nca | nichido contemporary art

Identity II

Part 1: unease / relief
Part 2: self-scrutiny

Date Part 1 : April 16th - 30th　/ Part 2 : May 6th - 25th

Reception April 16th, Friday & May 6th, Thursday, 2004 18:00 - 21:00
Open hours Mon - Sat 11:00 - 21:00　/　Sun & National Holidays 12:00 -18:00　　　
nca - nichido contemporary art is proud to announce the opening of its second exhibition in a series that develops on our gallery theme of "Identity." The first part of this exhibition takes up the theme unease / relief, while the second part takes as its key concept self-scrutiny.

The world we live in today is full of pain, full of people suffering from the constant unease of that comes from having dreams but being unable to find their own vision or ways of giving. And, when this unease leads to a state where we can no longer distinguish between the visions (truth) and illusions in our own minds, we lose sight of the true realities.

What happens when we turn our backs on our vision-with its sole power to shed brief shafts of light on the truth-and allow ourselves to become absorbed in the insecurity that the conflicts and competitions of life produce? Surely the result will be frustration with ourselves and an overly emotional mindset. This is because the act of negating oneself inevitably leads to a sense of guilt that in turn drives us to a constant search for excuses to justify our existence.

Accepting the belief that life is a competition creates the need to constantly prove oneself, and in order to assuage the persistent unease that builds up in our souls we constantly seek things to compensate and reward ourselves with. In the process of chasing this mirage, we are in danger of losing everything of true value, such as sincerity, ethic, truth, mind and soul. And when, without our realizing it, we come under the spell of the dark unease and illusion that builds deep in our souls, that is the moment the beast within rises to claim its victory over the human soul.
Why is it that human beings must thus create another hell even deeper than the ones that already exist. It must be because we choose to inhabit formless (truthless) dreams rather than living life itself.

In the end, however, we must all take full responsibility for our actions-both the things we did and that which we failed to do. The true essence of the human being is found not in the act of getting things for ourselves but in the act of giving. It is this act that enriches the soul and makes that which is most noble in us shine. In order to find our personal truths, understand them and help build a society where positive creativity lives, the process of searching for the small jewel buried in the darkness of our souls is most vital.

The beauty and strength within works of art surely inspire us to undertake the search for our own true "identity" and provide us with new vision. What the world really waits for is a release from our chronic unease and the freedom to shine as individuals, without hurting others, and to build human relationships that shine as brightly as the constellations.