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TAKAMINE Tadasu: The SUPERCAPACITOR
Reviews
Written by You GOSHIKI   
Published: September 22 2008

Photo by Keizo Kioku
Copyright © 2008 ARATANIURANO

Photo by Keizo Kioku
Copyright © 2008 ARATANIURANO

    As we currently face the exhaustion of natural resources, the Super Capacitor (ectric double-layer capacitor) is advocated as being vital to the provision of energy in future. On the other hand, its high price, in reality, prevents its public diffusion. Tadasu Takamine creates artworks on the theme of the Super Capacitor. His characteristic style of using challenging innovative media and themes beyond existing accepted ideas of art is apparent in this choice as well.

    As explained in ARATANIURANO’s press release, "This exhibition tries to brand this mysterious condenser, Super Capacitor", his attempt to create a certain commercial image to market the Super Capacitor is apparent in several of his artworks.
    In front of the exhibition gallery, two kinds of cute bear face are shown on a lenticular sheet and a cell phone display. On a huge wooden object like a multi-faceted crystal composed of pentagon-shaped panels, set on both walls of the exhibition gallery, one character is written on each panel, and together these cover the words, "SUPER CAPACITOR". The lines connecting each panel form a shape like a human body or an insect.
    In the back, a big mat using an images of different character is displayed. Electric balls passing between electric cables and power poles light up the words "SUPER CAPACITOR”. This image is familiar and easy to use in products; in fact, a T-shirt printed with this character was also sold at the exhibition.

    To transform the "SUPER CAPACITOR", which itself is an invisible technology, into a visible image for the purpose of commercial branding is a normal task in commercial marketing and design. However, Takamine’s trial here interests us since the process has been attempted by “an artist".
     These artworks have enough potential as images to attract the attention of men and women, young and old, who do not know about the "SUPER CAPACITOR", and awareness can be raised using familiar images. However, from a strict product marketing perspective, the explanation of the technology within the characters is rather too much somehow. There also is a question about whether the images could attract people who will actually pay for this technology.
     However, one may notice the fact that Takamine is purely an “artist”, not a commercial designer. Commercial imagery is very strategic, freely accepted by consumers with a specific image which is directly printed with purchasing interest in the customers, although the technology itself is puzzling cutting-edge. On the other hand, a pure artwork is different in the significant of existence which is caused by the communication between the artist and viewer in how to sympathize each other through the work. The dynamics between artist and viewers might be completely different.
    It seems that both intentions of commercial purpose and communication of pure-art co-exist in his artwork whether or not Takamine actually intended it or not. Standing in front of his work there, one might feel oneself to be floating and drifting between a strategic image and something else. It makes one reconsider how different pure art is to commercial art.
(Translated by Chisato Kushida)

Last Updated on August 20 2010
 

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