SCAI THE BATHHOUSE, a Yanaka landmark		"Ground," acrylic on synthetic paper

SCAI THE BATHHOUSE prides itself on "introducing Japan's avant-garde artists to the world as well as helping exceptional artists from abroad to establish a presence in Japan... and to discover and promote young artists." Located in Yanaka's shitamachi arts district, this unique contemporary art gallery was established in 1993 in the renovated Kashiwayu public bath building, which has a 200-year history. In contrast to the traditionally preserved exterior and tile roof, its interior is a modern, light-filled space with concrete floors and high ceilings.

Currently SCAI THE BATHHOUSE is featuring the first solo exhibition for Osaka native Tomoko Shioyasu. Since graduating from Kyoto City University of Arts in 2004, she has been recognized with a Grand Prix at the 6th Spiral Independent Creators Festival (SICF), exhibited at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial, and was selected for the 2007 VOCA exhibition. This year she received the Gotoh Memorial Cultural Award Most Promising Young Talent Prize in the Fine Art Division.

Shioyasu describes her own work as inspired by nature. Her approach employs either cutting small slices into paper with a utility knife, soldering holes into synthetic paper, sketching, or painting, and requires a significant amount of rhythmic, repetitive handwork. The little cuts, punches or strokes she makes over and over again evolve into large-scale flowing images that are ethereal and dreamlike.

Of the six pieces on display, three are definitely 2D and one is definitely 3D. The 2D works include acrylic and charcoal on paper or synthetic paper. "Sprouting" and "Evolving," both charcoal on paper, appear to be studies for later cutting works. These reveal a methodic, almost labored approach, whereas "Ground," an acrylic on synthetic paper, is more free-flowing and organic. The monochrome pattern is reminiscent of what one might find upon slicing open a gemstone.

Shioyasu created "Throbbing Pulse" by soldering holes of various sizes and spacing into synthetic paper. The piece simultaneously exhibits a sense of emerging and a mesmerizing likeness to coral. Although wall-mounted, it extends down to the floor like a wedding train. That and the depth produced by varying the angle of each hole make this a piece that borders between 2D and 3D.

Situated in the center of the main display space is a modest-sized sculpture entitled "Nucleus." It may have been born from the trials to create "Throbbing Pulse," as it employs the exact same medium, but with portions of the soldered synthetic paper twisting into a volume. One may indeed mistake "Nucleus" for coral.

The exhibition's centerpiece is "Cutting Insight" -- a 3.5 x 6 meter panel of painstakingly hand-cut paper vertically suspended in the center of its own space. The piece is lit directly from the front, casting an equally impressive shadow. The work appropriately takes cues from traditional Japanese paper craft, origami and textile arts. As a result of cutting, the paper's density become much more like that of a sheer curtain, and it flows gently in the air. Visitors are drawn to get closer and walk behind the piece, experiencing the shadow it casts onto their bodies.

It is deeply satisfying to see the fruits of an unfathomable amount of hand labor. Repetitive pursuits such as knitting, quilting and whittling are known for their therapeutic effect. Even visualizing Shioyasu performing this work was calming to me. Much in the way my mind wanders to mundane trivialities whenever I have tried to meditate, however, I started to think about the technical challenges in creating such work. How long does it take to produce a piece this size? Where does she conduct her cutting on a 3.5 x 6 meter piece of paper? Where does one buy a 3.5 x 6 meter piece of paper? Is her pattern planned out ahead of time or does it simply emerge from a stream of consciousness? Does she ever make a mistake? How does she protect and transport these pieces? Fortunately, Ms. Shioyasu doesn't succumb to the limits of her medium.

The Gotoh Memorial Cultural Award that she received this year includes a grant which Shioyasu intends to use for conducting research and work in China and Europe. This experience will no doubt inform her work and promises further acclaim.

A detail of "Ground"		"Throbbing Pulse," soldered holes in synthetic paper
"Nucleus," a by-product of "Throbbing Pulse"?		Viewers drawn in by the labor-intensive cutting work
		All photos by Nicolai Kruger