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Touching Stone Gallery   Santa Fe, USA

www.touchingstone.com    director@touchingstone.com

 

Ryo Mikami
Mujo 無常 (Impermanence)
An emotional journey through masks

November 26 - December 31, 2010


Video by Hirofumi Aoki
 
Ryo Mikami   三上　亮
Mujo, meaning 'no constant', refers to the transient nature of human condition. This exhibition originated from a personal project that Japanese artist Ryo Mikami has been working on for several years. Mikami (1959 b.), a graduate from Tokyo University of the Arts, is widely recognized in Japan for the conceptual depth of his works. For example, he believes his tea bowls should allow the users to drink from as effortlessly and naturally as scooping up water from a running stream with their cupped hands. So, rather than following well-established traditional Japanese tea bowl styles, he makes his tea bowls light and semi-translucent, so the drinkers get a glimpse of the shadows of their own hands while cradling the bowls against the light.

The current exhibition is a marked departure from Mikami's usual genre. For reasons that the artist did not divulge, he had been thinking about the uncertainty of human existence. He wondered if he could impart his thoughts into his art in an unusual creative process. While focusing his mind on single Japanese kanji characters representing different emotions, he molded clay into masks by pressing the backside with his hands. Like giving birth, faces with distinct expressions inspired by the artist's feelings slowly came alive. He then put finishing touches on the front side and fired the masks with wood in a pit enclosure behind his studio (pit-firing). The endeavor resulted in an exceptionally powerful body of work that vividly captured the raw emotions of the artist, direct and unmitigated. Remarkably, this body of work has never been shown in public, even in Japan.

Touching Stone Gallery is privileged to host the American debut for Mikami in an exhibition of twenty-one of these masks, together with a single tea bowl. Each piece is presented with a wooden box bearing the artist’s signature and the kanji character that inspired the piece, along with a custom display stand to allow the mask to be displayed on the wall or as a free-standing sculpture.

This powerful body of work may well symbolize an emotional journey through life. The show starts with a piece called ‘Innocent’, and takes the audience through works named ‘Self-assured’, 'Astonished', ‘Skeptical’ and so on, finally ending with a single translucent-white tea bowl entitled ‘Empty’. 
Click on images to view selected pieces
 Inquiry/order: director@touchingstone.com, see Inquiry/Order
5Mikami_Innocent-b.jpg (103348 bytes)5Mikami_Innocent-a.jpg (108448 bytes)5Mikami_Innocent-c.jpg (92438 bytes)5Mikami_Innocent-Box.jpg (87213 bytes)

Mask No. 5   "Innocent"

Pit-fired ceramic    6.5" x 4.5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

 

 

 

 
6Mikami_Self-assured-b.jpg (86041 bytes)6Mikami_Self-assured-a.jpg (87581 bytes)6Mikami_Self-assured-c.jpg (83537 bytes)6Mikami_Self-assured-Box.jpg (77768 bytes)

Mask No. 6   "Self-assured"

Pit-fired ceramic, polished, stone inlay   7.5" x 5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

Sold

 

 
9Mikami_Melody-b.jpg (90312 bytes)9Mikami_Melody-a.jpg (93203 bytes)9Mikami_Melody-c.jpg (90547 bytes)9Mikami_Melody-Box.jpg (72091 bytes)

Mask No. 9   "Melodic"

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay    8" x 5.25"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

 

 

 

 

 
18Mikami_Desire-b.jpg (81860 bytes)18Mikami_Desire-a.jpg (87618 bytes)18Mikami_Desire-c.jpg (88442 bytes)18Mikami_Desire-Box.jpg (85902 bytes)

Mask No. 18   "Desire"

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay    8.25" x 5.25"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

 

 

 

 

 
10Mikami_Coy-b.jpg (82657 bytes)10Mikami_Coy-a.jpg (80944 bytes)10Mikami_Coy-c.jpg (82556 bytes)10Mikami_Coy-Box.jpg (71498 bytes)

Mask No. 10   "Coy"

Pit-fired ceramic, spot-polished, stone inlay   8.75" x 5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

Sold

 

 

2Mikami_Astonished-b.jpg (78149 bytes)2Mikami_Astonished-a.jpg (77846 bytes)2Mikami_Astonished-c.jpg (79326 bytes)2Mikami_Astonished-Box.jpg (90121 bytes)

Mask No. 2   "Astonished"

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay    8.25" x 5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

Sold

 

 

 

 
8Mikami_Skeptical-b.jpg (88647 bytes)8Mikami_Skeptical-a.jpg (87987 bytes)8Mikami_Skeptical-c.jpg (83446 bytes)8Mikami_Skeptical-Box.jpg (35135 bytes)

Mask No. 8   "Skeptical"

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay    8" x 4.5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

Sold

 

 

 

 

 
3Mikami_Poignant-b.jpg (96323 bytes)3Mikami_Poignant-a.jpg (94808 bytes)3Mikami_Poignant-c.jpg (85185 bytes)3Mikami_Poignant-Box.jpg (81908 bytes)

Mask No. 3   "Poignant"

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay   7.5" x 4.5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

 

 

 

 

 
4Mikami_Wish-b.jpg (87592 bytes)4Mikami_Wish-a.jpg (92391 bytes)4Mikami_Wish-c.jpg (83001 bytes)4Mikami_Wish-Box.jpg (81082 bytes)

Mask No. 4   "Wish"

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay    7" x 4.25"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

 

 

 

 

 
14Mikami_Guard-b.jpg (66004 bytes)14Mikami_Guard-a.jpg (63980 bytes)14Mikami_Guard-c.jpg (64303 bytes)14Mikami_Guard-Box.jpg (80443 bytes)

Mask No. 14   "Guard" (as in keeping a secret)

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay   8.5" x 5.5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

 

 

 

 

 
13Mikami_Silent-b.jpg (66410 bytes)13Mikami_Silent-a.jpg (70466 bytes)13Mikami_Silent-c.jpg (72454 bytes)13Mikami_Silent-Box.jpg (83596 bytes)

Mask No. 13   "Silent"

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay   9" x 5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

 Sold

 

 
19Mikami_Distant-b.jpg (73552 bytes)19Mikami_Distant-a.jpg (68666 bytes)19Mikami_Distant-c.jpg (68737 bytes)19Mikami_Distant-Box.jpg (78941 bytes)

Mask No. 19   "Distant"

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay   8.5" x 5.25"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

 

 

 

 

 
17Mikami_Deliberate-b.jpg (65410 bytes)17Mikami_Deliberate-a.jpg (75873 bytes)17Mikami_Deliberate-c.jpg (71038 bytes)17Mikami_Deliberate-Box.jpg (83774 bytes)

Mask No. 17   "Deliberate"

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay   8.5" x 5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

 

Sold

 

 

 
11Mikami_Hope-b.jpg (91027 bytes)11Mikami_Hope-a.jpg (80400 bytes)11Mikami_Hope-c.jpg (84841 bytes)11Mikami_Hope-Box.jpg (76674 bytes)

Mask No. 11   "Hope"

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay   8.5" x 5.5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

Sold

 

 

 

 

 
21Mikami_Pleased-b.jpg (74617 bytes)21Mikami_Pleased-a.jpg (98140 bytes)21Mikami_Pleased-c.jpg (81640 bytes)21Mikami_Pleased-Box.jpg (73690 bytes)

Mask No. 21   "Pleased"

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay   8.75" x 4.75"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

Sold

 

 

 

 
12Mikami_Transcend-b.jpg (72768 bytes)12Mikami_Transcend-a.jpg (81872 bytes)12Mikami_Transcend-c.jpg (78495 bytes)12Mikami_Transcend-Box.jpg (81591 bytes)

Mask No. 12   "Transcend"

Pit-fired ceramic, spot-polished, stone inlay   9" x 5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

Sold

 

 

 

 
15Mikami_Clear-b.jpg (65153 bytes)15Mikami_Clear-a.jpg (68008 bytes)15Mikami_Clear-c.jpg (60004 bytes)15Mikami_Clear-Box.jpg (91868 bytes)

Mask No. 15   "Clear"

 Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay   8.5" x 5.5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

 

 

 

 

 
20Mikami_Sage-b.jpg (83096 bytes)20Mikami_Sage-a.jpg (79777 bytes)20Mikami_Sage-c.jpg (83787 bytes)20Mikami_Sage-Box.jpg (80504 bytes)

Mask No. 20   "Sage"

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay   8.5" x 5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

Sold

 

 
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Mask No. 16   "Deep"

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay   8" x 5.75"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

 

 

 
7Mikami_Calm-b.jpg (83128 bytes)7Mikami_Calm-a.jpg (76961 bytes)7Mikami_Calm-c.jpg (82026 bytes)7Mikami_Calm-Box.jpg (82451 bytes)

Mask No. 7   "Calm"

Pit-fired ceramic, polished, stone inlay   7.5" x 4.5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

Sold

 

 

 

 

 

  1Mikami_Content-b.jpg (65688 bytes)1Mikami_Content-a.jpg (77520 bytes)1Mikami_Content-c.jpg (65485 bytes)1Mikami_Content-Box.jpg (85023 bytes)

Mask No. 1   "Content"

Pit-fired ceramic w/ stone inlay     8.5" x 5.5"

3 views, w/ presentation box & display stand (not shown)

 

Not for sale

 

 

 
Mikami_Empty_f.jpg (48879 bytes)

  Tea Bowl   "Empty"

High-fired white porcelain    6" x 6" x 3"h

Below:  4 views,  w/ presentation box

Sold
Mikami_Empty-b.jpg (45918 bytes)Mikami_Empty-c.jpg (50215 bytes)Mikami_Empty-d.jpg (32557 bytes)Mikami_Empty-e.jpg (62101 bytes)

 

 

Biography & Exhibitions (Ryo Mikami)

1959   Born in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

1986   Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts

           Appointed as part-time Teaching Associate in same university until 1989

1987   Solo show, Minami Aoyama Green Gallery, Tokyo

1989   Teaching associate, the Asano Koubo, Kanagawa until 1997

1990   Fletcher International Exhibition, New Zealand

1993   Special Award, Fletcher International Exhibition, New Zealand

1995   Solo show, Mitsukoshi Department Store, Sapporo

1996   Solo show, Akasaka Green Gallery, Tokyo

           Solo show, Mitsukoshi Department Store, Tokyo

           Travel Exhibition sponsored by the Japan Foundation

           Fletcher International Exhibition, New Zealand

1997   Solo show, Mitsukoshi Department Store, Sapporo

           Solo show, Suigyoku Gallery, Tokyo

1998   Built kiln in Minami Ashie, Kanagawa

           Solo show, Tokyu Department Store, Tokyo

1999   Solo show, Akasaka Green Gallery, Tokyo

           Solo show, Mitsukoshi Department Store, Tokyo

           Solo show, Suigyoku Gallery, Tokyo

2001   Solo show, Kandori, Tokyo

2002   Solo show, Kuroda Touen, Tokyo

           Solo show, Nakamura Kou-ko-do, Tokyo

2003   Solo show, Kandori, Tokyo

           Solo show, Suigyoku Gallery, Tokyo

2004   Solo show, Kuroda Touen, Tokyo

           Solo show, Nakamura Kou-ko-do, Tokyo

           Solo show, Utsuwa Nanohana, Tokyo

2005   Solo show, Kandori, Tokyo

2006   Solo show, Mitsukoshi Department Store, Tokyo

           Solo show, Suigyoku Gallery, Tokyo

2007   Solo show, Kandori, Tokyo

           Solo show, Nakamura Kou-ko-do, Tokyo

2008   Solo show, Kuroda Touen, Tokyo

2009   Solo show, Mitsukoshi Department Store, Tokyo

2010   Solo show, Suigyoku Gallery, Tokyo

           Solo show, Mitsukoshi Department Store, Fukuoka

           Solo show, Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, USA
Pit-Fire-DVD.jpg (149796 bytes)

A 50-minute documentary on Ryo Mikami's mask project

filmed by video artist-director Hirofumi Aoki.

Proceeds from DVD sale go to the video artist.