Art at KIX - KIX CULTURE GATE Project Phase 1

The artwork "Copy without Original" is an experimental piece where a painted canvas is burned, while the digital replication of the artwork continues to exist. Selected as a piece for the KIX CULTURE GATE project, it was deemed fitting for the Osaka Expo, which centered around the theme of life, considering the many adversities overcome in the Kansai region. This artwork symbolizes a painting that rises from the ashes to colossal proportions after being burned once.
Drawing inspiration from figures like Buddha and Jesus, who are perpetually replicated even after their physical demise, the artwork pays homage to the concept of "the process by which humans attain eternity through the replication of the self even after death." The original painting, themed around "the re-experience of the oldest artist," was created manually, bare-handed, amidst the sunset, monoliths, fire, and altered states of consciousness. Following a solo exhibition (2019, elephant STUDIO), the original painting was incinerated at the production site.

His lifelong dedication to the themes of "flying," "sleeping," and "sitting" encompasses his current focus on "flying" for this particular project. "Flying" entails the concept of "In-Flight Painting," where he completes his artworks in what could be deemed the closest studio to space while soaring through the sky aboard an airplane—a truly "groundless artist." This concept is epitomized by his signature style known as "Maze Painting," which depicts the outlines of subjects resembling a labyrinth.
Once again, his latest works were crafted during round-trip flights departing from and returning to Kansai International Airport.

This artwork draws inspiration from one of the twelve zodiac animals, "Tiger," which is a motif from East Asian traditional culture. The artist's unique perspective is reflected in acrylic paintings that are digitally scanned and printed out. The depicted tiger emerges like a holographic image in a fantasy world, distorting space, tearing through it with immense power, and presenting a vision of future creativity.
Throughout history, creative works have always been influenced by the past and the surrounding environment. Sharing ideas and techniques, as well as differentiation, have led to diverse expressions. Handling traditional motifs from the perspective of contemporary art contributes to the ongoing narrative of creative history. In the grand flow of time, we continue to evolve and influence each other, perpetuating change.

Naka's mission is to express the contemporary era's rehabilitation from the socially restrictive environment imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, using the motif of non-verbal communication inherent in music, which transcends language. The artwork portrays a society adapting to limitations, focusing on the dynamic movement of musical instruments and impulsively moving limbs.
Various instruments are likened to people, overlapping, resonating, and intersecting, symbolizing diverse human interactions. Inspired by the runways of Kansai International Airport, the background depicts the bustling cityscape and the communication among its inhabitants, reflecting the development of Kansai as a cultural hub. Through this artwork, one can observe the vibrancy and connections within the city's community, even in the face of challenges.