Artists: BLESS, David Byrne, Aki Goto, Alice Hutchins, Studio of Maki Kinnosuke, Adelle Lutz, Enzo Mari, Ingo Maurer, Issey Miyake, Nintendo, Tomohisa Obana, Toru Otani, Joel Otterson, Tejo Remy, Alma Siedhoff-Buscher, Studio of Kamekichi Tsunajima
Exhibition title: Busy Work at Home
Venue: Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles, US
Date: April 10 – May 29, 2021
Photography: all images copyright and courtesy of the artists and Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
A group show from a mid-pandemic point of view; a sentimental journey for multitaskers and “A Celebration of Specialness”.
Includes work by: BLESS, David Byrne, Aki Goto, Alice Hutchins, Studio of Maki Kinnosuke, Adelle Lutz, Enzo Mari, Ingo Maurer, Issey Miyake, Nintendo, Tomohisa Obana, Toru Otani, Joel Otterson, Tejo Remy, Alma Siedhoff-Buscher and Studio of Kamekichi Tsunajima.
Nonaka-Hill is pleased to share our fondness for tatebanko prints, produced in Japan during the Edo Period (1603-1868) through Meiji Restoration (1868 – 1912). These colorful images, usually depicting important buildings, historic battles, or Kabuki theatre scenes are segmented into multiple image composition parts, swirling in every direction to fill the page. By cutting around the periphery of the images, a small toy diorama could be set up. Perhaps tatebanko were meant to keep children’s little hands busy and minds stimulated while parents do “grown-up stuff”. From a 21st Century point of view, these 3 or 5 sheet suites appear Surreal or Abstract, but in their day, these notions barely existed. Now considered rare, it is a conundrum that the page must be destroyed for the 2D image to reach its 3D potential.
These tatebanko diorama print suites are the inspiration for our meandering exhibition, which stages artworks, design objects, costumes and garments, antique furnishings, film and video, camouflaging with “Wallscape” murals from Bless and a few room accents from Target to create tableau which may, for some, evoke diverse conditions experienced in our current Covid-19 pandemic.
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Joel Otterson, My Shoes, 1988, Mixed media, 60 x 24 x 24 in, 152.4 x 61 x 61 cm
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Joel Otterson, Ballade d’Or, 2015, Wool carpet, velvet, brass, glass, plastic, porcelain and steel, 44 3/4 x 21 1/2 x 3 in, 113.7 x 54.6 x 7.6 cm
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Toru Otani Japanese, 10 of Crabs, 2015, Color pencil, original stamp on “trump card”, 12.1 x 9.6 cm, 4 3/4 x 3 3/4 in; 3 of Crabs, 2015, Color pencil, original stamp on “trump card”., 14.1 x 9.6 cm, 5 1/2 x 3 3/4 in
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Tejo Remy, Rag Chair, 1991, 15 bags of rags, bound in metal strapping. 56 kg, 39 3/8 x 23 5/8 x 23 5/8 in, 100 x 60 x 60 cm
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Aki Goto, Hanten, 2020, Misc. fabrics, hand-stitching, 57 x 30 1/2 in, 144.8 x 77.5 cm
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Studio of Kinnosuke Maki Meiji period (life dates unknown), The Russo-Japanese War: My scouting cavalry in action by the Yalu River, 1904, Meiji 37, Woodblock prints as buildable paper toy set, a triptych, 14 1/4 x 9 5/8 in each, 36cm x 24.5 cm each
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
BLESS, N°56 Worker’s Delight: Rythmer, Stepper: 100% steel with rubber foam protraction, Cushion: 100% cotton cover, 100% polyester filling
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Alice Hutchins, NEBULA, 1971, Magnetic Sculpture in original packaging, repaired paper label
Alice Hutchins, Untitled, ca 1973, Two Alnico magnets, steel balls, metal discs, dimensions variable
Alice Hutchins, Canal Street Series, 1968-2005, Alnico magnet and painted steel component, dimensions variable
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
BLESS, N°56 Worker’s Delight: Neckrestdesk, cushions: cover 100% cotton, filling 100% foam & plywood metal structure: 100% steel with rubber foam protaction colormix, 50 1/2 x 38 x 22 in, 128.3 x 96.5 x 55.9 cm
Adelle Lutz, Urban Camouflage Clothing: Brick Suit, 1986, Mixed media
Adelle Lutz, Urban Camouflage Clothing: Column Dress, 1986, Mixed media
Adelle Lutz, Urban Camouflage Clothing: Brick Suit, 1986, Mixed media
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Busy Work at Home, 2021, exhibition view, Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
Tomohisa Obana, 16, 2020, Clay, glaze