Nanzuka presents the solo exhibition of works by Keiichi Tanaami. This exhibition features a display of drawings, collages, paintings, and animations made by Tanaami in the ’60s and early ’70s that were recently discovered in the artist’s studio. This will be the first public showing of these original works.

The main works to be displayed in this exhibition, inspired by the contexts of American pop art as driven by Andy Warhol and the shock of Tanaami’s first visit to NY in 1967, were made during the latter half of the ’60s through the beginning of the ’70s and include drawings such as original sketches of illustrations, personal collage books, oil paintings of the contemporary celebrity idols and actresses of the time, and erotic animation created for the late night TV program 11pm. The flag-bearer of the counter culture that blossomed as a reflection of the tumultuous times symbolized by events such as the Vietnam War, the revision to the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, the Cultural Revolution in China, and the 1973 oil crisis, the ironic, pop modes of expression for which Tanaami’s works are valued have not lost their luster over the past fifty years but rather today seem to have gained radiance. Reflecting upon the era that was the 1960s, Tanaami made the following comment: “Looking back at the path I have taken to get here, with all of its twists and turns, it is clear to me that the special period of the ’60s still casts a sharp, bright light from the distance. It would be appropriate to say that everything, all of the illustrations, animations, experimental films, paintings, prints, and sculptures, were born in the ’60s and have now grown to maturity.”

The title for the exhibition, Killer Joe’s, comes from the name of the legendary discotheque for which Tanaami worked on art direction. Concurrent with the exhibition, a complete catalogue of these early works by Keiichi Tanaami is being published by contrarede.

Part 1: 4/03 (Sat) - 4/26 (Fri)
Part 2: 4/27 (Sat) - 5/25 (Sat)