【KOTARO NUKAGA】 【On sale from 11/16 (Sat)! ] Maison Special x contemporary artist Keita Morimoto’s collaboration knit, “vending machine” work in jacquard knit
KOTARO NUKAGA Press release: November 12, 2024 [On sale from 11/16 (Sat)! ] Maison Special x contemporary artist Keita Morimoto’s collaboration knit, “vending machine” work in jacquard knitting A long-awaited apparel collaboration product with artist Keita Morimoto, who uses dramatic expressions of light to bring classical techniques into the modern era, transforming ordinary cityscapes into a dramatic world. will be released!
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-a8693e87496104345517a9f129875419-1280×1600.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-e88fea9774c70208a80009378c0bad4f-1272×1530.png Keita Morimoto will release unisex knits in collaboration with MAISON SPECIAL. It will be on sale from Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Maison Special Men’s retailers. For this collaboration, we selected two works of vending machines that often appear in Morimoto’s works, “Summer Rain” and “Before The End,” which are characteristic scenes that symbolize Japanese urban life, and translated them into knitwear. The knits are made using a jacquard knitting machine using six different colors of yarn, similar to pointillism. While recreating the mysterious light and atmosphere of the work, we pursue the expression unique to knit. We have worked hard to place the artwork on the curved parts of the shoulders and sleeves, focusing on creating the most natural and beautiful balance when worn. On Saturday, November 16th, 17:00-20:00, Morimoto will be visiting MAISON SPECIAL AOYAMA for a launch event. Please come and visit us on this occasion.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-3aace0f9bef753f5506451c83ab3b507-1218×1526.png Work image《Summer Rain》
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-aa2e7d94d26e28189d33ad726f66ac83-1172×1526.png Work image《Before The End》 [Collaboration knit details] “6 Color Jacquard Prime Over Crew Neck Knit Pullover” 38,500 yen Release date: Saturday, November 16, 2024 Sales stores: Maison Special men’s stores, official online store Size: 1, 2 *Limited to stores *Limited quantity [Launch event] Keita Morimoto will be visiting the store and selling collaboration sweaters. Date and time: November 16th (Sat) 17:00-20:00 Venue: MAISON SPECIAL AOYAMA Address: Grasseria Aoyama, 5-4-41 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-628a2cf1472a4bda0996d8a4cc5dfeb3-1280×1536.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-1f472e374754c4bb0a2435792c8bf0f6-1280×1536.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-2a4490a39c4bcb750d8cd043d204efd6-1280×1536.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-16929740ff4e41b5b489ab433d550968-1280×1536.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-35a0c29833743d18c7e32d95dccc6475-1280×1536.jpg Currently being held at the same time at Ginza Tsutaya Bookstore! Keita Morimoto Solo Exhibition “KEITA MORIMOTO Illuminated Solitude”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-9420de564af3bd541ba746c87a21e49e-1800×1200.jpg In addition, Keita Morimoto is currently holding a solo exhibition to commemorate the publication of his first collection of works titled “KEITA MORIMOTO Illuminated Solitude” at the Ginza Tsutaya Bookstore GINZA ATRIUM from November 9th (Saturday) to November 27th
(Wednesday). It’s inside. At the launch event, along with the collaboration sweater, the recently published collection of works “KEITA MORIMOTO Illuminated Solitude” will also be on sale. Morimoto will autograph the collection for those who purchase the collection. -Artist statement- This is my first collection of works that I have decided to publish, and this exhibition, while looking back on my own creative activities over the past 12 years, will focus on themes such as the conflict and loneliness I feel in the city, and the feeling of wanting to escape from everything. I am. When I moved from Osaka to Canada in 2006 at the age of 16, I felt an intense sense of
loneliness, as if I had been cut off from the world I was used to. As time passed, a sense of camaraderie gradually emerged, but there was always a slight sense of discomfort. When I returned to Japan in 2021, I was confused by what was considered “normal” there, and even though I was born and raised in my home country, I often didn’t understand what was real here. Through these experiences, I believe that my work reflects a strong sense that reality is not monolithic. Even if you live in the same country, you feel a sense of discomfort when stepping into a different community – this may be similar to the sense of alienation I felt in a foreign country. And even if you are in the same place, you can see a completely different reality depending on how you feel at that moment, and I always think that it is at such moments that the truth deep in the human heart emerges. My works intentionally do not have a fixed story, but that doesn’t mean they just leave a blank space. Each work is like a “device” that allows the viewer to realize the emotions and questions deep within their hearts. The main theme I depict is the sense of discomfort and loneliness felt within society, a structure that demands conformity. I continue to draw pictures in an attempt to express the questions that arise in my daily life, such as “Can I stay here?”, the slight anxiety I feel in the city, and the feeling of wanting to escape from there. I hope that through this exhibition, my work will resonate with the feelings and memories of the viewers, and that it will leave a lasting impression on their hearts. Keita Morimoto Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-f941339ae2a5e30a913a5d74dd5a7468-926×990.png [Work collection details] A collection of about 100 representative works from 12 years of activity Using dramatic expressions of light that emerge on the dimly lit screen, the works depict places that are both everywhere and nowhere, and people who are both anyone and no one. Morimoto’s works, which deliberately do not have a fixed story, connect with the viewer’s personal memories and emotions, reminding us that everyone has a special story in their ordinary daily life. This long-awaited first collection of works includes approximately 100 works, ranging from his early works published in Canada to his latest works. This book allows you to immerse yourself in the world of Morimoto’s work, which is now in its 12th year. Published text [Japanese-English bilingual] ・Yasuhiro Arai (Chief Curator, Shiga Prefectural Museum of Art) “And then, the curtain of the story rises.” ・Dominique Huang (artist) “Kindred Spirits”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-bae48e20619e295dd00a13c0c0e398d3-1800×1200.jpg [Exhibition details] KEITA MORIMOTO Illuminated Solitude
Dates｜Saturday, November 9, 2024 to Wednesday, November 27, 2024 Time｜11:00-20:00 *Closed at 18:00 on the last day only Venue | Ginza Tsutaya Bookstore GINZA ATRIUM (event space) Sponsored by Ginza Tsutaya Bookstore Cooperation｜KOTARO NUKAGA Admission｜Free Contact us｜03-3575-7755 (during business hours)/info.ginza@ccc.co.jp Feature page｜ https://store.tsite.jp/ginza/event/art/42068-
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-e11f47aacc9aa81de50c3e687fed43ef-1800×1200.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-0c564964c5b32a110444fe1d4043d5b9-1800×1200.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-f0819f709f187719b067dbabbadf2045-1800×1200.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-7317abcd691b86227528c4fb7fe844ef-1800×1200.jpg Artist profile
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71871/52/71871-52-ee2abe064f2dedd5f7bc4de8e55cb24e-712×890.png Keita Morimoto (KEITA MORIMOTO) Born in Osaka in 1990. Immigrated to Canada in 2006 and graduated from Ontario College of Art (now OCAD University) in 2012. After working in Canada, he returned to Japan in 2021. Currently based in Tokyo. Morimoto, who has a strong interest in and studied the techniques and themes of Baroque painting, early 20th century American realism, and classical genre painting, draws on these traditions to create scenes from ordinary modern city life. Transform it into a special story. By depicting light symbolically, he fuses its sacred and universal nature with the harsh realities of consumer culture, creating works that resonate with historical depth and contemporary complexity. Morimoto’s work has been exhibited at the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Art, Toronto, K11 MUSEA, Horyu Art Museum, Art Gallery of Peterborough, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, and Fort Wayne Art Museum, among others. Other collections include the Shiga Prefectural Museum of Art, Arts Maebashi, High Museum of Art (USA), Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo (Italy), and Miami Museum of Contemporary Art (USA). ◼️Inquiries regarding press releases KOTARO NUKAGA PR: Mirai Matsunaga Email:
matsunaga@kotaronukaga.com / info@kotaronukaga.com
Mobile：070-3350-5109 URL: https://kotaronukaga.com/