The Japanese artist Aiko Tezuka deals with the differentiated meaning of fabrics. Tezuka takes a fabric and loosens individual threads, the so-called warp or weft threads, from it and then links them together anew. In this way she not only blurs the original pattern until a kind of analogue glitch effect is created, she also creates completely new motifs. In doing so, the artist also interweaves images from different cultures, for example from the Western and East Asian visual worlds, to create a new design. She uses both used fabrics that she finds at flea markets as well as purchased new items from modern fashion chains.
The focus of the presentation in the STUDIO of the Kunsthalle Mannheim is the expansive installation “A Study of Necessity (Satsuma-Buttons and Self-Orientalism) – 02“. Tezuka drapes this abundance of threads in the room so that a voluminous, ordered chaos can be experienced. In addition, the exhibition is showing a selection of wall works in smaller formats.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Aiko Tezuka (born 1976, Tokyo) studied painting in Kyoto and held various teaching positions at Kyoto and Okayama Universities until 2009. After a stay in London, she moved to Berlin in 2011. In 2012 she received a scholarship for the international studio program at Künstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin.
STUDIO
The STUDIO is where Kunsthalle Mannheim displays contemporary art by living artists. The STUDIO provides space for unfettered transdisciplinary experiments. This is where visitors can see changing exhibitions of new work by international artists working on surprising themes and questions.
