Okamoto MitsuhiroLOVE ＆ PEACE
December 2 - December 30, 2023
Gallery Talk: December 2, 5PM-6PM/ guest: Kudo Takeshi, curator

LOVE & PEACE is the magic word. With a little blurring of the words, most things can be accepted asright and good. LOVE and PEACE are both so abstract in concept that there is often a big
misunderstanding between the people who express them and the people who receive them. Somepeople use these cliché words strategically, while others, who are pure and innocent (or moreaccurately, ignorant and unconscious), may honestly imagine a utopian world. A lot of people use LOVE
as a shield to hurt others and kill each other in the name of PEACE, you know. When used by anindividual, it is usually to appeal to ‘good people,’ and when used by various organizations, it is often (Ifeel) used to lead a certain segment or community in a certain direction, to stimulate consumption, or tostrengthen ideological control. The use of easy-to-understand language is the most effective
technique for seducing people.
Okamoto's exhibition under this title will also feature a number of new works with bird motifs, mainly
doves, which are symbols of peace and freedom. Okamoto's work attempts to disturb and question thevalues and meanings commonly shared by many people, by (radically) connecting several bird species
that have particular allegories and messages with art works, company logos, or political symbols thatevoke a verbal or spiritual effect. In an age dominated by conceptual art that cannot be understood
without reading explanations (especially by the superficial left) or by wet expressions that provokestraightforward emotions, Okamoto's works are very distinctive in the Japanese art scene, sharply
accusing contemporary society of problems through intellectual methods such as parody and humor.
However, behind these humorous expressions there is a strong sense of irony and powerful criticism.
At a time when wars are raging around the world, I sincerely hope that through this exhibition, people
will have the opportunity to acquire a way of thinking that transforms information and knowledge into
wisdom, and not be misled by naïve images.

Kudo Takeshi, curator or Aomori Museum of ArtOkamoto Mitsuhiro
B.1968, Kyoto. Received his M.A.Education from Shiga university, 1994. Studied at A.S.L.N.Y in 1994-96.
Studied at CCA Kitakyushu in 1997-99. Stayed at AIR in Germany, Spain, India, and others in 2001-04.
Lived and worked in Taiwan and Okinawa in 2004-06. Back to Kyoto from 2007 and founded KUNSTARZT in 2012. Exhibitions in eitoeiko include Cherry Blossom Party, 2019-2022, CATastrophe, 2022,Okinawan Steak, 2021, Art with Emperor, 2020, UFO, 2018, The DOZAemon exhibition Tokyo 2017,2017, 69, 2016, Makkuro Pop, 2014, and others. Okamoto’s artwork has been exhibited internationally.

eitoeiko
Yaraicho 32-2, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Open Tue-Sat 12PM-7PM | Closed on Monday, Sunday and National Holidays
www.eitoeiko.com

artworks in the exhibition

L: LOVE & PEACE, taxidermy white dove, shackles, resin(Robert Indiana's LOVE), chain, 2023
R: Heaven's Justice, bird droppings on panel, copied paper (Picasso's Dove, 1949), plexiglass, 2023

L: PEACE & PEACE, taxidermy, tobacco(Peace), LED, resin, wood, 2023
R: OOgarasu Copyright's table 4 RM, LED, taxidermy, mirror, special sheet, miniature toilet bowl, 2022