Artist: KAITO Itsuki
Exhibition title: Looming Digits
Venue: Blue Velvet Projects, Zürich, Switzerland
Date: June 9 – July 29, 2022
Photography: all images copyright and courtesy of the artist and Blue Velvet Projects, Zürich
KAITO Itsuki delves deep into the intricacies of human identity and self-expression. Her work reveals the fluid nature of personality, shaped by the ever-changing interplay of time, space, and experiences. In our quest for connection, empathy plays a vital role, but it can also lead to conformity and societal pressures. Balancing this desire for connection with the need for individual autonomy is crucial.
Within Looming Digits, KAITO Itsuki’s first solo exhibition in Switzerland, characters bound by plastic belts in room-like spaces provoke intrigue and discomfort. These unconventional actions, seemingly wasteful to outsiders, hold profound meaning. By indulging in non-productive “waste,” individuals can explore different facets of their identity. Through the nocturnal realm of self-discovery, they find their place in society, carving out unique personas that distinguish them from the anonymous masses.
Masks, suits, and enigmatic numbers populate Itsuki’s works, serving as puzzling metaphors. Inspired by Kigurumi cosplay, the masks and suits represent transformative experiences, blurring the boundaries between natural and fabric skin. The enigmatic numbers stem from cognitive function improvement training, symbolizing the quest for enhanced learning and social engagement. They evoke the importance of language as a means of communication, connecting us to society and excluding those who struggle with functional illiteracy.
Empathy, a fundamental aspect of human connection, can also destabilize one’s sense of self when solely relied upon for validation. Our complex internal landscapes defy perfect expression and interpretation. Yet, the complexity that emerges through sharing grants each individual a distinct personality, bridging the gaps that separate us.
KAITO Itsuki embraces the liminal spaces of becoming, rejecting the notion of a singular “true self.” The titles hold multiple connotations, encompassing both official approval and a spiritual journey. Their artistic toolkit, comprising brushes, belts, and blades, becomes an instrument of self-analysis, granting permission for unproductive and heterogeneous activities. It is through these tools that KAITO explores the intricate interplay between the mind and the body.
Itsuki invites us on a profound exploration of human identity, empathy, and self-expression. Through her work, we confront the ephemeral nature of the self and the delicate balance between individual autonomy and societal connection. Masks, suits, and numbers serve as powerful symbols, evoking transformation and the pursuit of knowledge. By embracing the complexities of the human experience, we may find the keys to unlock our true potential within the vast tapestry of existence.
— Mohamed Almusibli
KAITO Itsuki, Looming Digits, 2023, exhibition view, Blue Velvet Projects, Zürich
KAITO Itsuki, Looming Digits, 2023, exhibition view, Blue Velvet Projects, Zürich
KAITO Itsuki, Looming Digits, 2023, exhibition view, Blue Velvet Projects, Zürich
KAITO Itsuki, Looming Digits, 2023, exhibition view, Blue Velvet Projects, Zürich
KAITO Itsuki, Looming Digits, 2023, exhibition view, Blue Velvet Projects, Zürich
KAITO Itsuki, Looming Digits (Hiding Tiger tale), 2023, Oil and charcoal on canvas, 162 x 130 cm
KAITO Itsuki, Inside of tameness (Dolphin bag and heart), 2022, Oil on canvas, 160 x 130 cm
KAITO Itsuki, Tight intelligence (woven belts), 2023, Oil and charcoal on canvas, 162 x 130 cm
KAITO Itsuki, The monopolistic sweet spots (Mapping of senses), 2022, Oil on canvas, 180 x 160 cm
KAITO Itsuki, The monopolistic sweet spots (Foot, Whole body), 2023, Oil and charcoal on canvas, 224 x 181 cm
KAITO Itsuki, Looming Digits (How to catch things), 2023, Oil and charcoal on canvas, 180 x 150 cm
KAITO Itsuki, The Elastic Edges (Swelled self), 2023, Oil on canvas, 33.2 x 24.2 cm
KAITO Itsuki, The Elastic Edges (Blue hand, Red mapping), 2023, Oil and charcoal on canvas, 53 x 45 cm
KAITO Itsuki, Tight intelligence (woven belts), 2023, Oil on canvas, 132 x 96 cm
KAITO Itsuki, The monopolistic sweet spots (Wood floor), 2023, Oil and charcoal on canvas, 100 x 80.3 cm
KAITO Itsuki, K-POT (Green pot with three legs), 2023, Oil on canvas, 100 x 80 cm
