Sowing seeds: Tokyo artist Azuma Makoto presents first US solo show at Chamber
Botanically-minded Japanese artist Azuma Makoto has debuted his new Polypore collection for Chelsea boutique Chamber’s fifth capsule collection. Curated by multidisciplinary artist Andrew Zuckerman, it is Makoto’s first solo US show and part of Zuckerman’s year-long exploration of nature and humanity with the gallery.
‘I’ve been following Azuma’s work for a long time – he’s incredible,’ says Zuckerman. ‘I wanted to show his scope from a micro to a very broad sense. These pieces relate how he sees nature and how he processes forms in nature in the most contemporary way.’ For the Polypore sculptures, Makoto grafted gold, copper, and platinum onto the titular lifeform – shelf-like fungi that grow on tree trunks. It's a tactical continuation of his work, mixing artificial and natural elements.
‘As Americans, we see nature in a very untouched way; it's at its very highest when we don’t touch it,’ says Zuckerman. ‘In Japan there is a long tradition of arranging nature, such as ikebana [the art of flower arrangement]. Azuma understands that he needs to release the potential of this, and in pieces like Polypore he is showing the rawness of nature by giving us a contrasting touch point with the metal material.’
The show also includes some of Makoto’s well-known pieces, such as photographs from 2014's Exobiotanica series, for which he made headlines by sending botanical sculptures into space; Crystal Seedcases, one of his earlier projects from 2006; and two new additions to his Shiki 1 collection, an exploration of pine trees through experimental ikebana. Other objects have a personal attachment: Botanical Sofa came from Makoto’s own office and Botanical Bicycle is a fully functioning bicycle that he rode around Tokyo. ‘I live in [the city] so I like to keep reminders of nature close to me,’ he says.
‘Capsule #5’ is the largest collection of objects (37) that Makoto has presented in the US.
‘Andrew’s way of showing the work is really interesting,’ says Makoto. ‘In my gallery I show just one specific piece or one scene, so it is strange to see it all mixed together – I am really enjoying it though.’
INFORMATION
‘Capsule #5: Azuma Makoto’ is on view until 30 April. For more information, visit Chamber’s website
Photography: Shiinoke Shunsuke
ADDRESS
515 West 23rd Street
New York, NY
10011
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Derek Jarman's House: Inside Prospect Cottage
A new book shines a spotlight inside Derek Jarman's Dungeness 'escape house'
By Caragh McKay Published
-
Warren Street Hotel is a colourful marvel in downtown Tribeca
The Warren Street Hotel boasts a distinct blue façade by Stonehill Taylor and eclectic interiors by Kit Kemp Design Studio
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Herbar’s barrier cream repairs skin damage using medicinal mushrooms
Herbar has launched The Barrier Cream, which harnesses the healing power of mushrooms and adaptogens to repair, soothe and protect the skin barrier
By Hannah Tindle Published
-
‘LA Gun Club’: artist Jane Hilton on who’s shooting who
‘LA Gun Club’, an exhibition by Jane Hilton at New York’s Palo Gallery, explores American gun culture through a study of targets and shooters
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Detroit Institute of Arts celebrates Black cinema
‘Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971’ at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) brings lost or forgotten films, filmmakers and performers to a contemporary audience
By Anne Soward Published
-
BLUM marks 30 years of Japanese contemporary art in America
BLUM will take ‘Thirty Years: Written with a Splash of Blood’ to its New York space in September 2024, continuing its celebration of Japanese contemporary art in America
By Timothy Anscombe-Bell Published
-
Todd Gray’s sculptural photography collages defy dimension, linearity and narrative
In Todd Gray’s New York exhibition, he revisits his 40-year archive, fragmented into elaborated frames that open doors for new readings
By Osman Can Yerebakan Published
-
Frieze LA 2024 guide: the art, gossip and buzz
Our Frieze LA 2024 guide includes everything you need to know and see in and around the fair
By Renée Reizman Published
-
New York artist Christopher Astley showcases an alternative natural world
At Martos Gallery in New York, Christopher Astley’s paintings evoke an alternative natural world and the chaos of warfare (until 16 March 2024)
By Tianna Williams Published
-
The Whitney plots Harold Cohen’s artistic AI adventures
‘Harold Cohen: AARON’, at the Whitney Museum of American Art celebrates the artist’s software – the earliest AI program for artmaking – as an artwork in its own right
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Ludovic Nkoth’s vibrant paintings reflect on migration
Cameroon-born, New York-based Ludovic Nkoth uses acrylic paint to strike a balance between abstraction and figuration
By Ugonna-Ora Owoh Published