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Unveiling the Complexities of Human Emotion: Natsuki Nakayama's Solo Exhibition

Tokyo International Gallery, located in Tennoz, Shinagawa, is set to host a thought-provoking solo exhibition titled 'From the Riverbed to the Visitors' featuring the acclaimed artist Natsuki Nakayama. This exhibition will showcase Nakayama's continuous exploration of human desires and the resulting inner conflicts, expressed through two distinct yet interconnected media: painting and film.

Natsuki Nakayama has dedicated her artistic career to delving into the emotional undercurrents that inform human existence. Her works challenge viewers to confront both their inner selves and the external world through a unique and immersive experience. By displaying her paintings alongside her films within the same space, the exhibition aims to juxtapose the stillness of paintings with the dynamic montages found in film, creating a new paradigm for viewing art.

As visitors navigate between the two forms, they are invited to engage with contrasting concepts such as self versus others, and surface versus depth. The vibrant hues and brushstrokes of Nakayama's paintings evoke emotional responses, while the cinematic elements induce feelings that resonate and intertwine with the visual experience of the paintings. This unique interplay encourages participants to traverse a realm of emotions that are often ambiguous and without clear boundaries.

The Artist's Perspective

Natsuki Nakayama describes her artistic practice as an inquiry into the uncertainties of existence and the shadows of desire. Utilizing a minimal palette consisting of red, white, and black in her paintings, she captures the echoes of impulses and the fissures of emotion in abstract forms. Her efforts extend beyond constructing images; they delve into re-examining the very act of seeing itself. In her films, she is less concerned with clear narratives or subjects and more focused on the subtleties of gaze interplay, bodily distances, and the viscosity of time, all of which transcend the visual into invisible dimensions.

Film for Nakayama serves as a reflective device that contrasts the pleasure and anxiety of looking, along with the violence and intimacy of being seen. It mirrors the complex interplay of human existence, showcasing the boundaries of what defines us. The static time captured in her paintings and the flowing time depicted in her films serve as contrasting expressions that question the limits of expression itself. It is at this intersection that she seeks to probe the ambiguous terrain between vision and body, self and other, internal and external.

Exhibition Details

The exhibition 'From the Riverbed to the Visitors' will run from May 17, 2025, to June 28, 2025, at the Tokyo International Gallery, located at 1-32-8 Higashi Shinagawa, 3F, Terrada Art Complex II, Tokyo. The gallery will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, while Wednesdays will require reservations.

To commemorate the opening, an exclusive reception will take place on May 17, 2025. The event will feature a special screening of Nakayama's film 'violation', followed by a dialogue with film director Yudai Morigaki to discuss the concepts underlying her works. This promises to be a unique opportunity for attendees to engage deeply with Nakayama's cinematic universe and artistic thoughts. The reception will begin at 16:00 with the film screening, followed by the talk session at 18:30. Attendance is free, though space is limited.

Conclusion

Natsuki Nakayama's exhibition is not merely an event; it is a profound exploration of the depths of human emotion and existence. It is a chance for the audience to engage with the dualities that comprise our identities, encouraging a dialogue that resonates within each viewer's soul. As the Tokyo International Gallery prepares to transition to a new space in July 2024, Nakayama’s exhibition stands as a testament to the gallery’s commitment to showcasing the intricate beauty of human expression through art.