photo: KIOKU Keizo
Happy Paradies
| Artist | FUJI Hiroshi |
|---|---|
| Year | 2015 |
| Material/ Technique | mixed media |
| Size/ Duration | dimensions variable |
| Copyright Notice | © FUJI Hiroshi |
| Year of acquisition/ donation | 2015 |
| Description | Born in Kagoshima, Japan in 1960. Lives and works in Fukuoka. Devoted himself to theatrical activities while studying at Kyoto City University of Arts. Later shifted his attention to creative activities based in his local community, establishing the performance unit Kyoto Johosha. After completing a master’s degree at Kyoto City University of Arts, Fuji lectured at Papua New Guinea’s National Ar t School as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer for JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). Then, after joining an urban planning group, he established in 1992 the Fuji Hiroshi Design and Production Room. Since then he has been engaged in creative activities arising out of community resources, appropriate technology and cooperative relations in various locations. Has worked as a vice-director of NPO Plus Arts (2016-), director at Towada Art Center (2014-2016), professor of the Arts & Roots Course, Akita University of Art (2014-) and president of NPO arts center akita (2018-). Founded in Fukuoka in 2000, Kaekko is an exchange system for once-loved toys devised by Fuji and run by local residents in thousands of public and commercial facilities and other locations nationwide in an effort to encourage voluntary activities among children. This initiative addresses various issues facing society, including environmental education and disaster education, and is becoming increasingly popular as an activity that has the potential to “transform” the regions. The materials for "Happy Paradies" consist mainly of the toys given away with meals by fast food chains that have accumulated, never having been exchanged, over the 15 years that Kaekko workshops have been held around the country since the system was established in 2000. The task of arranging the toys is carried out by people other than the artist on their own initiative, and this changing appearance is an important component of the installation and the reason why it can be thought of as a clear expression of the Kaekko program itself. The use of the neologism “Paradies” instead of “Paradise” in the title also seems to suggest this work symbolizes the remnants of today’s consumer society. |
NOTES
This Collection Data page contains the works and materials in the collection of 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, as of April 1, 2018.
Artists are listed alphabetically by artist’s surname.
Works and materials by the same artists are listed according to the date of the work in principle.
Works whose dates are unidentified are listed at the end of each item. Some works are not listed according to the date of work due to their relations.
The data of works and materials are listed in order of title, production year, material/technique/form, dimensions, donor’s name, copyright holder and credit for photograph.
Dimensions are given by height (H) x width (W) in centimeters for plane work, and height (H) x width (W) x depth (D) in cm for 3-D work. Diameter (Ø) is used for circular work.
For the name of country or city, the name currently used in English is listed in principle.