Gana Art Center in Seoul is currently hosting “Mindscapes,” a group exhibition that presents the diverse and evolving landscape of contemporary Japanese art. Running from October 16 to November 24, 2024, the exhibit was co-curated by Reiko Tsubaki, a prominent curator from the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, and features over 60 works by six influential Japanese artists: Fujikura Asako, Kaneuji Teppei, Kawashima Hideaki, Kudo Makiko, Tsuchiya Nobuko, and Yokoyama Yuichi. The exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore the inner worlds of these artists as they delve into themes of self and others, dreams and the unconscious, and the cycles of life and death.

“Mindscapes” focuses on depicting the landscapes of the mind, reflecting emotions tied to specific spaces, objects, or experiences in each artist's life. These works range across a variety of media, including painting, photography, sculpture, manga, installation, and video, each piece offering a unique perspective on how personal experiences are translated into visual forms. Together, they create a comprehensive look at contemporary Japanese art’s focus on introspective exploration and cultural commentary.

Asako Fujikura's works in the exhibition take viewers into imagined cities, merging elements of the virtual and the real through 3D graphic animation. Her pieces capture a dreamlike urban space that invites viewers to navigate a world where fantasy and reality overlap. Kaneuji Teppei uses everyday objects and images from across the globe, arranging them in layered collages to examine the connections between material and image, exploring the aesthetics of everyday life with a surreal twist.

Kawashima Hideaki’s recent works reflect on life and death, inspired by personal losses he endured during the pandemic. Through his creations, Kawashima explores the cyclical nature of life, representing themes of grief and transformation in soft, yet powerful visuals. Meanwhile, Kudo Makiko translates abstract feelings and fleeting thoughts from her daily life into paintings, capturing the mystery of dreams and subconscious emotions through delicate brushstrokes and vibrant colors.

Tsuchiya Nobuko’s installations weave a narrative inspired by cosmology and the mysteries of the universe. By constructing imaginative, otherworldly environments, she juxtaposes the known with the unknown, sparking questions about the boundaries between the earthly and the cosmic. Yokoyama Yuichi, choosing manga as his preferred medium, pushes the traditional narrative style by using onomatopoeia and action-filled scenes without dialogue. His works explore the passage of time, challenging conventional approaches to storytelling and adding a dynamic, visual rhythm to the experience.

This exhibition provides not only a glimpse into the varied approaches each artist takes toward their art but also highlights the interconnectedness between Japanese and global contemporary art. The shared theme of “Mindscapes” presents the inner psyche as an evolving landscape, revealing how different minds interpret and externalize emotions through artistic representation. It encourages viewers to reflect on their inner thoughts and emotional landscapes, creating a dialogue between the artwork and the audience.

According to Reiko Tsubaki, the curator, “Mindscapes” is intended to stimulate a deeper understanding of Japanese contemporary art's diversity and its role within a global context. This collaborative exhibit between the Gana Art Center and the Mori Art Museum serves as a cultural bridge, fostering exchange and mutual appreciation between Korea and Japan.

The artists' exploration of complex emotional states and psychological landscapes presents a valuable opportunity for viewers to consider the delicate nuances of the human experience. This exhibition’s depth and diversity illustrate how contemporary Japanese art resonates with universal themes, reflecting both individual and collective journeys through existence. As Gana Art’s “Mindscapes” continues through November, it offers a poignant reflection on human emotions and the often unspoken landscapes of the mind.

Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com