Curator Talk: Yuko Hasegawa- Soft Conceptualism and the new generation of Japanese artists

The shared attitude of young Japanese artists in the 2000s was to turn elements of their surroundings, such as news, society, culture and nature, into tools that can be freely incorporated into their artwork. In a complex time when it is hard to understand current situations or social structures, this must be the process to form a new reality.

By creating, visualising and intervening in their surroundings, they try to share with the audience their viewpoints and present their own vision of the zeitgeist. Their aim to communicate their hidden thoughts and potential, which has grown stronger since the Fukushima accident, can be defined as “soft conceptualism”.

The topic was introduced by three parts in the talk. The first part will include artists who deliver social statements by their performance through multimedia; Chim↑Pom, Meiro Koizumi, Contact Gonzo and Sputniko!

The second is Lyota Yagi, who attempts to give birth to a new awareness and narrative by combining sound, video, sculpture, picture and text.

The third introduces Kohei Nawa, Junya Ishigami and Rhizomatiks, who feature works that cross over design and art, continuing to incorporate new technology and information into their works, and attempting to highlight a new vision.

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