Oscar Oiwa in Paradise: Drawing the ephemeral

Description of project by Japan House

From 3 April, the Japan House São Paulo presents "Oscar Oiwa in Paradise: Drawing the ephemeral" with a selection of works and an original installation artist Nisei Oscar Oiwa, who consolidated his aesthetic style in Japan to strengthen its career in the contemporary Japanese art scene.

Exclusively for the Japan House São Paulo, Oiwa presented the installation "Paradise", a 360-degree design a building designed by the artist in an inflatable balloon vinyl material landscape. Visitors will be invited to enter this work and thus be part of this imaginary of Oiwa, in a unique integration. In addition to this piece, they will also be exhibited three screens of paulistano: The Dream of the Sleeping World (2009) After Midnight (2010) and Invisible Sea (2010). The worldwide recognition of Oiwa can also be seen by the presence of his works in collections of museums around the world such as the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo and Phoenix Museum of Art.

"It is extremely symbolic to host this exhibition at the time of commemoration of 110 years of Japanese immigration in Brazil", says Natasha Barzaghi Geenen, Cultural Director of Japan House São Paulo. During the 1990s, Oiwa lived for 11 years in Japan, where he consolidated the influences of the country of origin of his ancestors. "The fact that the artist emigrated to Japan, that is, do the reverse path of their fathers, perfectly illustrates the strong connection between the two cultures, highlighting the magnificent and centenary exchange between Brazil and Japan", says Natasha.

With individual and collective exhibitions in cities such as London, New York, Paris, Seoul and Tokyo, Oiwa constantly relies on drawings to build his works, something perceptible on their screens.

"I've always liked drawing very much, what I consider the most basic way to express yourself visually. A pencil and a blank sheet, there is no simpler than that means", says the artist.

The show is on display until June 3 and is sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric, Canon, Mayekawa and Bradesco Seguros.