Works inspired by Japanese craft techniques are key elements in the exhibition. Japanese cultural expressions have had a great influence on European art, especially from the end of the 19th century after Japan reopened its borders to trade with the West after 1868. In particular, the Impressionists were inspired by Japanese art and crafts, and a separate art direction referred to as Japonism emerged . Japan’s influence on Western culture is still noticeable, today manga is Japan’s biggest cultural export. Yamamoto is both, through his father’s ancestry, a bearer of Japanese traditions, but also someone who sees Japan’s craft traditions from the outside, with his upbringing in Brazil and his education from Europe.
In particular, the Japanese painting technique Yüzen is used in the textiles in the exhibition. This was developed by Miyazaki Yüzen (1688-1704) and allowed freer designs on the painted textiles. Here, a rice paste is traditionally used to limit the areas of the different colors in the textiles. Today, Yuzen is largely used to decorate traditional kimonos. A kimono has a standard shape and size that can be worn by everyone, men and women, regardless of body shape. There are folding techniques that adapt it to the bodies. This makes kimonos a particularly sustainable garment. On several of the textiles in the exhibition, Yamamoto also uses traditional Japanese patterns, such as Uroko (fish scales), Asanoha (hemp leaves), Yagasuri (arrow feathers) and Seigaiha (waves).
Kiyoshi Yamamoto (b. 1982) lives and works in Bergen. He is educated at the University of Art and Design in Bergen, Escola de Belas Artes in Rio de Janeiro and Central Saint Martins in London. He has had solo exhibitions at venues such as Kunstnerforbundet (2022), Trøndelag center for contemporary art (2021), Trafo Kunsthall (2021), Hå Gamle Prestegård (2020), S12 Gallery (2020) and Nitja center for contemporary art (2019). He has upcoming exhibitions at, among others, the Bomuldsfabrikken Kunsthall in Arendal and the Bodø Biennale. In addition, Yamamoto has participated in several group exhibitions, such as at Preus museum (2022), Stavanger Kunstmuseum (2021) and KUBE Museum in Ålesund (2020). His works have been purchased by Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum, KODE Art Museum, the Norwegian Embassy in Brasilia, DNB art association, Oslo municipality and Bergen municipality, among others. He has taught at various institutions, such as at the Faculty of Art, Music and Design at the University of Bergen, the Art Academy in Tromsø and Sámi Allaskuvla (Sámi University) in Kautokeino.
Thanks to dancers Sang Hoon Lee, Catharina Vu, Finn Adrian Jorkjen, Cholloda Phinitduang and choreographer Kyuja Bae
