In Japan, people have long cherished living in harmony with nature, embracing its beauty and power with deep reverence. Seasonal transitions and natural rhythms are intricately woven into daily life and culture, shaping Japan’s distinctive aesthetic.

This exhibition highlights the deep connection with nature that, though gradually fading in modern times, has been carefully passed on through daily life. It introduces six artists who incorporate this relationship into their creative practices, offering a visual exploration of the journey of life. They engage sincerely with the materials they encounter, such as driftwood, used cardboard, and animal glue obtained through hunting, creating works through an ongoing dialogue with these materials. While each piece carries its own unique expression, together they guide visitors toward a shared contemplation. At a time of growing concerns over environmental destruction and climate change, this exhibition encourages a reconsideration of humanity’s relationship with nature through these works, offering an opportunity to reflect on daily lives and actions.

[Exhibiting artists]

Haruhi Hokari

Haruhi Hokari was born in 1990 in Aichi Prefecture. She dismantles and reconstructs the paintings she has created, transforming them into new forms. This act challenges conventional notions of art and can be seen as a process of artistic recycling.

Tatsuya Miyakawa

Tatsuya Miyakawa was born in 1961 in Gifu Prefecture. He creates sculpture works, utilizing trees that have been felled but were left unused as lumber.

With over 30 years of experience in arts education, his pursuit of creation imbues a supple gentleness and beauty.

Norihisa Mizuta

Norihisa Mizuta was born in 1977 in Tokyo. Utilizing driftwood and discarded furniture, he strives to leave them as untouched as possible, allowing their natural beauty to shine through. His approach is nothing less than the creation of new value.

Aoi Nagasawa

Aoi Nagasawa was born in 1994 in Akita Prefecture. She is deeply drawn to the Matagi culture, particularly the hunting traditions of northeastern Japan, and has obtained a hunting license herself. With great respect for the lives of creatures, utilizing every part without waste, and connecting them to other lives, this act embodies a fundamental cycle that has been passed down through the ages.

Hatsune Suzuki

Hatsune Suzuki was born in 1995 in Kanagawa Prefecture. She creates two-dimensional artworks, utilizing natural materials and plants she has cultivated herself. By re-experiencing traditional materials and handcrafting techniques that have been passed down through generations, she explores the origins of contemporary creation.

Taki Tamada

Taki Tamada was born in 1983 in Hyogo Prefecture. Skillfully employing used cardboard, she creates three-dimensional works that uniquely capture the beauty and essence of living creatures. She also shares her original technique, which maximizes the potential of cardboard, in the field of art education.

Organizing and Planning: WHAT MUSEUM

Endorsement: Shinagawa City and Shinagawa City Board of Education

Supervision: Kei Tatejima (Head Curator at the Sato Museum of Art / Art Critic)

[Audio Guides]

By downloading the official WHAT MUSEUM app, visitors can use the audio guide when visiting the museum. (Free) The Japanese audio guide navigator for this exhibition is Ryoko Kobayashi, an actor. She will offer accessible explanations of the artworks on display and highlights of the exhibition to help visitors better appreciate the exhibition.

Profile of Ryoko Kobayashi

Ryoko Kobayashi was born in 1989 in Tokyo. She began her career in show business at the age of four, appearing in numerous dramas and films, including the NHK television series Tora ni Tsubasa (The Tiger and Her Wings). Alongside her acting career, she became involved in agriculture in 2014. In 2021, she founded AGRIKO Inc., where she manages AGRIKO FARM and develops art-related projects. Expanding her career beyond acting and entrepreneurship, she has also contributed to news programs and hosted radio shows, broadening her professional pursuits across multiple fields.