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umechan
Artworks
Written by Satoshi KOGANEZAWA   
Published: February 12 2009

 copy right(c)2009 AMPG

 copy right(c)2009 AMPG
 copy right(c) 2009 AMPG
 copy right(c) 2009 AMPG
 copy right(c) 2009 AMPG
 copy right(c) 2009 AMPG

Over twenty branches of Japanese plums are set out in a decorative pattern in a basin in the gallery. Banding bands used for "Botanical Sculpture #1 Assemblage" (February 2008) are also used here, but basically the branches support each other. The water is colored milky white, similar to the floor, and in the exhibition room, there emerges the dark brown of the branches and the red purple of the plum flowers. The warm air from the air conditioner accelerates the blooming of the flowers, and viewers feel that spring is arriving earlier than usual.

It is obvious that the title, "Umechan", is inspired by "Koume-chan", a girl drawn by the illustrator, Seiichi Hayashi on the packaging of "Koume (small plum)" candy produced by LOTTE. This is the reason why a huge number of "Koume" candies are scattered on the floor at the entrance of the exhibition room. The pattern of red-packaged candies forms a round shape to remind us of the Japanese flag; however, it is difficult to judge whether the shape has deep meaning. Anyway, all the viewers can do is to pick up one of the "Koume" candies, open its package and eat it to feel the Japanese plums in their mouths while enjoying the flowers. The short period of the exhibition, which includes the first day of spring in the lunar calendar, contributes to this artwork. On the last day of the exhibition, blooming flowers and dying ones co-exist, which gave me a much sweeter impression than on the first day when every flower was just about to bloom.


Data
Artist: Makoto Azuma
Year: 2009
Genre: Installation
Owner: AMPG
Material: Japanese plum, basin
Size: H3000×W1500×D1500
Note: AMPG 23rd Exhibition (January 30th - February 5th, 2009)
Exhibition style: five three-dimensional works, image, concept sheet
Last Updated on November 01 2015
 

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