Join us at Japan House London for an immersive performance blending ambient soundscapes and live drawing by artists Koganezawa Takehito and Kamimura Yōichi. The performance is a culmination of the artists’ parallel research conducted during their residency at Van Gogh House in London supported by Japan House London Trust. 

Since their collaboration exploring drift ice in Hokkaido in the winter of 2019, Koganezawa Takehito and Kamimura Yōichi have continued to work together and push the boundaries of drawing and sound. In London, they have been exploring the environment of the River Thames through Kamimura’s field recording of the water and Koganezawa’s artistic research related to the river’s flow lines.  

 Kamimura Yōichi refers to his field recording process as an act of ‘meditative hunting’, where he acts as an observer of the amorphous relationship between humankind and nature. Recorded material is later turned into immersive sound installations, many of which draw upon our biology to create surprising sensory experiences.  

In his artistic practice, Koganezawa Takehito captures the physical movements of drawing and transforms them into moving images. The camera serves not merely as a recording device but as a means to further advance the performance. His meticulously programmed concepts are shaped by an element of improvisation occurring during the act of performing. 

 

At Japan House London, Kamimura Yōichi presents mixed soundscapes, ranging from sounds of drift ice in Hokkaido and glaciers in Iceland to the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, while Koganezawa Takehito shows an array of drawing techniques inspired by landscapes from around the world.  

After the performance, the artists are joined in conversation by Sam Thorne, Director General & CEO of Japan House London, to elaborate on their artistic practices. Audience members will also have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the event. 

 

Please note that filming and photography may take place at this event. Photos and footage of the event may then be used to promote Japan House London, helping more people to discover what we offer. If you have any concerns, please contact us online or contact a member of the team on site.

The event starts at 18:30 and will last for about one hour.

 

About the Collaborators

Koganezawa Takehito

Born in Tokyo in 1974, drawing artist, video artist, and performer Koganezawa Takehito graduated from the Department of Film and New Media at Musashino Art University. From 1999 to 2017 he was based in Berlin. His works range from video installations to performances, drawings and sound installations. In recent years, he has also worked on stage and in theatre spaces. Koganezawa’s works have been shown at major art events including Manifesta 4 in Frankfurt am Main, Yokohama Triennale, Aichi Triennale and in venues such as Haus Konstruktiv in Zurich and Kanagawa Prefectural Gallery in Japan. 

 

Kamimura Yōichi

Born in Chiba in 1982, Kamimura Yōichi graduated from the Department of Oil Painting at Tokyo University of the Arts. His major works include sound installations, light installations and watercolour drawings. Kamimura’s works have been presented widely in Japan and abroad with solo exhibitions and performances held, among others, in Japan, Switzerland, Brazil, Finland and Germany.     

                    

Van Gogh House 

Van Gogh House is a local heritage site and cultural institution which hosts a programme of exhibitions, residencies and events. It is located in a Georgian terraced house, where Vincent Van Gogh once lived as a young man during his stay in London.  Through their residency programme, Van Gogh House supports artists with research-based practices to develop a project in the house, responding to its history and famous tenant, as well as network in London and take advantage of its cultural scene. Currently, Van Gogh House hosts Koganezawa Takehito and Kamimura Yōichi, who work on a project focussing on the River Thames, an important aspect of Van Gogh’s life when he lived in London.