Coverage: “NO ART HERE” by Javier Calleja at Nanzuka 2G at PARCO & 3110NZ by LDH Kitchen, Tokyo, Japan

Two years after his solo debut with NANZUKA, Javier Calleja is back to Japanese capital for another solo exhibition which will be presented on 2 locations – at NANZUKA 2G space at PARCO in Shibuya, and at transforming gallery space 3110NZ in collaboration with Sushi Saito.

Calleja produces work that brings surprise and humor to viewers by incorporating subtle twists and interventions to various events within everyday life. Honest about expressing fondness and respect for the works of other artists, such as René Magritte, Calleja attempts to reference and reinterpret the techniques of the surrealist master through contemporary portraiture.

As testimony of such endeavor, his expressions carefully pay attention to details such as changes in color and shifts in scene, as well as gaps and discrepancies between his subjects and the messages that they convey. Furthermore, the setting for the narratives that naturally draw the attention of the viewer, are also an ingenious ploy that are executed on his part. When confronting his works, we as viewers come to realize that what is in fact represented within its context, is our own mentality and subjectivity.

For this occasion, a three-dimensional work with a placard that reads “NO ART HERE,” which serves as the title of the exhibition, is presented at NANZUKA 2G space at PARCO along with an installation that is based upon it. While at first glance the work can be interpreted as a self-deprecating joke, the presence of this text is in fact an antic that encourages us to paradoxically perceive and examine what we see as a work of art. Along with this indoor presentation, the gallery is marking the 1st anniversary of PARCO by displaying Calleja’s “HEADS” sculpture at the entry of the building. The installation will be on display between November 19th and December 20th, 2020.

The presentation at the transforming gallery space 3110NZ, organized in collaboration with Sushi Saito, is comprising of new paintings which are putting a strong focus the correlation with the text drawn in the work. The works will be on view between November 25th and December 20th, 2020.

Scroll down below for more images of the installations and canvases from “NO ART HERE”.

Source: StreetArt - streetartnews.net