A 4-part series presenting 4 highlights of "Roppongi Crossing 2013: OUT OF DOUBT." The keyword for this second part of the series is "nonsense," a word key to understanding this exhibition that casts "doubt" on Japanese art and society.
The word "nonsense" here signifies not just meaningless behavior or expression. Rather it is about, in a positive way, raising issues concerning the status quo.
A modern-day decadent and rebellious spirit that has driven the popular culture of Japan. The "nonsense" that has underpinned this critical spirit has become a driving force, causing a dramatic shift in existing values. For example, the "humor" and "irrationality," among other things, found in the Ero-Guro-Nansensu (erotic/grotesque/non-sensical) of the 1930s and the avant-garde art of the 1960s appealed to the masses and their sharing in the spirit of that nonsense caused a change in important societal values.
Japanese art has inherited this heritage of "nonsense" in an unbroken line to the present day, but even in today's world, such a change in values still has validity. "Roppongi Crossing 2013: OUT OF DOUBT" examines the critical stance adopted towards art and society from the perspective of "nonsense."
Akasegawa Genpei (born 1937) (also mentioned in the first part of the series) in Sakura Gakuho, which he drew for the Asahi Journal between 1970 and 1971, parodied and satirized the events and interests of society at the time. Meanwhile, Niwa Yoshinori (born 1982) proposed to "displaying a portrait of Karl Marx" to the Japanese Communist Party, an organization that has been in existence for more than 90 years. He even had Karl Marx paged over the public address systems at Ueno Station. Both of these works cause us to reconsider various values and meanings, through acts of "nonsense" and laughter.
"Roppongi Crossing 2013: OUT OF DOUBT"
Installation view: Mori Art Museum
Niwa Yoshinori
Proposing Holding up Karl Marx to Japanese Communist Party
2013
2-channel multi video projection, loud speakers, flag, banner, panel
18 min. 2 sec.
Courtesy: Ai Kowada Gallery, Tokyo
Photo: Watanabe Osamu
■Relevant information
・OUT OF DOUBT in a Minute - website top page
・OUT OF DOUBT in a Minute - Highlights (blog link)
(1) Turning points in society explored through art past and present
(2) A critical spirit revealed by "nonsense"?
(3) Questioning the meaning of modernization from the ancient Japanese view of nature
(4) The "post-object" tendency goes global
・Mori Art Museum 10th Anniversary Exhibition
"Roppongi Crossing 2013: OUT OF DOUBT"
Saturday, September 21, 2013 - Monday, January 13, 2014
