When art takes on physical form, three elements exist: technique and materials; concepts which form the motivation for creation; and expression. Generally, craftsmanship is based on technique and materials, whereas contemporary art takes concepts as its basis. However, works of high quality are those that explore these elements from an original perspective and are produced with fine balance. These days, there are many outstanding works which integrate craftsmanship and contemporary art, embodying the characteristics of both. These works combine the meticulousness of craftsmanship with the concepts and expressiveness of contemporary art. This exhibition introduces 10 artists whose works, while based on craftsmanship, transcend genres.
The theme this time is the artisanal beauty of the forms of vessels, or "utsuwa". From the perspective of plastic arts, the form of vessels can be considered a distinctive form unique to craftsmanship. It embodies not only the function of a simple container, but also includes the essential meaning of artisanal form. For example, we associate vessels with human body shapes, naming vessel parts such as the mouth or torso, or adding limbs to vessels to directly express human form. In this way, transcending the vessel as a mere tool for containing, there exists a "utsuwa" form enriched with imagery and expression. Further developing the characteristics of craftsmanship, this exhibition is constructed from the perspective of the concept of "wrappings" and "decorations". This exhibition introduces new trends that question the essence of craft through free expression of craftsmanship.