Jinny Street Gallery will hold its new exhibition, The Life of Things, by Tokyo-based artist Yugo Isaji. In this captivating show, Isaji invites viewers to look beyond the physical forms of everyday objects and uncover the unseen forces that give them meaning. The exhibition runs from January 10th to February 10th, with an opening event on January 18th. A special limited-edition label of the Jinny Lemon Sour, featuring artwork by Isaji himself, will also be released for the exhibition.
Exhibition Statement:
About ten years ago, at Asagaya Station, someone kept leaving a small amount of uncooked rice, about one cup, in a corner of the platform. I talked about it with a friend who lived nearby. My friend suggested, “Since rice plants are symbols of lightning, maybe it’s some kind of rain ritual?” That explanation seemed possible. After that, whenever I went to the station, I would always check to see if there was rice left. Even when there wasn’t any, pigeons would always be nearby, looking for food. There was also a warning posted from the Asagaya Station Manager that said, “Please do not leave rice here. If we find out, we will call the police” which showed how everyone was concerned about that episode.
Remembering this, I started thinking about something that kept bothering me. What if the person leaving the rice was a contemporary artist? If that was the case, I wouldn’t feel the same sense of purity that my friend and I had thought.
In the end, it seems unlikely that the artist would have any special powers. But I still hope their work could reach something new or unknown.
In his exhibition statement, Isaji recalls an Episode from few years ago in front of Asagaya Station: “About ten years ago, at Asagaya Station, someone kept leaving a small amount of uncooked rice, about one cup, in a corner of the platform. I talked about it with a friend who lived nearby. My friend suggested, “Since rice plants are symbols of lightning, maybe it’s some kind of rain ritual?” That explanation seemed possible.” This memory triggered Isaji to rethink the relationship between humans and the objects that populate our everyday lives. “People seem to thrive by adapting to the existing society, making them appear quite similar to ‘products.’ What sets people apart from ‘products’ is the mysterious realm we possess.” he explains. With his new exhibition at Jinny Street Gallery in Jingumae, Isaji aims to help people rediscover a genuine sense of curiosity toward the objects around them, encouraging them to see beyond their utilitarian roles and explore their hidden depths.
The life of Things: A peek into the essence of the Objects in Isaji new work
In The Life of Things, Isaji delves into the essence of objects, inviting viewers to explore what lies beyond their shape. Through deconstructing familiar materials, bending and transforming them with the help of a heat, he tries to bring out the mystery and unseen potential that exists in everyday items. By stripping away the functional or utilitarian aspects of these objects, Isaji reimagines them as carriers of deeper meanings. His work seeks to remind us of the beauty and complexity of the material world, urging us to look closer at the things we often overlook.
As Isaji explains, “I create my work without having a clear image in mind, which makes me feel as though I am being guided by the materials and tools. It’s also a moment of liberation from the framework of ‘myself.’ In a way, I could say I immerse myself in creating to seek that experience. I find it fascinating to center my thinking on objects as a way to relativize my own existence." This sense of exploration and spontaneity is reflected in his practice, where materials themselves play a key role in inspiring the final work.
Challenging Perceptions Beyond the Material
Isaji’s work is not simply about physical transformation but about bringing up a new perception. The objects he uses—such as plastic bottles and cutter blades—are all materials that are typically overlooked or discarded. However, in Isaji’s hands, they are transformed into something much more, becoming symbols of the hidden potential and deeper connections that exist within our daily surroundings. By breaking down these materials and reassembling them, Isaji challenges our assumptions and perceptions about what these objects are, encouraging us to think differently about the world around us.Isaji elaborates, “When I work, I don’t just see the material for what it is. I try to understand what it can become, its deep nature. Doing this I am taking away the focus from myself and I center on the object itself." This research of the deeper truth of mundane world is central to his work.
Jinny Street Gallery