「人類の最終的な到達点」
DESTINATION OF HUMANKIND
There are so many invisible, but important things in this world.
O2, heart, love, feelings, emotions, soul, great power, energy, willpower, sense, vibrations, wellness, clearness, etc.
Even the earth has a will, and live together with other planets as a member of the universe.
Every planet and satellite create an energy by orbiting with harmony. They all are trying not to disturb the harmony and repeating beautiful alternation.
In my works, just like the history of the universe, I try to express the spirituality where we eventually will get to, and the drama which we are experiencing on our ways there.
Takao Abe
Artist Statement
Japanese Secret
I represent these fascinating features of Japan through my art.
「S U K I Y A」
Expressing the essence of Japanese architecture
(Virtue of covering)
At first sight, Japanese architectural structures can be seen as if they would being assimilating into the nature.
But, they embrace the solemnity inside.
You can feel the clear atmosphere of its inner solemnity from outside, without going inside.
「Android」
Expressing the essence of Japanese women
(Japanese original modesty)
They seem to be modest at first glance, but they hold their own boldness and courage inside.
「P R I D E」
Expressing the pride of Japanese
(Soul of Japan, YAMATO-DAMASHII 大和魂)
Japanese seem to be diffident and weak in their daily attitudes, but once they think of the heroes and places symbolizing Japanese pride, you can see their YAMATO-DAMASHII, the calm resolution to risk their own lives.
These are the inner secrets of Japanese heart, and also the concept of my expression.
The idea of "covering the essence" creates the gap between how it looks outside and what it is inside.
I use bamboo lattice to express a notion of “the gap” the best, which has been often used in the world of tea, the spirit of 一期一会, "treasure every meeting, for it will never recur".
In addition, I have tried to express Japanese “power” of today, as well as traditional/legendary beauty.
I paint a hi-tech printed circuit deep in the artworks, which expresses the heart of today's Japanese. They all have the potential driving power of sparkling deep inside their hearts.
I think it is my duty to record these beautiful features of Japanese in my works, so that Japanese would not diminish them, and people all over the world could have a better understanding of Japan.
Takao Abe
Japanese Secret 日本の秘密
私は、日本の魅力を絵で表現した。
「S U K I Y A」
日本建築の本質を表現
(覆い隠した魅力)
一見、日本の自然に同化するように建つ。しかし内側に荘厳さを秘め、その雰囲気を外側にまで滲み出させる日本建築
「Android」
日本女性の本質を表現
(日本女性の奥ゆかしい魅力 )
一見奥ゆかしい感じがするが、中に魅力的な大胆さを秘めている日本の女性
「PRIDE」
日本人の誇りを表現
(大和魂の魅力)
一見、ひ弱そうな日本人が、日本の誇りである英雄や場所に想いを馳せる時、心に秘めた美しい覚悟のある大和魂をみせる
これらは日本の魅力の秘密の部分であり、私の表現のコンセプトである。
本質を覆い隠しているために外見と本質のギャップが生まれる。このギャップによる日本的魅力を作品上に表現するためには、一期一会の精神、すなわち茶の世界で使用されている竹組みが最適であると考え、使用している。
また、古来からの日本的魅力と同時に、現代の日本の力を表現したかった。そのために、ハイテク基盤を絵の奥に配し、スパークする原動力を秘めた現代日本人の心を表した。
現代において、日本人の魅力的な部分が無くなってしまわないように、また、世界の人々に日本を正しく理解してもらえるように、私は描き伝え残したいと思っている。
阿部高大