Transcendence as Art Practice: OGAKI Mihoko “Beyond The Time” @ KEN NAKAHASHI 超越論哲学のアート・プラクティス：大垣美穂子「Beyond The Time」@ KEN NAKAHASHI

Transcendence and sound. Artist OGAKI Mihoko 大垣美穂子 has experienced hard times in the past years. When hospitalised, she could happily find the collaboration with musician Scott Unrein, who created the music for her running, mesmerising solo exhibition at KEN NAKAHASHI.
“And you run and you run to catch up with the sun, but it’s sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in a relative way, but you’re older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death.”
My impression of Ogaki’s works has been moulded by a certain darkness. I discover a non-specific major depressive disorder うつ病 (utsu-byo) in her gloominess. The two installed sculptural works and two copperplate prints had been titled with “uzu #1” and “uzu #2”, which gives you a hint towards the Japanese word ‘utsu’ うつ. This exhibition could reflect the treatment for her psychiatric disorders. Admittedly a vague analysis by me, however a useful, often practiced cathartic method by artists in spaces like a gallery or a museum.
The installation character of “Beyond The Time” aims to be of a transcendental atmosphere, which calms your mind and body, despite being in the middle of hectic Shinjuku. Ogaki’s virtuosity opens the pathway for the visitor’s spiritual experience. Zoomorphic creations embody our encounters with her personal family history and different symbolic, metaphorical vocabulary, rooted in mythology, religion and culture in Ibero-American or Mesopotamian art.
Ogaki’s use of sound to portray transcendence is one of her artistic practices to let the viewer experience mystical discoveries which point to our daily lives during actual war times. In all seriousness, the artist mentions the possibility of WWIII. Unrein’s sound creation gracefully supports the whole exhibition and intentionally helps the viewer getting floated, undercurrently, into Ogaki’s Milky Way.
Tokyo, Mario A

大垣美穂子 Mihoko Ogaki Solo Exhibition “Beyond The Time”
06. Jan – 03. Feb.2024
KEN NAKAHASHI Gallery, Tokyo
https://kennakahashi.net/ja/exhibitions/beyond-the-time
English:
https://kennakahashi.net/en/exhibitions/beyond-the-time