Japanesemodern artist Kazuo Kadonaga molds ‘evocative’ creatures
By A. Jaynelle St. JeanContributor
From Japan to Mexico, in Australia and throughout Europe, KazuoKadonaga’s glass sculptures have received international acclaim.
The exhibition now sits in the university’s very own backyard,hosted by the University Art Gallery.
The translucent green mounds — evocative creatures in a sciencefiction novel — are the latest work of Japanese modern artist KazuoKadonaga, and will be on display through March 6.
“This is to bring to students international work,” gallerydirector Tina Yapelli said. “Where else are our students going to seework from Japan?”
Eight of the 19-piece series are being shown, the heaviestweighing 1,900 pounds.
The production process entails time and patience, 48 hours to poura continuous string of molten glass from a furnace located 10 feetabove a preheated kiln, Ric Collier, director of the Salt Lake ArtCenter in Salt Lake City, said in an essay about Kadonaga.
The glass threads through a 12-inch opening in the top of the kilnonto a steel plate inside. There — in a closed, computer-controlledenvironment — the random accumulation of liquid glass will rest,slowly cooling for 120 days to room temperature before it is removed,he said.
Because each sculpture takes so much time, Kadonaga can onlyproduce a maximum of four pieces each year, his wife Yumiko said.
A portion of this process is shown on video as a part of theexhibit. The tape rolls for hours showing the seemingly endlessstream of fiery glass pouring from above.
Each piece takes on its own shape.
With the help of his wife as a translator, Kadonaga said he doesnot consider himself a glass artist.
His main concern is choosing a common material and researching itsproperties to find the best way to exploit the material. For example,when he worked with wood, he used cutting or chopping.
He wants to let them express themselves as simply as possible, hesaid.
Kadonaga is known for his work with ordinary materials. In thepast he’s used paper, wood, bamboo and silkworm cocoons, which beganto hatch while on display.
“The glass works assembled for this exhibit present the viewerwith confirmation of the artist’s successful collaboration with acommon material, a simple process and an unpredictable environment,”Collier said.
Books featuring this display and others are on sale in theUniversity Art Gallery, located on the fourth floor of the Artbuilding at the east end. It has been hosting the works of artists asrenowned as Kadonaga since the late 1970s.
“The goal of all exhibitions at the University Art Gallery is tofeature artworks that broaden your perception of art and expand theborders of what you encounter in your academic studies,” Yapellisaid.
The exhibition is sponsored by the School of Art, Design and ArtHistory; the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts; and thefund for instructionally related activities. Additional support wasprovided by the University Art Council.
