EXHIBITION
October 12 – October 23, 2015
Commons GalleryFlickr images
Artist RYUTA NAKAJIMA brings together multiple artists and their works based on the theme of cephalopods.
For centuries, cephalopod, such as octopus, squid and cuttlefish, has fascinated artists and artisans across many coastline cultures. It has been represented in murals, mosaics, paintings, tattoos, figurines, toys, consumer products, sculptures, jewelry, etc. A simple web search for “octopus” and “squid” images exceeds 55 million hits in English language alone, which well exceeds a search for “Andy Warhol” at 14 million hits. This number is phenomenal considering that most of us have never seen one before. This exhibition attempts to investigate this deep cultural kinship towards cephalopod which may include emotional, socio-political, formal, metaphorical, nutritional, biological, environmental and religious factors. Furthermore, using cephalopod as a vehicle, this exhibition is an attempt to create a truly valuable interdisciplinary platform to discuss the current trends in both art and science. This, in turn, will comparatively help deeper understanding of humanity and its position.
CEPHALOPOD INTERFACE is an exhibition inspired by an interdisciplinary scientific symposium entitled「頭足類学を興す」which roughly translates to “The Start of Cephalopodology” in 2014. The symposium attempted to define a new arena of investigation surrounding one of the most enigmatic group of animal “cephalopod” by bringing together researchers of diverse academic fields such as oceanography, behaviorology, genetics, fishery science, museum study, media and art. This exhibition at the Commons Gallery will feature 13 international artists.
EXHIBITION
NEW NEW YORK: ABSTRACT PAINTING IN THE 21ST CENTURYOctober 4 – December 4, 2015
The Art Gallery at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Resurgence of Abstract Art Examined at UH Manoa Exhibit
Welcome to the Sentient World: The New Abstraction by Noe Tanigawa, Hawai’i Public Radio
An Examination of Abstract Art_Honolulu Star Advertiser111515.pdf
EVENTSfree and open to the public Sunday, October 4 / The Art Gallery
2-3 pm, Gallery walk-through with curators Debra Drexler + Liam Davis and Intersections Visiting Artist Barbara Takenaga
3-5 pm, Reception Monday, October 5 / ART Auditorium
6-7:30 pm, Panel discussion with NEW NEW YORK curators Liam Davis and Debra Drexler and artists Paul Behnke, Amanda Church, and Lucas Moran Tuesday, October 6 / ART Auditorium
6-7:30 pm, An Overview of Works by Barbara Takenaga
Public lecture by Barbara Takenaga, Intersections Visiting Artist Sunday, November 1 / The Art Gallery
2-3 pm, Gallery walk-through with curator Debra Drexler Wednesday, November 18 / ART Auditorium
6:00-6:30 pm, Light reception
6:30-8:00 pm, Revolution in (Re)Form: More Thoughts on Abstract Painting Today
Public lecture by author and NEW NEW YORK essayist Marco Antonini
Antonini’s eponymous essay is a departure point for this lecture This exhibition examines the phenomenon and reasons for the resurgence of abstraction. Works by approximately 30 New York artists are featured. Internationally recognized artists include Elise Adibi, John Allmaier, Timothy Atticus, Paul Behnke, Amanda Church, Vince Contarino, Paul Corio, Peggy Cyphers, Theresa Daddezio, Lisa Corinne Davis, Rob de Oude, Jon Elliott, Robert Otto Epstein, Franklin Evans, Rico Gatson, Enrico Gomez, Clare Grill, Shirley Kaneda, Julie Mehretu, Lucas Moran, George Negroponte, Odili Donald Odita, Gary Petersen, Jenna Ransom, Jered Sprecher, Barbara Takenaga, Julie Torres, Terry Winters, Robert Yasuda, and John Zinsser.