Art journal #102: Yoshitomo Nara @ AsiaSoc NY

I almost didnt go - until I recall Nara-san came to NY recently but got arrested after making graffiti in NY Union Sq subway (though he came that time not for the AsiaSoc show, its for Boesky Gallery). Anyhow, that got me interested to check out his first major NY show, and I wasnt disappointed.

I saw sth at AsiaSoc before, and I like it (its about revolution period posters). This time they went all out - Nara's collaborator, YNG, put up several wooden huts inside the cramped AsiaSoc 2/F and 3/F to house Nara's work. One of the key themes is music (sth that influenced Nara a lot in his work) - and his choice music was playing in the background throughout the exhibition space, creating a complete Nara experience, the way he wants you to see his work.

I saw one of his wood tower installation, also by YNG, at Art Basel in 2009, thinking that was good - but, this is way more impressive!

Nara's depiction of helplessness, frustration, through his use of animals/kids motifs were on great display across more than a decade of work. Its a generation of Japan captured on these artworks. I discovered that I particularly love his works on found, random materials - envelopes from Tomio Gallery, pieces from carte boxes, etc!

Another impressive, "NY moment" installation is a white fiberglass of his classic "Nara girl" standing on Park Ave, in between the roads!