[Urban Research, Inc.] Three-dimensional art with a new perspective, born from ikezu stones
Urban Research, Inc. Press Release: October 20, 2025 Three-dimensional art with a new perspective, born from Ikezu stones
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increasingly difficult to obtain. Please come and experience the world of Funny Dress-up Lab, which expresses the various possibilities of dress-up stickers. On the first day of the event, we will be holding a reception party that is open to the public.
Statement Yoshikage Kajiwara (LOWERCASE), who contacted me this time, asked me to create a piece that embodies my idea of Kyoto. When I heard the theme, the first thing that came to mind was the “ikezu stone” (※1) that you see in the alleys of Kyoto. These stones are used to prevent cars from crashing into houses and other structures, but I began to feel uneasy about them soon after moving to Kyoto. This is because I felt that these simple stones were a unique part of the local culture, encouraging consideration. For this new work, I 3D scanned an actual “Ikezu Stone” placed in an alleyway and then 3D printed it to recreate it. By placing the replicated “Ikezu Stone” on a pedestal featuring the Zen painting “□△○” (※2), I raise fundamental questions about culture and existence. Supporting the “Ikezu Stone” are three pillars made from my art supplies, Mini 4WD (※3) dress-up stickers, representing the pillars of childhood play that support culture. The piece conveys the message that “the purity of a young heart has the power to question cultural stereotypes.” It is a device that encourages people to consider questions like, “What is an Ikezu Stone?”, “What is a stone?”, and “What are culture and customs?” through board game-like play rather than using difficult language. I hope that not only will you enjoy the artwork, but that playing with it will also give you an opportunity to think about the strangeness that surrounds you. Footnotes ※1: “Ikezu stones” can be found mainly in the Kinki region, especially in Kyoto. ※2: A famous Zen painting depicting a combination of “□△○” is by Sengai Gibon. ※3: Mini 4WD is a registered trademark of Tamiya Co., Ltd. I was invited by Yoshikage Kajiwara (LOWERCASE) to create a work that embodies what Kyoto feels like to me. The first image that came to mind was the ikezu-ishi seen in Kyoto’s alleyways [1]. These stones are set to keep cars and the like from hitting houses, yet soon after moving to Kyoto I felt a certain unease-because what is “just a stone” also seemed to function as a locally specific mechanism that invites consideration and care. In this new work, I 3D-scan an actual ikezu-ishi and reproduce it using 3D printing. I place the duplicate on a base that gives three-dimensional form to the Zen motif “□△○”-square, triangle, circle [2]-to open up fundamental questions of culture and being. The ikezu-ishi is supported by three pillars made from Mini 4WD dress-up stickers-my primary material-turning childhood play into the very columns that uphold culture [3]. This carries the message that the innocence of a child’s mind can unsettle cultural preconceptions, and serves as an apparatus for reflecting-not through difficult language but through a board-game-like mode of play-on the questions “What is an ikezu-ishi?” is a stone?” “What are culture and custom?” I hope the work offers not only something to look at, but also a prompt-through play-to think about the small frictions you notice around you. Notes ※1 Ikezu-ishi: Stones set at alley corners to protect houses; found mainly in the Kansai region, especially Kyoto, with examples elsewhere in Japan. ※2 □△○: A trio of basic forms; Zen paintings that combine square, triangle, and circle are famously associated with the Zen monk Sengai Gibon. ※3 Trademarks: Mini 4WD is a registered trademark of Tamiya, Inc.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/3710/1319/3710-1319-33440123af385b43e5e7ee803261ca5d-600×900.jpg “IKEZU” Play in Support of the Unseen [Event period] November 7th (Friday) to November 16th (Sunday), 2025 [Holding store] URBAN RESEARCH KYOTO 285 Enpukuji-mae-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 604-8045 TEL: 050-2017-9156 @ urbanresearch_kyoto / @ urban_research [Cooperation] SK Fine Co., Ltd. Shinkogeisha [About the Exhibition and Sales of Artwork] – Artworks on display are available for purchase. If you see a work that interests you, please speak to a member of staff nearby. – Please refrain from touching the artworks. – Some works may be available for collection after the exhibition has concluded. More information will be provided on the spot. Reception Party Information To celebrate the unveiling of Funny Dress-up Lab’s new products, we will be holding a reception party open to everyone. A small catering service will be provided on the day. Please enjoy a relaxing time with light snacks and beverages. [Date and Time] Friday, November 7, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM *Free admission [Location] URBAN RESEARCH KYOTO 2F *1F is open as usual Sound: TOPICS100 Foods: RUTUBO (@ izakaya_rutubo) / Rokuzaemon (@ 6zaemon9)
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/3710/1319/3710-1319-41bcbed877bb3fe9715dce68dbc620fa-600×776.jpg Funny Dress-up Lab Born in 1978. Originally from Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture. Currently living in Kyoto Prefecture. Fascinated by the various aspects of dress-up stickers that were originally produced and sold to dress up Mini 4WDs, such as their vibrant colors, unique shapes, misregistration, and the fact that they are dead stock, he creates collage works using only dress-up stickers without altering them. When the dress-up stickers in the world are all used up, his production will come to an end. Born in 1978. Born in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture. Lives in Kyoto. He is fascinated by various aspects of the dress-up stickers that were produced to decorate the Mini 4WD cars, such as their vivid colors and unique shapes. He makes collage works using the stickers without otherwise processing or altering them. The stickers are no longer in production, so when all the Mini 4WD stickers in the world are used up, his production of this work will end. Instagram @ fxdul
