Yukinori Yanagi

[amanda]

Hi there, I am currently writing an assignment for uni and have chosen a work by the Japanese artist Yukinori Yanagi. His main works involve sand, ants and flag images, one of which is in the TATE Modern gallery in London. I was wondering if anyone out there has heard of him and knows anything at all about him. If you do, I'd love to hear from you. Here's a link to a site with his work in case you'd like a look;

http://www.dareonline.org/themes/space/yanagi.html

[AndyRichardson]

Wow! Love his work. Nice simple gut level metaphor for a caricature of capitalistic self interest and universal entrophy..yet selflessness, in that the ant is just doing programmed tasks. There is some Eastern thinking along the lines that we are most free when we have no choice (between illusionary options). Then, there is the microcosm (ants!) writ large (macrocosm- our scale): homomogous to the metaphor..ah man, there are so many facets for interpretation..all at a basic layer we all have access to. Most of all, I can relate to the work directly..it's not rocket science.
Thanks for the eye opener!

[amanda]

Hi Andy, I'm glad you like his work. I still haven't started my assignment! Have to get going on it soon though. Thanks for being my only reply!

[mame]

Like this artist alot. Think I have a couple of sites bookmarked. If I can find them....................

I'll post them here.

Hey, I lucked out. Found em lickety split. Here ya go

http://www.uol.com.br/23bienal/universa/iuasyy.htm - includes bio and exhibit chronology

http://www.uam.ucsb.edu/Pages/yanagi_exh.html - includes an artist statement

http://www.hainesgallery.com/YY.work.html - Haines Gallery exhibit

[amanda]

Mame, thanks for looking for some links for me. I actually have all them in my favourites box already as I did a google search too. Glad you like the artist, I think his ideas are very interesting, especially as my assignment is based on social and political things.

[mame]

Sorry to be redundant. Shoulda known you'd have exhausted what research was available on line before posing the question. You'd be surprised how many don't.

Good luck with your paper. Maybe you'd "publish" it here for our edification - I'd like to know more too - ?

[amanda]

Hmmm we'll see how well I do but maybe I could publish it. It's not due till the end of May though so it won't be for ages! Oh, and no worries about posting the links for me, who knows, I might not have found them myself. I appreciate it.

[summer-rain]

just thought I would add my 2 cents worth ..... whilst at uni the other day I evesdropped on a conversation ( well nearly sat in there lap ) lololol

there is a young girl called penny soto who has a wonderful site ..
as soon as I find it in amongst my bookmarks I will send it to you

there is also a young american artist called michael brown ..... he is brilliant
again I will send you the site

you might like to lok up the names on the net.

I too am doping a piece on "what is art" and am at teh point of pulling my hair out !!!!! I know this is normal

cheers
sharon

[amanda]

Thanks summer-rain for your additions to this. I'll be looking out for your websites. How long does your assignment have to be? Mine is on ly 1000 wds which I don't consider very long.

[hlee]

got these bmarked too? :D

http://www.haramuseum.or.jp/artist/Yanagi/works/html/work0.htm
http://www.artseensoho.com/Art/BLUM/yanagi97/yanagi1.html
http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/ArtistWorks?id=2804&group=general&name=
http://www.absolutearts.com/artsnews/2000/06/05/27050.html

this isn't bad if you can decipher the french:
http://www.biennale-de-lyon.org/biac97/fr/artiste/fiches/85-0.htm
or just http://www.biennale-de-lyon.org/biac97/eng/artiste/fiches/85-1.htm

hehehe ... like the idea of living "organic" artwork ...

[amanda]

THanks HLee, I didn't have all of those ones! :D

[hlee]

no prob. just thought the idea of using ants, of "organic art" both funny and interesting. any ideas or interpretations as to what the ants are supposed to mean? and why ants? could've used bees, roaches, spiders, beetles ... why ants?