Kagoshima Mutsumi's unique designs, featuring animal and plant motifs, are painted on ceramics and objects. He conveys the joy of design and objects to viewers with a touch of charm and humor. In recent years, he has collaborated with various brands and worked on murals, earning him acclaim overseas, including in London, Los Angeles, and Taiwan. Now, an exhibition of his work has begun in his hometown of Fukuoka. The appeal of Kagoshima's highly original works lies in their powerfully structured designs and the shapes they create using unique techniques. This time, a large-scale exhibition themed around these two concepts will be held simultaneously at two venues: Mitsubishi Estate Artium and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.

■Tracing the Origins of Ideas
"Kagoshima Mutsumi's Design Exhibition"

The exhibition, held at the Mitsubishi Estate Artium art gallery inside the I'ms fashion building, explores how Kagoshima's artworks are born and take shape, focusing on the origins of design.

The venue is organized and developed around the concept of design, broadly divided into the approaches of vessels, products, and space. Let's introduce the highlights of each.

<Design x Vessels
The wall immediately upon entering the venue is home to ceramic works, the origins of Kagoshima's artistic activities. Kagoshima's vessels, which are created using more than four techniques including scraping, underglaze painting, wax removal, and blue and white porcelain, create unique expressions. Even with the same motif, the different techniques and colors create fascinating nuances. There are also large plates, and from the very beginning, you'll lose track of time as you are drawn into the intricate world of the artworks.



<Design x Space>
The first thing that catches your eye when you step into the space is the mural of "ZUAN" painted across the entire wall. Painted live in front of the large crowd of fans who had gathered, the design, composed of spring-like pink, is uplifting.



In conjunction with the mural, designs of birds and flowers are painted on the ground and walls of the floor. In the photo booth, which features enlarged designs of handmade ceramic plates, you can jump into the world of the artwork and enjoy taking photos freely, experiencing the charm of the designs that make bold use of the space.



<Design x Product>
In the zone showcasing products such as textiles and package designs, Kagoshima designs are expressed in a variety of materials. Product details are as follows.

◇ Collaborative works with brands from a variety of genres.



◇ ZUAN&ZOKEI products are developed through the archives of the "Kagoshima Mutsumi Design Exhibition" held at the "doinel" shop in Aoyama, Tokyo from 2013 to 2016, as well as collaborations with various designers, artists, and manufacturers. Original drawings and the background to their creation are also introduced.



◇Fabric items using Kurume kasuri, tenugui towels, and Indian woodblock prints.





■Going beyond the world of pottery
What is the appeal of the designs he uses in his products?

What is the appeal of the designs that Kagoshima creates, not only on plates but also on paper items, textiles and murals?



For example, Kagoshima had this to say about the wool blanket he created in collaboration with Lapuan Kankurit: "This blanket isn't a repeat of a pattern; it's cut from paper at full size. So, I was quite nervous about it. I wanted it to have no top or bottom from any angle, so when folded, the floral pattern wraps around the edge. It's more fun that way." The designs are meticulously crafted with the user in mind, and Kagoshima himself enjoys different materials, expanding the possibilities of the designs and giving them form. It's fascinating to find the touches of Kagoshima's thoughtfulness in the various pieces. This exhibition allows you to see a variety of materials and items up close and rediscover the joy and compositional power of Kagoshima's designs. The impression notebook features a picture and words from a girl who dreams of becoming an artist. We hope you enjoy the artwork, which appeals to people of all ages and genders.


Next, let's move on to the introduction of "Kagoshima Mutsumi's Art Exhibition," currently being held at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.



【Exhibition Information】
#KagoshimaMutsumiExhibition

"Kagoshima Mutsumi's Design Exhibition"
Venue: Mitsubishi Estate ARTIUM
Address: I'ms 8th Floor, 1-7-11 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Dates: Until March 12, 2017
Time: 10:00 - 20:00
Admission: Adults 400 yen (300 yen), Students 300 yen (200 yen), High school students and younger free *Prices in parentheses are advance ticket prices

"Kagoshima Mutsumi's Art Exhibition"
Venue: Dazaifu Tenmangu Treasure Hall, Special Exhibition Room
Address: 4-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Dates: Until March 12, 2017
Time: 9:00-16:30 (last entry at 16:00)
Admission: Adults 400 yen (300 yen), high school and university students 200 yen (100 yen), elementary and junior high school students 100 yen (50 yen) *Prices in parentheses are discounted rates for groups of 30 or more
Closed: Mondays except January 30th