Press Release
April 2024

Opening April 13, 2024

Kota Kinutani A Gaze from Outer Space√K Contemporary is proud to announce the opening of stone sculptor, Kota Kinutani’s highly anticipated soloexhibition, A Gaze from Outer Space. On view from April 13 (Sat) to May 25 (Sat), 2024, the exhibition will mark theartist’s largest solo exhibition in Tokyo and span across three floors of the gallery, from the basement to the 2nd floor.
From large-scale installations to smaller works, A Gaze from Outer Space will offer viewers a chance to view a wide
range of the artist’s oeuvre.

Inspired by the stone pavements and fountain sculptures he encountered in his youth in Rome and Venice, Kota
Kinutani’s works are an ode to the experiences of his formative years. During University, Kinutani researchedancient ruins and stone carvings, studied petrology, and participated in Artist in Residencies. After receiving hisMaster's Degree from the Tokyo University of the Arts in 2003, Kinutani grew enamored by the blue granite of Brazil
and, through funding from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan’s Program of Overseas Study for
Upcoming Artists, began his studies at the University of São Paulo. In 2008, the artist would produce Sonho e
Gratidão, a monument made to in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Japanese Immigration to Brazil, inCarmo Park, São Paulo.

Sonho e Gratidao(2008) São PauloCarmo, Brazil

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April 2024

One defining charm of Kinutani’s work is its tactile nature. Urging his viewers to forge a connection with his works,
the artist encourages his viewers to interact with his work by touching them. A notion, that the artist calls “creativeperceptual sculpture,” Kinutani believes that, by touching stone, a material that bears the history and memories ofearth, we can gain valuable knowledge that may help guide us towards the future.

A key exhibiting work of the show, Infinite Arc is part of a massive circular structure that spans a radius of several
kilometers. Evoking a sense of the invisible, its presence signifies the infinite, invisible connections that extend
beyond its limited, visible space. Going beyond notions of borders and categorization, Kinutani’s works give viewers
a glimpse into the future and offer alternative, metaphorical utopic solutions for humanity. In addition to numerous
events featuring special guests held during the show, an essay by Dr. Tetsuya Oshima (Professor, Tama ArtUniversity / Director, Tama Art University Museum), which provides an art historical approach to Kinutani’s works,
will also be available via the gallery’s website as well as at the exhibition venue.

Further details will be announced on the √K Contemporary website and social media profiles.

nArtist Statement

When looking at the rocks that were born billions or millions of years ago, I am reminded of the fragility of life.
Simultaneously, I also realize how the Earth, too, is one large living organism.
One day, in the future, all life, including us, may need to leave Earth.
I view rocks as miraculous gifts from the Earth, and I feel great joy in interacting with them through my five senses,
receiving and conveying their messages through my creations.

With every fiber of my being, I would like to continue expressing my love for stones and appreciation for the earth.

-Kota KinutaninArtist｜Kota Kinutani（ 絹⾕ 幸太 ）Kota Kinutani was born in 1973 as the eldest son of the painter, Koji Kinutani. He spent his early years in Rome andVenice and, through the influence of post-war sculptor, Yoshitatsu Yanagihara, began pursuing sculpture in 1991. Kinutani
graduated from the Nihon University College of Art in sculpture in 1996 and completed his master's degree in sculpture at
the Tokyo University of the Artsʼ Graduate School of Fine Arts in 1998. In 2002, the artist completed his doctoral course in
sculpture at the Tokyo University of the Artsʼ Graduate School of Fine Arts. Following his doctorate, the artist would
embark on a range of pursuits; from researching at the University of São Paulo of Brazil to teaching at universities such as
Nagoya University of Arts, Osaka University of Arts, and Tokyo Polytechnic University. In 2008, the artist produced amonument in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Japanese Immigration to Brazil. In 2019, Kinutani took part innumerous, significant projects worldwide, including the production of a monument that commemorated the JapaneseEmperor Naruhitoʼs enthronement.

I spent my early years in Rome and Venice. Every day, I clambered onto the sculptures of the fountains in the piazza. IPress Release
April 2024

remember that in my playtime I was totally absorbed in playing the role of the Monkey King, roaming the skies freely withthe figures of the sculptures reflected in the water. In Asia, we have the notion of un-kon-ka-ei (cloud-root-passingshadow)—whereby the stones of the earth embody the spirits of the universe and that organic connections link stones andclouds. If we can keep our minds open to our experiences, we can feel our close connection with nature. In the innocenceof childhood, I was able to touch the hearts of the stones, and this experience gave me the idea of “creative-perceptualsculpture.” The main difference between this and the conventional way of appreciating sculpture is that I encourage
people not just to look at the work but to touch it with their hands or climb on it. I invented the name “creative-perceptualsculpture” because I love it when people use all five senses to explore my work and engage in the conversation: tappingon them to listen to the sound they make, sniffing to see what they smell like, or analyzing their chemical makeup. All theanswers that people need to live their lives can be found in nature. I will be happy to know that people see this as anopportunity to learn from nature, in a spirit of reverence for nature.
― Kota Kinutani（quoted from the artist website: https://kotakinutani.com/about/ ）nEvents

From talk events to gallery tours, several special events will be held during the course of the exhibition. In addition, forthree days during the show, a unqiue coffee event inspired by the works will be held at the 2nd floor bar space.

Event #1 |Kota Kinutani Discussion
Guests：Tetsuya Oshima (Professor, Tama Art University / Director, Tama Art University Museum)× Taku Umezawa（lawyer / collector）
Moderator: Maiko Kikuchi (Director, Patron Project, Art Writer)
The tripartite discussion with the artist features Tama Art University Professor and author of theexhibition’s essay, Tetsuya Oshima, and Kinutani’s most faithful collector, Taku Umezawa. Fromthemes of Japanese art history and how the artist’s work fits into the history of stone sculpture to how
the artist views his work and why he works with stone, the talk will address various topics andprovide deep insight into the artist and his work. (Japanese only)
Schedule: May 18 (Sat) 3pm to 5 pm *Free admission

Event #2 |Artist-led Gallery Tour
Further details and times to be posted on the gallery website and social media pages.

Event #3 |Interactive Barista-led Coffee EventLawyer, close friend, and collector of Kinutani and certified barista, Taku Umezawa will host a special
event during the following dates during the the exhibition. On this occasion, participants can enjoy a
cup of coffee inspired by their favorite Kinutani work, the stone’s origin, its context, and its aesthetic.
Admission is free and all participants are welcome.
Dates：April 13 (Sat) 3pm to 7pm
April 19 (Fri) 5pm to 8pm *May 11 (Sat) 3pm to 7pm*Patron Project members will be given precedence for the April 19 event.
For reservations, see: https://patronproject20240419.peatix.com/

Event #4 |Patron ProjectFeaturing the artist, participants will have the opportunity to touch and share a “dialogue” with theworks.Further details on the event and reservations will be announced on the Patron Project website
and social media pages. (Reservations required・with admission fee)
Dates：April 27 (Sat) 1pm to 3pm

Press Release
April 2024

nExhibition Information

Exhibition Title｜Kota Kinutani, A Gaze from Outer Space
Dates｜

April 13 (Saturday) to May 25 (Saturday), 2024

Venue｜√K Contemporary (6 Minamicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)

Organizer｜

Patron Project, √K Contemporary

Exhibition HP｜ https://root-k.jp/exhibitions_en/kotakinutani_2024/
Curation｜n

Maiko Kikuchi (Director of Patron Project, Art Writer)

About √K Contemporary
With an ethos guided by its experience with traditional Japanese art, √K Contemporarypresents art from the early 20th century to the present. Driven by a desire to innovate,
the gallery organizes exhibitions and events that aim to provoke, stimulate, and inspire
new thinking. In conserving its acts, the gallery hopes to place and pave its way toward
the future art scene. Designed with these ideas in mind, the 300 sqm gallery wasenvisioned as a “gallery from outer space”, where works are presented with new values
and viewed with new eyes.

Official Website: https://root-k.jp/en
TW: @rk_contemporary | FB: @rootkcontemporary | IG: @rk_contemporary_________________________________________________________________________________________________For all Press & Media Related Inquiries
Contact: Naoko Watanabe, Aisei Tamura√K Contemporary (Managed by SEI-RIN Co.,Ltd.)
6 Minamicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0836
Email: pr@sei-rin.com｜Tel: (+81) (0)3-6280-8808 | Fax: (+81) (0)3-6280-8809