#Japan #Tokyo #Glass Art #YUGEN Gallery #Fangzhou Yuan

A Journey through 'The Critical State' by Fangzhou Yuan

YUGEN Gallery in Tokyo is set to host an exciting solo exhibition titled "The Critical State" by the talented glass artist Fangzhou Yuan, commencing on September 12, 2026, and running until October 7, 2026. Bacng on themes of artificiality intersecting with nature, Yuan's works embody a constant state of transformation, akin to the concepts of journey and transition.

Yuan’s artistic exploration delves into the notion of a "critical state," a term that embraces the transitional phases between solid and fluid, controlled and random, creation and dissolution. Through diverse processes such as firing, breaking, cutting, polishing, and layering, Yuan manifests cracks, distortions, and cross-sections into his pieces, making them integral aspects of his artistry.

The intrinsic properties of glass—its capacity to flow under heat and its susceptibility to distort under cooling and gravity—reflect the challenges faced in controlling the material completely. Hence, Yuan reconciles the intentions of human creation with the unpredictable forces of nature, forging a dialogue between the two in his installation.

At this exhibition, attention will not merely focus on individual works but rather on their relationships—their proximity, height, and interaction with the surrounding space. As visitors navigate the gallery, the changing angles and light will reveal the varying expressions of glass, from its translucency to its surfaces marked by cracks and layers. Through this multitude of perspectives, an experience reminiscent of architectural remnants or nature's formless strata emerges.

This presentation prompts us to internalize a state that is neither entirely constructed nor completely in ruins, capturing the essence of a transient moment where creation and decay coalesce. Yuan's intention is to shift the focus from static finalities to instants in the ongoing processes of transformation, making visible the unstable beings termed ‘critical states’ throughout the spatial narrative.

Artist's Statement

In discussing "The Critical State," Yuan defines this concept as one existing at the boundary of transitioning from one condition to another. His artistic practice revolves around ambiguities present in interactions between artificiality and nature, control and chance, creation and decline.

Glass serves as an ideal metaphor for exploring these critical states, being both human-made and derived from natural materials. Its ability to transition from rigid solid to a fluid state reflects a relationship that eludes complete mastery by human intent. Through his work, Yuan presents these instabilities and changes to articulate a critical body existing between the realms of the artificial and the natural.

With a strong foundation in advanced glass-making techniques honed at Tsinghua University in China, Yuan has deepened his exploration as a contemporary artist at the Tokyo University of the Arts, focusing on the intrinsic qualities and phenomena of materials. Influenced by contemporary Japanese styles such as the Mono-ha movement, his approach embraces natural occurrences like heat, gravity, and time, allowing evidence of these forces to coexist within his creations.

As a result, Yuan creates expressions that are beautiful yet uncertain, existing at the juncture of human craftsmanship and uncontrollable natural phenomena. His work rises at the threshold of the critical, capturing the essence of materials that continually reshape themselves. This remarkable showcase promises to engage visitors with visual experiences that challenge perceptions and provoke contemplation.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase works during the exhibition, with the viewing and purchasing processes facilitated online via the YUGEN Gallery's official store.

For additional details, visit the gallery’s official website: YUGEN Gallery.

Exhibition Details

• - Title: The Critical State
• - Date: September 12, 2026 – October 7, 2026
• - Opening Hours: Weekdays 1 PM – 7 PM, Weekends and Holidays 1 PM – 8 PM
• - Location: YUGEN Gallery, 4F KD Minato Aoyama Building, 3-1-31 Minato, Tokyo
• - Admission: Free

Related Works

Explore evocative pieces such as "Intermediate Body VIII" and "Intermediate Body II" among others, each telling their own story through the lens of criticality!

About the Artist

Fangzhou Yuan was born in Liaoning Province, China. After completing his studies in Crafts at Tsinghua University in 2018, he moved to Japan and graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts’ graduate program in 2020. Currently, he is pursuing his doctorate at the same institution, focusing on the interrelationships amongst people, objects, and nature through various media, including glass, sculpture, painting, and video. Yuan's work reflects ideas influenced by post-minimalism and Eastern philosophies, particularly Buddhism, emphasizing a symbiotic relationship with materials.

Noteworthy Achievements

• - 2022: Excellent Prize at the 22nd Art Meets Architecture Competition
• - 2021: Selected for the 24th Taro Okamoto Contemporary Art Prize Exhibition

YUGEN Gallery, founded in February 2022, is dedicated to showcasing contemporary Japanese art and aims to bring the charm of Japan’s unique aesthetic concepts, rooted in yugen or subtle grace, to a broader audience. With locations in Minato Aoyama, Tokyo and Tenjin, Fukuoka, the gallery presents diverse works from emerging artists and facilitates online sales for global audiences through its bilingual website.