√K Contemporary announce the opening of stone sculptor, Kota Kinutani’s highly anticipated solo exhibition, A Gaze from Outer Space. On view from April 13 (Sat) to May 25 (Sat), 2024, the exhibition will mark the artist’s largest solo exhibition in Tokyo and span across three floors of the gallery, from the basement to the 2nd floor. From large-scale installations to smaller works, A Gaze from Outer Space will offer viewers a chance to view a wide range of the artist’s oeuvre.
Inspired by the stone pavements and fountain sculptures he encountered in his youth in Rome and Venice, Kota Kinutani’s works are an ode to the experiences of his formative years. During University, Kinutani researched ancient ruins and stone carvings, studied petrology, and participated in Artist in Residencies. After receiving his Master's Degree from the Tokyo University of the Arts in 2003, Kinutani grew enamored by the blue granite of Brazil and, through funding from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan’s Program of Overseas Study for Upcoming Artists, began his studies at the University of São Paulo. In 2008, the artist would produce Sonho e Gratidão, a monument made to in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Japanese Immigration to Brazil, in Carmo Park, São Paulo.
One defining charm of Kinutani’s work is its tactile nature. Urging his viewers to forge a connection with his works, the artist encourages his viewers to interact with his work by touching them. A notion, that the artist calls “creative- perceptual sculpture,” Kinutani believes that, by touching stone, a material that bears the history and memories of earth, we can gain valuable knowledge that may help guide us towards the future.
A key exhibiting work of the show, Infinite Arc is part of a massive circular structure that spans a radius of several kilometers. Evoking a sense of the invisible, its presence signifies the infinite, invisible connections that extend beyond its limited, visible space. Going beyond notions of borders and categorization, Kinutani’s works give viewers a glimpse into the future and offer alternative, metaphorical utopic solutions for humanity. In addition to numerous events featuring special guests held during the show, an essay by Dr. Tetsuya Oshima (Professor, Tama Art University / Director, Tama Art University Museum), which provides an art historical approach to Kinutani’s works, will also be available via the gallery’s website as well as at the exhibition venue.
Kota Kinutani, A Gaze from Outer Space
Dates: April 13 (Saturday) to May 25 (Saturday), 2024
Venue: √K Contemporary (6 Minamicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)