Gallery Saoh
Closes in 6 days
The self-titled Bauduin exhibition at Gallery Saoh (www.jpin.co.jp/saoh/) marks the return of the French artist to Japan after an eight year absence. Bauduin is heavily influenced by philosophy, of which he was once a student, and he often collaborates with philosopher Daniel Charles to develop conceptual art. This retrospective of his work spans over four decades and is made up of paintings, sketchbooks, sculptures, video clips and installations.
The "deconstruction" painting series depicts shadows cast from clear glass stacked or arranged symmetrically. Throughout his career, Bauduin has consistently used the transparent material as a canvas that reflects its natural surroundings. The captured images -- which change according to the angle and lighting -- are confined within the glasses' typically 1 m x 1 m perimeter, resulting in slices of nature seemingly cut out from their original location and floating in mid-air. His installations are usually set in forests or in front of sacred sites such as churches in France or the Fujimori shrine in Shizuoka, Japan.
The sculptures on display at the Gallery Saoh resemble tiny models of such larger works, placed within square spaces. The exhibition's main piece is the fragile new installation "Jardin Blanc," which, made entirely of stones and glass, is reminiscent of a Zen garden. Bauduin wanted to make a piece that symbolizes his perception of Japan, one that evokes images of meditation and feelings of tranquillity.
