"GIFT of ART," an exhibition directed by artist Kengo Nakamura, is currently running at the Global Closet Gallery on the second floor of the main building of Isetan Shinjuku. It runs until December 31st.
The exhibition was inspired by the "XYZ" exhibition held at Megumi Ogita Gallery from late last year to early this year. Nakamura is in charge of direction. As this exhibition is being held in December, the lineup was created with Christmas in mind. Nakamura explains, "Exhibiting and selling art within department stores is a uniquely Japanese culture, but this exhibition takes it a step further by exhibiting and selling art on the fashion floor." While art purchases are often shipped at a later date, some of the works at this exhibition can be purchased and taken home immediately. "While art is often viewed as something to be appreciated, this exhibition offers a rare opportunity to consider whether you want it or not, and whether it's suitable for your space. As the exhibition title suggests, I hope visitors will also enjoy it from the perspective of giving art as a gift," says Nakamura. Nakamura uses traditional Japanese painting techniques to create unique paintings inspired by motifs familiar to us living in modern society, such as manga speech bubbles, character silhouettes, floor plans of studio apartments, and the "Re:" (email reply) symbol. While he has previously held exhibitions in department store art galleries, this is his first time exhibiting his work on the fashion floor. Nakamura's work, "Kokorobunichi" (472,500 yen), is displayed on the wall above the cash register, providing a backdrop for scenes of staff serving customers. The fusion of art, in-store fashion items, and scenes of staff serving customers adds to the intriguing atmosphere.

"In my own creative work, I place great importance on the feeling of 'living in the present.' My works include ones that use email as a motif, like 'Re:', and ones that use floor plans from housing information magazines. I create my works by combining the images that are right in front of me 'now' with the unbroken history of art. Contemporary art is 'the work of an artist who is living in the present.' Whether an artist will become famous or remain unknown is an unknown world. For this reason, acquiring a contemporary art work means creating a history together with the artist. I hope you will take this opportunity to visit the gallery," says Nakamura.