Information on the two-person exhibition by Shun Kumagai and Aki Sakaida
With the beginning of spring, the weather is filled with warm sunlight.
At Utsushiki, the magnolias are beginning to swell and preparations are steadily underway for spring.
In February we will be holding our first ever two-person exhibition featuring glass artists Kumagai Shunsakita Aki .
Dates: February 18th (Sat) – February 26th (Sun)
Time 13:00 – 18:00
Artist presence day
18(Sat)
Closed days during the event
Wednesday, February 15
Location
Takashi Kumagai
1983 Born in Akita Prefecture
2007 Completed the Department of Crafts, Akita Municipal Junior College of Arts and Crafts 2009-2011 Teaching Assistant, Akita Municipal Junior College of Arts and Crafts
2012-2015 Artist affiliated with Toyama Glass Studio
2017-2020 Artist affiliated with Araya Glass Studio in Akita City 2020- Active in an atelier in Akita City
He creates glass works using casting techniques and exhibits them both in Japan and abroad.
The work is made by pouring hot liquid glass into a plaster mold and allowing it to cool and harden.
The shapes that emerge vary depending on the mold, glass, and material poured into the pot.
He intentionally blends different materials together to ensure that the individuality of the finished glass remains intact.
The plaster molds are also original, made using a specially blended modeling wax that is shaped to resemble the piece.
Temperature control is also difficult as it involves simultaneously handling both easily melting wax and glass liquid heated to about 1000 degrees.
The mold must be cooled and hardened for about a week to ten days, and to remove it the plaster must be broken and scraped away, so the mold can only be used once.
Although it is a long production process, each piece begins with shaping the wax, meaning that each piece is unique.
The clay and metal poured in together with the glass can change with the heat, giving the piece unexpected looks.
Rather than creating works that are calculated precisely, I find it fascinating to create things that give rise to unexpected, rich expressions.
Aki Sakaida
• Today, tomorrow, and the day after, through the repeated production process, through the subtle changes of the soft and elusive glass,
I enjoy the feeling of getting to know my own mind and body.
1982
Born in Akita City, Akita Prefecture
2012
Akita Municipal College of Arts and Crafts
• Graduate School Finished
2012
Moved production base to Toyama
2017
Left Toyama Glass Studio
2017
Moved production base to Akita City
This will be the first time that the material glass will be introduced in an exhibition.
Along with their works, be sure to ask the two of them about the production process as well.
What is fascinating about the exhibition is that, while the two artists appear to be close, their respective works each have their own unique style.
The appearance of the piece changes dramatically depending on the light, due to the influence of the clay and metal, so you can enjoy watching it change its appearance throughout the day.
In a dark environment, the texture of the mud stands out and at first glance it looks like earthenware, but when the morning or evening sun shines in, the characteristics of the glass are accentuated, and it is mysterious that it seems as if light is emanating from the piece itself.
I hope that those who purchase my works will enjoy feeling the passage of time and the changing seasons through the expressions of the glass.
Please come and experience the beautiful scenery lit up by the spring light, which can only be seen now.
