Interest
Suehiro Maruo, Hiroaki Samura to Participate in Exhibit on Japanese Eroticism
posted on by Eric Stimson
Suehiro Maruo (Mr. Arashi's Amazing Freak Show, The Laughing Vampire) and Hiroaki Samura (Blade of the Immortal, Ohikkoshi) will participate in "Gensō Tanbi — Gendai Art ni Okeru Japanese Eroticism" ("The Aesthetics of Illusion — Japanese Eroticism in Modern Art"), an art exhibit at the Bunkamura Gallery in Shibuya, Tokyo from June 17 to 28. Both artists are renowned for their ero-guro style which infuses grotesque imagery with eroticism. The exhibit will include two-dimensional art (paintings, illustrations) as well as three-dimensional works like porcelain dolls from 36 artists. The emphasis is on "bewitching," "provocative," "lovely" and "pitiful" female figures influenced by Japanese underground art of the 1960s and the Western aestheticist movement of the 19th century. Merchandise related to the artists will be available for sale.
There will also be a discussion on June 20 on aestheticism and how it has influenced Japan's lolita and otaku subcultures. The speakers will be academic Atsushi Tanigawa, illustrator Hajime Akiyama and doll expert Koitsukihime. Seating is limited to 50 visitors. Tickets will be available on-site at 10 a.m., with the discussion scheduled for 4 p.m. There will also be an autograph session, though only for those who have bought something related to the speakers.
Mari Shimizu's Kindan no Kajitsu ("Forbidden Fruit")
Hajime Akiyama, untitled
Seihachi Nakajima's Dress no Shōjo ("Girl in a Dress")
Yūji Moriguchi's Giboshi ("Bridge Post Ornament")
Etsuko Miura's Hanayome II ("Bride II")
Tomomi Hasegawa's Kakan no Shōjo ("Girl in a Wreath")
A work by Midori Hayashi
A doll by Koitsukihime
Maruo has also made himself available as a portraitist for hire.
[Via Comic Natalie and Bunkamura Gallery; Image from Gallery Yoidore]
