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HOJOZANMAI_exhibition

exhibition

HOJOZANMAI

Shinya Masuda

January 10 – February 10, 2025

We are pleased to announce the photo exhibition “HOJOZANMAI” by Shinya Masuda.

In his previous work, “HANAFUDA SHOZOKU”, Masuda was inspired by the words his grandmother told him when he was a child: “All things must pass.” This phrase led him to explore themes of decay, using rotting food and organic matter as motifs. His approach bridged the visible material world with the invisible spiritual realm.

In his current exhibition, “HOJOZANMAI”, the series was further deepened after reflecting on various emotions during the multiple states of emergency in Japan between 2020 and 2021. The work builds on his earlier style, expanding it. Masuda delves into concepts such as “life and death,” “riches and poverty,” “love,” “god and Buddha,” and “the beginning of the universe,” seeking to decode and visualize the invisible through the words (codes or ciphers) of ancestors, especially those of Kamo no Chomei.

We hope you will have the opportunity to experience this new phase in Masuda’s work, a first step into a fresh realm of exploration.

 

 

Shinya Masuda’s works are deeply thought-provoking and sensory, leaving a strong impression on those who experience them. His art bridges the material world and the spiritual realm, and his approach is highly original, evoking not only a visual impact but also an inner resonance. The themes he tackles, such as “life and death,” “riches and poverty,” “god and Buddha,” and “the beginning of the universe,” reflect fundamental questions about human existence, and his methods of expression are both poetic and philosophical.
In particular, his previous work, “HANAFUDA SHOZOKU”, is striking in how it was inspired by the words his grandmother told him in childhood: “All things must pass.” This idea led him to focus on decaying food and organic matter as motifs, offering a contemplative perspective on decay. These decaying materials are not just symbols of death; they also evoke new life and the possibility of regeneration, prompting reflections on the cyclical nature of life and death. Masuda’s work pushes us to think beyond the physicality of decay, linking it to a broader, spiritual understanding of existence.
In “HOJOZANMAI”, his latest series, created after the tumultuous period of the pandemic, his works reflect the social and spiritual upheavals of that time. The theme of the “invisible” is central here, as Masuda unravels and decodes deeper meanings hidden behind everyday experiences, drawing inspiration from ancient words and symbols, such as those of Kamo no Chomei. The “invisible” is not just a metaphor but a concept that drives the viewer to question what is unseen but still profoundly impactful on our lives.
His works encourage the viewer to think about profound, existential themes while engaging with the visual aesthetic. They pull us into a world of mystery, inviting introspection and dialogue with the self. By weaving in the wisdom of ancestors and classical philosophies, Masuda’s work merges the individual with the universal, offering a sense of timelessness and depth.
Masuda’s works do not merely offer visual beauty, but they also have the power to lead the viewer on a philosophical journey. Through his art, we gain new perspectives on the self, existence, and our relationship to the world.

 

 

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