Encapsulated environmental system : Paludarium MASASHI

Frozen Flowers 2023

Cu SHIMENAWA

2025年3月20日（木）より、京都新聞ビル地下１階にてAMKKによる個展「X-Ray FLOWERS」を開催いたします。

Date : 2025 3.20 [Thu] - 30 [Sun]
Time : 11:00 - 18:00 （17:30 最終入場）入場無料
Location：京都新聞ビル地下1階  
Address：京都府京都市中京区烏丸通夷川上る少将井町239-B1F
　
※ 初日 20 [Thu] 14:00 オープニング・パフォーマンス
かねてよりAMKKと親交の深いバンド【ALGIERS（アルジェ）】をゲストに迎え、オープニングライブを行います。

特別協賛：株式会社POLA
協賛：株式会社セーニャ　青幻舎　大槻ポンプ工業株式会社　MAESTRO　河野脳神経外科病院　HUILAN WHISKY DISTILLERY

フラワーアーティストの東信は、これまで幾多の表現を通じて花や植物の美しさや可能性を探求してきた。世界各地で巨大なBotanical Sculpture といった革新的なインスタレーションを手がける一方で、花が咲いて枯ち果てるまでの変容を捉えた映像作品から子ども向けのアニメーション制作まで、常に花の持つ無限の可能性と命の尊さに対峙している。こうした活動の中で、2018年頃より、彼の関心は花の内部構造へも広がりを見せ、レントゲン撮影を通じた未知の領域への挑戦がスタートした。
本展覧会では、長年にわたり新聞を印刷してきた面影を遺す京都新聞印刷工場跡地の大空間を舞台に、そのX線写真撮影時のフィルム原版およびCTスキャンで撮影した映像を展示する。 技術の進歩により、これまで目にすることのなかった世界が可視化され、私たちは新たな視点で植物の微細で崇高な世界を目撃することになる。暗闇の中に光るその先に、多様で神秘に満ちた植物の世界が静かに立ち現れる。


Starting on Thursday, March 20, 2025, AMKK will hold a solo exhibition "X-Ray FLOWERS" on the B1F of the Kyoto Shimbun Building.

Date : 2025 3.20 [Thu] - 30 [Sun]
Time : 11:00 - 18:00 （17:30 Last entry）　
Free admission

20 [Thu] 14:00 - OPENING Live performance: ALGIERS

Location： The Kyoto Shimbun Building B1 Floor 
Address： 239-B1F, Shoshoichi-cho, Karasuma-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto


Flower artist Azuma Makoto has explored the beauty and potential of flowers and plants through numerous forms of expression. While he has created innovative installations such as monumental Botanical Sculptures around the world, he also engages with the transformation of flowers from bloom to decay through video works and even produces animations for children. Throughout these activities, he continually confronts the infinite possibilities of flowers and the preciousness of life. Since around 2018, his interests have expanded to the internal structures of flowers, leading him to embark on a challenge into unknown realms through X-ray imaging. This exhibition showcases the film originals captured during X-ray photography, as well as videos obtained through CT scans.

"X-Ray FLOWERS" reveals the inner workings of plants that are beyond human visual perception. It is an attempt to delve deeper into the essence of flowers and plants, moving beyond their surface beauty. The intricate details of leaf veins, the delicacy of petals, the strength of stems, the depths of roots, and even the minutiae of contained seeds are illuminated, showcasing the vital breath of life that resides within them. Every petal and stem exists in harmony, presenting a form that is astonishingly beautiful and powerful. Within these miraculous structures, which are beyond human comprehension, cells accumulate to form a single flower, and the aggregation of these flowers connects to the fields and mountains, contributing to the rich tapestry of our world. Reflecting on this, it can be said that all of Azuma's projects represent a collection of life from the microcosm of cells to the macrocosm of the Earth's stratosphere. This exhibition allows for a thorough exploration of that microscopic world.

With advancements in technology, a world previously unseen has been made visible, allowing us to witness the intricate and sublime realm of plants from a new perspective. Beyond the darkness, a diverse and mysterious botanical world quietly emerges, illuminated by the light of discovery.


Azuma Makoto Exhibition ”X-Ray FLOWERS”

2025年2月8日（土）より、StandByにてAMKKによる2回目の個展「Paludarium Masashi & Hiromi」を開催いたします。

「Paludarium」シリーズは、AMKKの精神が色濃く反映された作品の一つです。植物を外気から守り、その成長を促す「パルダリウム（温室）」を新たな解釈で具現化した本シリーズは、19世紀イギリス貴族が鑑賞や娯楽目的で用いたパルダリウムとは一線を画し、現代の文化やテクノロジーを取り入れながらも、一種の反骨精神を内包した作品群となっています。
AMKKのクリエイティブな思想と StandByが生み出す非日常的な空間が交わることで、より洗練され、奥行きのあるインスタレーションが実現しました。
進化を遂げた「Masashi」と「Hiromi」を含むこの貴重な展示を、どうぞお見逃しなくご覧ください。

StandBy is pleased to present 'Paludarium Masashi & Hiromi,' the second solo exhibition by AMKK, opening on Saturday, February 8, 2025.

'Paludarium' is a series of works deeply imbued with the spirit of the AMKK collective. Inspired by the "Paludarium," a structure designed to shield plants from external elements and foster their growth, this series offers a contemporary reinterpretation. While traditional Paludariums were popular among 19th-century British aristocrats for ornamental and recreational purposes, AMKK's iteration transcends these historical origins, blending modern culture and technology with a subtle undercurrent of rebellion.

The interplay between AMKK's creative vision and the uniquely surreal atmosphere of StandBy has resulted in a refined and multi-dimensional installation. Featuring the evolved "Masashi" and "Hiromi," this exhibition provides a rare opportunity to experience their artistic ingenuity.

We warmly invite you to visit and immerse yourself in this extraordinary showcase.

AMKK Paludarium Masashi &Hiromi

8 Feb - 16 Feb, 2025
11:00 - 19:00

StandBy
5-11-1 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo

EXHIBITION ”Paludarium Masashi & Hiromi”

We just released Azuma Makoto's new collection of works
ALL ABOUT FLOWERS

Price: 33,000JPY




Book Details
(Original case)
Size: 24.3 x 24.3 x 6cm 589g
(Photo book)
Size: 22.5 x 22.5 x 4.8cm 1,684g
Pages: 376
Binding : Codex bookbinding, cased hardcover
Surface treatment on the cover: frocky print and hot stamp
Total weight: 2,273g
Language: English
Limited edition of 300 copies

Azuma Makoto's new collection of works

ピエール・エルメ・パリの2024年ホワイトデーコレクションにて
今年もコラボレーションボックスが販売されます。
詳しくはピエール・エルメ・パリ公式サイトをご覧くださいませ。

ピエール・エルメ・パリ公式サイト ：　 https://www.pierreherme.co.jp



AZUMA MAKOTO × PIERRE HERMÉ PARIS [ FLOWER POWER ]

In Bloom #5: EXOBIOTANICA Ⅲ-BOTANICAL SPACE FLIGHT

Botanical sculpture × In Bloom project - Sea #4

The flower vessel, which can both enhance and detract from the beauty of flowers, has been cherished by people as an art piece since ancient times. Evolving by incorporating various cultures and trends, flower vessels have reached the modern age. ​Azuma Makoto, an expert in the expression of flowers, has started this project to once again focus on the essential value of "flower vessels" from the perspectives of both flowers and vessels, infusing them with contemporary sensibilities to rediscover their value and pose questions to the world.

For this project, we have partnered with Tsuji Hitachi, the 15th master of Tsuji House, a renowned porcelain kiln in Arita with a 360 year history. The kiln was royally warranted to create porcelain for the royal family and has been producing numerous outstanding pieces for centuries. Among their masterpieces, we have featured the striking large jar in particular, “Four Kunshi (Four Noble Ones)” this time. The classical Oriental motif depicts a plant for each of the four seasons. It was proposed that the 15th master would add motif of four modern plants. “Eight Kunshi” was thus born with four new plants added to the traditional motif.
The four plants traditionally depicted as the "Four Kunshi (Four Noble Ones)" - orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum, and plum - have been revered as noble plants among all vegetation. Orchids possess a faint fragrance and elegance, bamboo maintains its green and upright nature even in the cold winter, plum exhibits strength and charm by blooming first in the snow of early spring, and chrysanthemum is admired for its vibrant bloom in the cold of late autumn. Due to their noble beauty, these plants have been commonly used as subjects in East Asian paintings since the Song Dynasty in China, symbolizing the four seasons with orchid representing spring, bamboo representing summer, chrysanthemum representing autumn, and plum representing winter.
​A​zuma selected four modern plants as representatives to advance the concept of "Eight Kunshi," which symbolizes the four seasons. The selected modern plants are ​trachelospermum, ​paphiopedilum, ​pansy, and ​nepenthes. Trachelospermum exhibits a duality with intertwining vines symbolizing prosperity and beautiful flower shapes resembling a clock marking time. Paphiopedilum is characterized by its pouch-like lip and is considered a modern symbol of hybridization, as enthusiasts worldwide have repeatedly crossbred them, resulting in countless hybrid species. Pansies are beloved worldwide for their strength and charm in poking their heads out from the snow, symbolizing the arrival of spring in modern times. Nepenthes, on the other hand, is a unique plant that combines distinctive shapes with the vitality of being a living organism that captures and derives nutrients from insects, despite being a plant. These eight distinct plants come together, depicted in a single pot, coexisting harmoniously.
Sensitivity and passion of the 15th master resulted in an unprecedented fusion of past and present. The large-scale porcelain “Eight Kunshi” depicts delicate and fleeting flowers in vivid blue. The eight plants coexist in peace, each transcending its own significance. Unique masterpiece is unveiled for only one night here in Arita, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain.

15th master of Tsuji House
During the reign of Japan’s 112th emperor Reigen (1663–1687), the kiln was royally warranted to create porcelain for the royal family under the official name of Tokiwa Daijo. Even though their works remained unknown to the general public, the kiln produced numerous outstanding pieces for the royal family.

花の美しさを活かしも殺しもする花器。古来より美術品としても人々に愛でられてきた花器は、様々な文化、時代性を取り込みながら発展を遂げ現代に至る。花の表現のエキスパートである東は、花、そして器という二つの側面から改めて「花器」の本質的な価値に注目し、そこに現代の感性を付与することで、その価値を再発見し、世の中に問うことを目的として本プロジェクトをスタートさせた。
今回パートナーとなったのは有田にある名窯・辻精磁社。禁裏御用達として天皇・皇族のための器のみを生産し幻の名窯と謳われてきた辻家の名品の中でも、今回我々がフィーチャーしたのは、一際存在感を放つ大壷「四君子」。春夏秋冬それぞれを代表する４つの植物が一つの絵に収められたこの大壷に、「現代の四季」の植物を４つ新たに絵柄に加え、「四君子」ならぬ「八君子」という概念を構築し、表現した。
もともと、古来より「四君子」として描かれてきた蘭、竹、菊、梅の4種類は、草木の中の君子として讃えられた植物である。蘭はほのかな香りと気品を備え、竹は寒い冬にも青々としまっすぐな性質を持ち、梅は早春の雪の中で最初に花を咲かせる強靱さと愛らしさ、菊が晩秋の寒さの中で鮮やかに咲く姿が尊ばれた。それぞれの気品の高い美しさから、中国宋代より東洋画の画題としてもよく用いられ、春は蘭、夏は竹、秋は菊、冬は梅と、四季を表している。

東はこの四季を表す４種に、現代の植物の代表として4種をセレクトし「八君子」の構想を進めた。セレクトした現代の植物は、トケイソウ、パフィオペディラム、パンジー、ウツボカズラの4種である。トケイソウは絡み合う蔦が繁栄を示す一方で、時を刻む時計のような美しい花姿を見せる二面性を持つ。パフィオペディラムは袋状の唇弁を持つ特徴的な花姿で、世界中の愛好家たちが交配を繰り返し、数限りないハイブリッド種が生み出されている現代の象徴のような花でもある。パンジーは現代における春の訪れを告げる花として、雪の中から顔を出す強さと愛らしさで世界中で親しまれ、ウツボカズラはユニークな造形と、植物にも関わらず虫を捕食し栄養とするという生き物としての生々しさを併せ持った植物である。
これら異色とも言える8種類の植物が一堂に会し、一つの壺の中に描かれ、共存する。

東のアイディアと十五代辻常陸(※)の開かれた感性による過去と現代の類を見ない融合。古来からの繊細な筆使いで描かれる奥ゆかしさを湛えた青い花々が、ともに器の中に永遠の命を宿し、躍動する。この世にたった一つの究極の花器が生み出される。
※ 十五代辻常陸
日本の焼き物発祥の地、有田においてもひと際特別な存在として知られる辻家。第百十二代霊元天皇(在位1663年～1687年)の頃より禁裏御用達を仰せつかり、後に「常陸 大掾」という官職を拝命した辻家は、天皇家直属の窯元として、皇族のための器のみを生産する「幻の名窯」と謳われてきた。

八君子 “Eight Kunshi” -Blue Flower Rebellion-

Book Details

(Original case)
Size: 24.3 x 24.3 x 6cm 589g
(Photo book)
Size: 22.5 x 22.5 x 4.8cm 1,684g
Pages: 376
Binding : Codex bookbinding, cased hardcover
Surface treatment on the cover: frocky print and hot stamp
Total weight: 2,273g
Language: English
Limited edition of 300 copies

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