[Title] Mémoires des livres
[Artist] Izumi-Ine
[Date] November 18, 2010 – January 25, 2011
Books and more books – lined up in methodical fashion, stacked several levels high.
Emerging here, in the final window of 2010, a year portraying the theme of Tales to be Told, are someone’s bookcases. The books in the collection, which at first glance appear to be piled in disorder, upon closer inspection are clearly and tightly organized on the strength of some underlying principle.
But whose bookcases are these? Hints lie in a number of objects, of which glimpses may be secured throughout the scene. A gray coat. A purple bag. A black hat. Just what kind of person would own these pieces? And for that matter, what are the contents of such a large number of books, which have obviously been carefully gathered and are now regularly taken in hand to peruse?
An extensive book collection, therefore, is the window motif chosen by the artist Ine Izumi. The books themselves are art objects empowered to weave “tales” of reality, or of fantasy. Within the volumes, furthermore, lies the power to gather these tales together, engineer their coexistence with other objects, and draw forth an array of tales from the imaginations of those who gaze at them.
Embedded in the background is a photo by Seiji Shibuya, serving as a clear guidepost for the imagination. A scene of women, selecting something. Are they the owners of the bookcases? Or, are they searching for something for the real owner?
Bookcases and books, like some sort of geometric pattern. Izumi’s work, delicate in composition and detail. Shibuya’s photo, arousing the stream of imagination. The interaction of a mutual air of tension, much like a suspense film, inlaid with Hermès products acting as keys to unlock the mystery. The end of the tale, played out in the backdrop, is entrusted to the individual viewer.
Ine Izumi
Born in Tokyo in 1977. Graduated from Tokyo University of Fine Arts (Department of Oil Painting under the Faculty of Fine Arts) in 2002. From 2000, under the name of “Kon-Izumi,” embarks upon the creation of paintings in a distinctive ornamental style. From 2008, shifting to the persona of “Izumi-Ine,” moves into production beyond just paintings to also include art objects, photographs, spatial installations and other disciplines, relying upon everyday events as the motif and striving to bridge the gap between reality and illusion. Works have been displayed at the Tomio Koyama Gallery, MA2 Gallery and other galleries, art museums and other venues.