Mizuma Art Gallery
Closes in 10 days
Mizuma Art Gallery (mizuma-art.co.jp) presents the first solo show of Scottish installation artist Jim Lambie in Japan. After a three year wait due to Lambie's rapid ascension in the art world (he was shortlisted for the prestigious Turner Prize from Tate Britain in 2005), Gallery director Sueo Mizuma's persistence has resulted in an electrifying and dynamic exhibition.
Lambie drew inspiration from Japan's neon-lit nights to customize the installation series "Zobop" for the Tokyo show. His liberal use of kaleidoscopic colors is mesmerizing as he works multicolored fluorescent tape into geometrical patterns to create an optical illusion.
Lambie comes from a musical background and occasionally DJs, as he did at the opening. Mixing rock 'n' roll in with his art, every piece at the Mizuma has some musical reference. In "Flowers of Romance" he superimposes outlines of John Lennon, Britney Spears, Sid Vicious and Paul Simon so that their silhouettes collectively resemble a butterfly in flight. In the sculpture "P.I.L.," he pays homage to the former Roxy Music lead singer Brian Ferry.
Lambie often draws parallels between art, the human psyche and mental processes. Like music, his art fills its surroundings and alters the space. As he says, "You put a record on and it's like all the edges disappear. You're in a psychological space -- you don't sit there thinking about the music, you're listening to the music, you're inside that space that the music's making for you." The chords Lambie has struck here with "P.I.L." are playing loud and clear.
