Surfaith: Open Studio with Tengshing Kazama
Wednesday 21 February 2018, 2pm - 8pm
In Japanese with Khmer translation
Sa Sa Art Projects, #47 St 350 (off 95)
Tengshing Kazama researches the everyday "faith" in the background of customs and practices from the standpoint of a Japanese monk. He will present “Ebb” series which started from 2011’s Japanese big earthquake. All the works to be presented at the open studio are new works that he made during his stay at Sa Sa Art Projects.
“Ebb” (水引/Mizuhiki) is a Japanese traditional wrapping ribbon for special gifts. It had originally brought to japan from China in Muromachi Period (1336-1573). During commercial transactions, the Chinese used it as a visual mark to distinguish the imported goods from the others and as a security key. But then the Japanese mistakably understood it as a special gift-wrapping ribbon to tie a special gift. As the Japanese being remarkably good at arranging things, the ancient Japanese people had arranged and developed this Chinese culture into it's own traditional culture. And now, the artist has restored the 水引/Mizuhiki to its original material and re-arranged it as a western painting to make it global.
Although Japan is constantly being threatened by both physical and social waves. However, the thing which will always be remained even after it getting swallowed up by these big waves, is the culture, no matter how it changes from its original look. In the course of its changes—be polished, be filtered, and be sublimed—“faith” floats up. (水/Mizu) = water (引/Hiki) = to draw, to retreat.
About artist
Tengshing Kazama (b.1979, Hokkaido, Japan) is an artist and a practicing Zen monk. He received an MFA from the School of Art, Musashino Art University, Japan. After completing graduate school, he received a training to be a Zen monk at Eiheiji temple. As an artist, Tengshing works with various media including drawing, sculpture, installation and performance, often drawing on an exploration of the rituals.
Select solo exhibitions are "Sapporo 500m Gallery Award Exhibition,” CAI02 Gallery, Sapporo (2017); “Walk in the Sea, Swim in the Woods," Sapporo Art Park, Sapporo (2016); and “Chaque jour manierés,” Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris (2012). Group exhibitions include “Roppongi Art Night 2016,” Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi, Tokyo; “4th Chongqing Biennale,” Sichuan Academy Museum, Chongqing, China (2015); “Think of ENERGY From experience of FUKUSHIMA,” Federal Foreign Office, Berlin, Germany (2014); and “Ezotic Caravan: From North of Japan,” Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo (2014).
Tengshing has undertaken a residency at Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris, as a representative of Musashino Art University. He received several awards including the Grand Prize at both the 5th Sapporo 500m Gallery Award 2016 and JR Tower ART BOX 2016, and Excellence Award at the Tokyo Midtown Award 2015. More about Tengshing Kazama at: http://www.tengshing-k.com
