Kazuhito Tanaka "Untitled Composition"

28 January - 18 February 2012

Maki Fine Arts is proud to present "Untitled Composition," a solo show by Kazuhito Tanaka opening Saturday, January 28, 2012. Recipient of the TOKYO FRONTLINE 2011 PHOTO AWARD, the up-and-coming artist will present a brand new installation consisting of photographs taken at a now-defunct elementary school utilizing the entire gallery space. This will be the artist's very first show in Tokyo.

The "Untitled Composition" series features works that originated from photographs taken at an elementary school that was forced to close its doors. The installation will consists of pictures taken of items found in the school, such as chairs and objects that have been abandoned in the classroom, which I combine together before taking a photograph in order to create a new still life. I have also taken pictures of group photos found hanging on the walls, drawings produced by previous residences, and text excerpts of student essays. I then digitally pixelate the new photographs to transform them into abstract work.
By first deconstructing one's inherent memories associated with elementary schools, and then reconstructing it, I aim to substitute the memories originally belonging to others to living memories that now belong to the viewer.

--Kazuhito Tanaka


[Artist Bio]
Born in 1973, Kazuhito Tanaka graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York in 2004. He is the recipient of the TOKYO FRONTLINE PHOTO AWARD in 2011. He continues to produce photographic works that search the boundaries between abstract and concrete. He lives and works in Kyoto, Japan.

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Kazuhito Tanaka "Untitled Composition"
2010-11, color photograph

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Kazuhito Tanaka "Untitled Composition"
2010-11, color photograph

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Installation View

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Installation View

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Installation View

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Installation View

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Installation View

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Installation View

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Installation View

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Installation View

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Installation View