KÜNSTLERHAUS

BETHANIEN

Künstler*innen

Reiko Kanazawa

Japan

My recent work focuses on artworks in an everyday context. Using various media including installations, videos, sculptures, photography and drawings, I try to allow for a new perspective on ideas by putting them into unexpected shapes. My aesthetic choices often contain a trivial or ironic aspect, which aims to subvert established meanings.

The work in progress Nekonome (since 2008), for instance, consists of a two-channel video film about artworks from the early 20th century shot on location in Japan. This footage is combined with subtitles partly based on a well-known Japanese novel about a cat that observes and comments on the world of human beings. Standing in front of the video projection is the sculpture Moeder met kind (Mother With Child) by the Belgian artist George Minne. Belgian sculpture from the early 20th century is in fact very similar to Japanese sculpture from the same period (both betraying the influence of Auguste Rodin).

The staging of the installation is reminiscent of a museum setting, addressing the influence of European culture on world history and the history of art. To the extent that it adopts the perspective of a cat and exhibits copies of artworks, this installation can be seen as a satirical comment on the art world.

STAY
01.08.2010 – 31.10.2011