River, 1904, Meiji 37Woodblock prints as buildable paper toy set, a triptych.14 1/4 x 9 5/8 in each
36cm x 24.5 cm each - Studio of Kinnosuke MakiMiniature stage model of the play Kumagai, 1894, Meiji 27Woodblock prints as buildable paper toy set, a triptych.10 5/16” x 15 1/2” each
39.5cm x 26.2 cm each - Studio of Kinnosuke Maki歌舞伎座當り狂言鏡山組上, 1900, Meiji 33Woodblock prints as buildable paper toy set, a triptych.14 3/8 x 9 11/16 in each
36.5cm x 24.7 cm each - Studio of Kinnosuke Maki歌舞伎座新狂言侠客春雨傘中之町場組上ケ, 1872, Meiji 3Woodblock prints as buildable paper toy set, a triptych.14 1/2 x 9 13/16 in each
37cm x 25cm each - Studio of Kinnosuke Maki市川左団次當り狂言丸橋忠弥召捕之場, 1894, Meiji 27Woodblock prints as buildable paper toy set, a triptych.14 1/2 x 9 13/16 in each
37cm x 25cm each - Studio of Kinnosuke Maki吉野山忠信勇戦之場組上ケ, 1899, Meiji 32Woodblock prints as buildable paper toy set, a triptych.14 1/2 x 9 13/16 in each
37cm x 25cm each - BLESSBLESS Nº26 MultiplugNatural wood beads, Electric devise with several outlets suspended from the ceiling, fringe cable. You can plug in BLESS Lampknots or any other devise - a modern chandelier.
- BLESSN°56 Worker’s Delight: RythmerStepper: 100% steel with rubber foam protraction.
Cushion: 100% cotton cover, 100% polyester filling. - BLESSN°56 Worker’s Delight: Neckrestdeskcushions: cover 100% cotton, filling 100% foam & plywood
metal structure: 100% steel with rubber foam protaction colormix50 1/2 x 38 x 22 in
128.3 x 96.5 x 55.9 cm
