We are pleased to announce Takashi Hinoda's solo exhibition ‘Alternative Muscles ’ at imura art gallery tokyo. This exhibition traveled from imura art gallery kyoto (exhibited from 2011.6.4 to 7.23). At imura art gallery kyoto, it was the second solo show for him at our gallery since 2009.

Takashi Hinoda, born in Kobe, 1968, works and lives in Kyoto. He graduated from Osaka University of Arts, Major in ceramics, 1991. Currently, teaches at Kyoto Saga University of Arts.

Takashi Hinoda has expressed his ceramic works using graphic and characters inspired by Japanese manga and American comics. Between 2004 and 2005, Hinoda began experimenting with the two-dimensional space on the surface of his forms. He uses a unique style of drawing and vivid color areas, skillfully manipulating self-adhesive sheets. The three-dimensional forms intersect and co-exist with the two-dimensional expression on their surface. Hinoda refers to this world as “2.5 dimensions.” In it, we move back and forth between real and virtual dimensions with a sense of something strange occurring in the encounter with eccentric forms.

The installation made by Hinoda is also remarkable. He creates the space by cutting and putting self-adhesive sheets, like his works, on the wall, the floor and the ceiling . It seems like getting the graphic and the lines out from the surface of his works. Hinoda’s works and his installation have appreciated in Japan, Asian countries, U.S. and in Europe.

In this exhibition at imura art gallery tokyo, we present about 5 works. Hinoda will show the audiences his original vision for the form of body in the future as-yet-unknown.

On 20th August (18:00-), we will have the artist talk; Takashi Hinoda x Hitoshi Odajima (illustrator, designer). Please come visit us and enjoy the exhibition and the altist talk on 20th August.

Hitoshi ODAJIMA
He is an illustrator / designer who was born in 1972 in Tokyo and graduated from Kuwasawa design school. He started his career by creating designs for CD cover jackets and books as a freelance worker in 1995. Afterward he extended his field of work not onl y to illustrations and graphic designs but also Manga and exhibiting activities. His published books includes “無 FOR SALE” (NAUGHT FOR SALE) (’04), “2027” (collaboration with Kurando Furuya and Tomoki Kurokawa) (’07), and supervised book “Pop Illustrations in 1980’s” (’09). He forms a unit “BEST MUSIC” with Shinichi Hosono and they released an install CD “MUSIC FOR SUPERMARKET” in 2007. His first art work collection “ANONYMOUS POP” has been published in 2010. He currently continues his creation actively. Official website of Hitoshi Odajima　http://www.odajimahitoshi.com/

Artist Statement
Ever since a life came to be on this planet, it continued to metamorphose its body figure parallel with the surrounding environment.
However the system of the environment collapsed as human beings had started to dominate over the environment and alternating its nature.

It seems to me none of bone, skin or muscle of our body are able to follow this rapid change. Yet one musician said – as a respond to the question about music of 21st century- as follows-, “We, as human beings, are just at the stage of primitive. And just as we develop new muscles by accepting changes, we are to transform ourselves through a long period of discipline.” Would that transformation be an unprecedented mutational change?

Or something major that would conquer the traditional ethics?
Either way there is no doubt that it will be as drastic as the transformation of when the first fish landed and walked on earth.

Wherever would we be when this transformation occurs?
Will we be still on the earth?

As much difficulty we are having for human beings to remain in one kind as now, the vision of divided paths is flitting in my head.

* The text provided by IMURA ART GALLERY

Period: Saturday, August 6 - Saturday, September 3, 2011
Venue: IMURA ART GALLERY TOKYO
Artist talk & Openng reception: Saturday, August 20, 2011, 18:00 -