Koji Kakinuma is one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Japanese calligraphy, with a strong influence on free-form art and performance. He gained widespread recognition through his unique artistic performances, during which he created monumental calligraphic paintings with giant brushes, accompanied by traditional musical instruments. He further developed this artistic approach through the use of so-called infinitely repeated maxims, emphasizing individual calligraphic techniques. Currently, he has expanded these two styles to include calligraphic tape work, where the final artwork is created from quickly torn adhesive tape of varying thickness, which he uses to craft the final piece. Speed is key to all these techniques, which Kakinuma expresses through the movement of his body in sync with the musical rhythm. Calligraphy requires physical movement to create a single, unique piece of art. For Kakinuma, speed becomes a significant means of generating the final, unrepeatable image, which speaks to the viewer not only through its content but also through its unique, expressive form. In his most recent work, Kakinuma transcends the basic boundaries of traditional Japanese calligraphy, as he uses this "calligraphic" technique to create not only texts but also more visually complex compositions with a figurative character. Thus, a form of calligraphy emerges that is deliberately separated from the nuances of the genre traditionally defined by brush and ink.
For the Liberec Gallery, Kakinuma has prepared a special mix that represents all his fundamental forms of expression. Together with the exhibition curator, Filip Suchomel, they selected 40 iconic works from his past creations, which will introduce visitors to all the main forms of Kakinuma's brushwork, including large-scale paintings. The project will also feature a live performance by Koji Kakinuma, which will take place in the pool hall of the Liberec Gallery during the exhibition's opening. From this performance, additional artworks will emerge, which are also expected to be presented at the exhibition.
Recently, Kakinuma has presented his work at several international projects, including exhibitions and performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Mika Gallery and the MET in New York, Marueido Gallery in Tokyo, the 21st Century Museum of Art in Kanazawa, and many other exhibition projects. He was also one of the 20 official artists invited by the Japanese government to create a special artwork representing all the major genres of the Japanese art scene for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
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