Tanabe Chikuunsai IV at TAI Modern

Tanabe Chikuunsai IV was born into a family that has been working with bamboo art for generations. He started making bamboo art at the age of three. The family has the artist name “Chikuunsai,” which they pass on from generation to generation.

Tanabe made this installation with two apprentices: Tomo Uesugi and Kayoko Sano. They work with the artist every day, while learning the spirit and techniques of tradition.

The concept of this work is “connection.” TAI Modern is a very important place for Japanese bamboo artists. For over 20 years, TAI Modern has been introducing Japanese bamboo art to audiences outside of Japan.

This piece is made of Japanese tiger bamboo or torachiku. Tiger bamboo is a very rare and valuable bamboo that grows in a small area in Kochi Prefecture in Japan. It is a mysterious bamboo which grows only on one particular mountain.

The installation was carefully taken down at the end of the exhibition, and the bamboo was shipped to its next destination to be used again. The form of the work disappears, but the bamboo itself continues on.

Before this piece was installed in Santa Fe, the bamboo was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. By circulating the material, Tanabe express the connection.

Video by Incredible Films.

Видео Tanabe Chikuunsai IV at TAI Modern канала TAI Modern