Award comment

Thank you very much for receiving the wonderful award of the aatm2012 Grand Prix.
Making things, letting things go, talking until the morning, fighting sometimes, listening to music, singing, dancing, reading books, studying words, continuing, asking, and speaking out. , to walk.
During the construction process, as I held the works in my hands, I remembered the people who taught me about them.
From now on, I would like to meet everyone to express my gratitude. (Mari Katayama)

Judge's review

Those who come into contact with this artist's work will be overwhelmed by his methodology, which begins with extremely personal matters of the body and then interacts with the world around him. As a sculptor, his production process connects things on various levels, such as memories from childhood, the present of daily life, and hopes for the future, through various images that cannot be expressed in words. However, it is clear that what is consistent therewith is an open sensitivity and philosophy that goes beyond just internal and private ideas. Each of her creations is underpinned by both delicate poetic thoughts and universal concepts, opening the door to all possibilities for individuals and society. (Akiya Takahashi, Director of Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo)

Award comment

It was very difficult to display the work inside the glass wall of the underground passageway, and it was the first time for me to do so as an exhibition space. I had never created an installation with such a location in mind, so I learned a lot from the exhibition. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all my friends and associates who supported me, and to the staff who cooperated with me. Thanks to everyone, I was able to win the semi-grand prize. I'm really thankful to you. I would like to use this award as a springboard to continue producing. This work, ``NEIGHBOR,'' is an attempt to understand the existence of others through the term ``neighbor.'' The inspiration for this work was when I started thinking about the family next door to my apartment. I would like to continue thinking about and deepening this theme. (Pan Yizhou)

Judge's review

Heartbroken by the history of Japan-China relations and the controversy that has mysteriously surfaced, he has created works of art that have found a way to question all humanity about these contradictions. Mixed with humor. His (Pan's) leap toward generalization (Pan) of problems is important. Anyway, now is the time! ! (Kohata Kazue, Professor, Department of Intermedia Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts)

Judge's review

Here, by using materials other than traditional painting materials, such as tracing paper, as if they were layers of skin, he effectively expresses the wavering overlapping of images, taking a cue from a passage from Banana Yoshimoto's "Kingdom." It expresses themes such as the ambiguous realm suspended between reality and falsehood, and the danger that arises from this. (Taro Amano)

Judge's review

He has an extremely level-headed critical spirit towards modern society, which is sublimated into his video works. I also think that the monitor and sound effects were well thought out despite the limited exhibition space. The doubts about Japanese painting that lie behind the video expressions are also the reason for promoting the production and cannot be overlooked. I would like to keep an eye on their future activities. (Yuka Uematsu)

Judge's review

Utilizing the craft technique of dyeing, he created beautiful works that fit within the context of contemporary art. I strongly feel that this work has the potential to break through the limits of conventional painting and photographic expression. The motif is everyday life, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops in the future. (Shigeo Goto)

Judge's review

There are many people who insist on photography (material) as chemistry/engineering and compete with digital pixel photography (information), but this is an attempt to materialize photography as an experience of light and the viewer. An eloquent visual experience that includes the use of materials such as wax. As we trace the depth of view, we trace the hierarchy of matter with mass, making us dream of the universe. (Kohata Kazue)

Judge's review

The charm of Koji Nakazono's paintings lies in the variety of techniques that go along with the content. What to draw and how to draw it. Different spaces emerge depending on how the materials are used, and a painting emerges from a collection assembled like a mosaic. It's wonderful to see how bravely they tackle the experiment. (Tomio Koyama)

Judge's review

Arisaka is a member of the video/graphics group ``Last Resort'' and is already well known to those in the know, but this work has a unique perspective as an insight into ``the era when it was possible to put things on top of the television.'' It made me very angry. I feel something like a driving force eroding the boundaries of established territory. (Naoki Sato)

Judge's review

The screen is so soft and gentle that it is so tactile that it looks like a dyed work. The rhythmically continuous patterns seem to be an expression of textiles that show squeezes and bleeds. The colors that cover the entire piece also have a deep, light feel, as if the fabric was dyed using natural pigments. A free and honest expression of sensibility backed by skill. (Akiya Takahashi)

Judge's review

The untidy shapes are depicted in a constructive manner, with specific meanings. Because the strength of the graphics coexists with the intention of constantly unfolding the meaning, it has a structural quality even though it is superficial. Although it is metallic, the softness of the fabric confuses the presence of objects, while also evoking an intention toward mathematics and theory. (Yuko Hasegawa)

Judge's review

I felt like I was doing something that suited me, and I felt like I might be able to create a good picture someday. (Izumi Kato)

Judge's review

He takes everyday objects reminiscent of commuting, such as ties, scarves, and hanging straps, and carefully combines them to create arabesque-like compositions. This creates the tough surface of a painting. He praised the artist's skill in guiding the viewer to issues of high art while using familiar phenomena as an entry point. (Reiichi Noguchi, Head of Curatorial Group Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo)

Award comment

Thank you very much for receiving the Shu Uemura Award.
I was really surprised, as I never expected to receive such an award as someone who works with soil as a material.
Furthermore, I had the wonderful opportunity to be involved in a Shu Uemura project, and I am both nervous and excited about this challenge for the first time.
At aatm, I once again felt the joy of creating works and having them seen by others.
I would like to continue to work hard to create good works. (Maho Kamiya)

Judge's review

The delicate, complex, and gentle colors and light-sensitive, elegant textures seen in Ms. Kamiya's work are similar to the feeling of wanting to pick up beautiful Cosmetics and apply them to your skin. We transform natural materials into beautiful art. (Yasu Uchide, Shu Uemura International Artistic Director)

Judge's review

I was captivated not only by the overwhelming power of the work, but also by the world view that expanded into every detail the more I looked at it. Looking at the screen where many elements are folded over each other and hearing his comment that he wanted to incorporate everything he wanted to draw, I felt a strong sense of fresh modernity. (Kentaro Totsuka, HPGRP GALLERY Tokyo Director)

Judge's review

The material in Mr. Kim's work was very attractive. The use of wax and silkscreen was also interesting, and the contrast between natural and artificial light was very attractive. His work was very close to French art history, and I sensed a French flavor in him, so I really wanted him to exhibit it at the Franco-Japanese Congregation. (Hélène Kermerster, Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy)

Award comment

I was very happy to receive the Audience Award. I think it will be a valuable experience for me to feel that someone other than me is actually looking at my work. It's encouraging. thank you very much. (Akuni Nakazono)

Comments from those who voted for Mr. Nakazono

• The balance between primitive power, mythical serenity, and evil humanity is beautiful. (Female in her 50s/housewife)
• It was so impactful that I couldn't help but stop in front of it. It was fantastic and interesting, and I felt drawn into the work. (Female in her 50s/housewife)
• Because I noticed it often. There was something that caught my eye. (Male in his 50s/office worker)
• The colors are wonderful. The three-dimensional feeling becomes closer. (Woman in her 70s/housewife)
• I feel like I'm in the moment when I look at the pictures on my digital camera. (Female in her 50s/office worker)
• It had a unique charm, and of all the works on display, it seemed to have the most room for growth. (Female in her 30s/civil servant)
• I was synchronized with the world of elementary school students. (Female in her 30s/Part-time job)
• It expresses everyday life by contrasting night and day. (Male in his 60s/self-employed)
• This is a very interesting picture. It's nice to see you having fun drawing it. (Female/Student in her 20s)
• The colors are beautiful. The eyes in the work are cute. (Female in her 50s/Part-time job)

Voting Period: April 28, 2012 Sat- May 13, 2012 Sun
Total number of votes: 240 votes