Created from imagination

Since last Friday, Jiro has been arriving and we have all been working together to prepare for the exhibition, and the Nagase Jiro exhibition is now running without any problems.

The space for this exhibition was first cleared and then constructed.

It was fascinating to feel like I was peering into Jiro's mind during the construction process, and looking back on it as a valuable time during which I made many discoveries.

Before visiting Utsushiki, Jiro had thoroughly created an image of his exhibition using 3D CAD.

It was very impressive to see how they constructed that image on site, and if they felt something was not quite right, they would tear down the original image and create a space from a new image.

Jiro's light-hearted thinking allows him to respond flexibly to situations without getting too attached to his original image.

Looking at the completed space, I realized that the depth of the final product was enhanced precisely because the artist had thoroughly considered and imagined the space beforehand.

The space has been transformed into something that is not like the usual permanent exhibition space for utsushiki, and the new expressions on the utsushiki make it feel very refreshing.

It is a wonderful space that harmonizes "wood and aluminum," "space and artwork," and "natural light and lighting," so please don't miss this opportunity to come and visit Utsushiki.

The highlight of the current exhibition is undoubtedly the fire starter.

Samples were prepared so that we could actually try it out, and I was excited to try it out, but it was extremely difficult.

When I watch Jiro doing it, it looks very easy, but when I actually try it, it doesn't work at all.

"There's a trick to it."

Jiro taught me the trick, and I somehow managed to start a fire by myself.

When I think about the history of how people in the distant past made fire in order to survive,
It becomes hard to tell whether we are evolving or devolving as people.

Considering the convenient times and environment we live in, a fire starter like this one may not be necessary in modern life.

However, after using Jiro's "fire starter" once again, I feel that we must not forget that there are also senses that we lose because of this convenience.

In our everyday lives we rarely think about the principles of how fire starts or the value of fire, but these feelings are ones that I want to cherish for the rest of my life, and I believe that these feelings are what make us stronger as people.

The work may be outdated and out of date, but once you experience Jiro's "fire starter," you will surely discover a feeling you had forgotten.

The exhibition will run until Sunday, August 1st.

We look forward to seeing you!

Yudai Oda