HAKANAI: Solo Exhibition of CHIKA KATO

2023.06.03 － 2023.07.23

HAKANAI: Solo Exhibition of CHIKA KATO

“HAKANAI” is a Japanese term that expresses a state of transience, fragility, and illusion. Chika Kato utilizes glass as her medium, which possesses a duality of strength and delicacy, to depict fleeting phenomena that gradually dissipate, extracting the enduring beauty found within memories. Whether it is the translucency of ice formations, the delicateness of powdery snowflakes, the fluidity of flowing puddles, or the ephemeral descent of cherry blossom petals, Kato’s artworks evoke a poignant atmosphere deeply rooted in Japanese culture, alluding to the transient nature and inevitable disappearance of phenomena. This amalgamation of philosophical and aesthetic elements, known as “物の哀れ” or the sensitivity to things, showcases an interpretation and commentary by emerging contemporary creators.

Life and substance are both finite, while infinite time guides all things towards inevitable dissolution. Within the juxtaposition of the words “拾光” and “時光,” “時光” symbolizes the passage of time, narrating the inherent sorrow of human beings, objects, and events that cannot exist eternally. On the other hand, “拾光” represents the process of capturing light and shadow as a means of memory and remembrance, endowing them with hope and beauty.

Kato’s glass creations carry the ethereal essence of ‘light’, cradling memories that gently dissolve as time weaves its narrative. The interplay of light and glass, an exquisite blend of capture, collection, reflection, and refraction, tenderly resurrects fragments of life’s recollections. It is within the depths of this irretrievable passage of substance and time that emotions stir, guiding us to revisit and immerse ourselves in those subtly melancholic yet resplendent instances. Each moment becomes a masterpiece unto itself, cherished and unparalleled.