01 :MINAMIKAWA Shimon 1999.12.9 [Fri] - 2000.2.20 [Sun] project N 01 MINAMIKAWA Shimon "Project N" is a series of exhibitions held in the gallery corridor with the aim of introducing emerging young artists, in accordance with the wishes of Nambata Tatsuoki (1905-97). The project has been made possible by the funds he received on his appointment as a Person of Cultural Merits. The series is named with a combination of "project" to express its ongoing nature, and the initial "N" from Nambata's name.

"Composition for White" acrylic on canvas 65.5*53.0cm 1999

Many of the things we see from day to day are things that we don't really know just what they are really for. Minamikawa Shimon, the artist selected for the first exhibition in the series, considers an encounter with one of these things, something that most people would not spot at all, as the beginning of an adventure. Even the same thing takes on different forms depending on who looks at it, and Minamikawa expresses this difference in viewpoints in a very positive manner.

"The Fourteen Other Selves" acrylic on cardboard 81.5*66.0cm 1999

The forms Minamikawa draws give a sense of looking at part of a sculpture, and make you think of assembling a whole image from its components inside your head. Today, when a variety of different means of expression has become the norm, his experiments in creating a world on a flat surface with just straight lines, curves and color can be seen as the pursuit of the possibilities of a restricted method. As you walk down the narrow 30-meter corridor, you will see 26 of Minamikawa's works, and you may find yourself starting to look at the everyday things around you a little differently, too

"Drawing for I do not know ('cause I am just looking outside.)" acrylic on canvas 106.0*149.7cm 1999

The generation now "in progress," with its eyes set on the future, is adding to the variety of art today. The Opera City Art Gallery is committed to introducing this new variety, and we hope you will find the series interesting. Photo by SAITO Arata Profile of MINAMIKAWA Shimon 1972 Born in Tokyo,Japan 1991 Entered in Tama Art University, Tokyo (Withdrew in 1994) 1998 Graduated from 8 seminar schooling system Lives in Tokyo Selected Group Exhibitions 1997 "The 30th B-semi Exhibition," Yokohama Civic Art Gallery, Kanagawa 1998 "The 31st B-semi Exhibition," Yokohama Civic Art Gallery, Kanagawa "Art Sphere Haizuka '98 (homestay:artworks in residence) Haizuka Earthworks Projects, Hiroshima 1999 "Art Sphere Haizuka '99 (homestay:artworks in residence) Haizuka Earthworks Projects, Hiroshima http://www.ny.airnet.ne.jp./haizuka/index.html Artist's writing 1996 "Create the Blue Sky" 1997 "The Unfeasible Plan of a Huge Musical Instrument" 1998 "Le Palais Ideal du Facteur Cheval (The Ideal Castle of Cheval)" http://www.bsemi.co.jp/ He also works on film works, musical composition for films, performances, stage design, and others. Information Dates: Friday 3 December, 1999 - Sunday 20 February, 2000 Closed: Mondays (Tuesday if the Monday is a public holiday), 29th December to 4th January, 13th February. Opening Hours: 12:00 - 20:00 (to 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, entry up to 30 minutes before closing) Admissons: free (included in the admission for the NAMBATA Tatsuoki) For further information: Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery Tel. +81-3-5353-0756