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On Kawara Biography
On Kawara was a Japanese conceptual artist, renowned for his meditative and systematic exploration of time, existence, and consciousness. Born on December 24, 1932, in Kariya, Japan, Kawara's early life was marked by the profound impact of World War II, particularly the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These events deeply influenced his perspective on life and humanity, leading him to question the very nature of existence and the role of art in society.
After graduating from high school in 1951, Kawara moved to Tokyo, where he began his artistic journey. His initial works were figurative, often depicting dismembered bodies and reflecting the post-war trauma that Japan was experiencing. These early pieces were exhibited at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1953, showcasing his talent and setting the stage for his future endeavors.
Kawara's restlessness and curiosity led him to travel extensively. In 1959, he left Japan and embarked on a journey that took him to Mexico, where his father was working as the director of an engineering company. During his three-year stay, he attended art school, painted, and explored the country, which marked the beginning of a life characterized by incessant traveling.
By the early 1960s, Kawara had settled in New York City, a place that would become his home base for the rest of his life. It was here that he began to develop the conceptual art practices that would define his career. His work from this period started to shift towards abstraction, incorporating grids and random words, reflecting his growing skepticism about art's ability to communicate effectively.
On January 4, 1966, Kawara started what would become his most iconic series, the "Today" series, also known as the "Date Paintings." Each painting in this series features nothing but the date on which it was created, meticulously hand-painted in white on a monochromatic background. The series adhered to strict rules: if a painting was not completed by midnight, it was destroyed; each painting was accompanied by a handmade box containing a newspaper clipping from the day it was made; and the language, dating system, and punctuation were tailored to the city where Kawara was at the time. This series, which spanned nearly five decades, included more than 2,000 paintings and was created in over 100 cities worldwide.
Kawara's work is characterized by its simplicity and its profound engagement with the concept of time. His "I Got Up" series from the 1970s consisted of postcards mailed to friends around the world, each stamped with the time he awoke that day. Similarly, his "I Am Still Alive" series featured telegrams sent to acquaintances, simply stating, "I am still alive." These works, while minimalistic, offer a deep insight into the artist's daily life and his contemplation of existence.
In addition to his paintings and correspondence art, Kawara created performance pieces, such as "One Million Years," where volunteers read aloud dates from the past and future, emphasizing the vastness of time and our fleeting moment within it. This piece was presented in various forms, including live readings and published volumes, further showcasing Kawara's fascination with the temporal dimension of human life.
Kawara's influence extended beyond his own practice, inspiring generations of artists. His work has been exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Venice Biennale, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art. Despite his significant contributions to the art world, Kawara maintained a low profile, rarely giving interviews or attending his own exhibitions. He preferred to let his work speak for itself, allowing viewers to engage with the fundamental questions it posed about life, time, and our place in the universe.
On Kawara passed away in 2014, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate within the contemporary art world. His meticulous documentation of time serves as a reminder of the individual's transient nature and the universal human experience of marking our existence against the relentless march of days. Through his work, Kawara achieved a timeless quality, inviting us to reflect on the moments that make up a life and the ways in which we choose to remember them.
On Kawara Quotes and Sales of
Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
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and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
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