#Japan #Tokyo #Otherwise Gallery #Iwasaki Tanaka #Latent Exhibition

Unveiling 'Latent' at Otherwise Gallery

From August 7 to September 12, 2026, the Otherwise Gallery in Omotesando will host a captivating exhibition titled 'Latent,' featuring the works of two talented artists, Hiromasa Iwasaki and Arashi Tanaka. This exhibition embarks on a journey through the unseen aspects of time and life's remnants, expressed through the medium of photography. Both artists, though approaching the theme from different angles, delve into the delicate relationship between life and memory.

Iwasaki’s work focuses on the connections between insects and landscapes, aiming to understand how the essence of life and environment intertwine over time. His series, "Printing Landscapes on Insects," demonstrates this idea wonderfully; it overlays photographs of the insects' habitats onto their physical bodies, visualizing the mutual impact of living beings and their surroundings. Meanwhile, his "LANDSCAPER" series employs pinhole photography using tiny openings made by insects on trees, drawing attention to the natural phenomenon of light forming images long before the advent of human photography.

In contrast, Tanaka's artistry explores crystallization as a natural process that captures air, time, and the essence of life in a material form. By immersing his photographs in mineral solutions and incorporating sounds associated with the images, he evokes a sense of the ephemeral aspects of existence. The crystals grow, transforming intangible memories and life’s essence into a more tangible medium, representing an ever-evolving presence that reflects its environment.

The title 'Latent' signifies the subtle existence of things that are not readily visible. Both Iwasaki and Tanaka aim not just to replicate the unseen but to elevate it into new forms through their unique materials and natural occurrences. This exhibition prompts us to reconsider the concept of preservation: what does it mean to retain memories, and what do we choose to remember as we navigate through the flow of time?

As visitors traverse the gallery, they can expect to engage with an array of new works that challenge the conventional understanding of preservation and memory. Iwasaki’s reflections on the interplay between insects and landscapes alongside Tanaka’s explorations into the crystallizing of memories through natural phenomena will invite thoughtful contemplation on what it truly means to keep something alive beyond its time.

Artists' Insights

Hiromasa Iwasaki

“Through insects, I explore the intricate connection between life, landscapes, and documentation. By utilizing the traces left behind by insects in my work, I aim to unveil the timelines and memories forged between living beings and their environments. My recent endeavors include collecting historical insect specimens and publishing catalogs, as well as creating digital archives through 3D scanning, weaving these elements into new narratives of time and place.”

Arashi Tanaka

“I believe that essence and energy exist within all things, organic and inorganic alike. Using crystallization, I aim to capture the pure beauty inherent in these elements, creating new forms that have never been seen before. This transformation is not just an artistic expression but a means of understanding the essence of existence through the artworks I create.”

Exhibition Details

• - Event: Latent
• - Duration: August 7, 2026 - September 12, 2026
• - Opening Reception: August 7, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• - Artist Appearances:

- August 7: Hiromasa Iwasaki, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- August 8: Hiromasa Iwasaki, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- August 14: Arashi Tanaka, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- August 22: Arashi Tanaka, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- August 29: Hiromasa Iwasaki & Arashi Tanaka, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- September 12: Hiromasa Iwasaki & Arashi Tanaka, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

• - Location: Otherwise Gallery, 5-7-17 Minami Aoyama, B1F, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• - Contact: 03-3797-1507
• - Hours: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays)
• - Special Opening Hour on August 7: Opens at 5:00 PM

For more information about the exhibition, visit: Otherwise Gallery

Artist Profiles

Hiromasa Iwasaki
Born in Tokyo in 1994, Hiromasa Iwasaki graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts with a Master's in painting. He investigates the relationship between insects, life, landscapes, and documentation, working on visual expressions that convey the intertwined timelines and memories of the land and living beings. He has recently been involved in projects that involve archiving and narrating stories through the memories embedded within specimens.

Arashi Tanaka
Born in Fukuoka in 2000, Arashi Tanaka graduated from Tama Art University with a focus on Environmental Design. Tanaka pairs photography with the natural process of crystallization to materialize time, air, and life essence. His work aims to visualize traces of existence that cannot be captured through photographs alone, producing stunning pieces that resonate with transformative beauty.