AG Gallery

Anti-Glasswork 2016 by Takao Sakata 
August 26, 6pm – September 1, 2016

AG Gallery is pleased to announce the Anti-Glassworks exhibition by glass-sculptor Takao Sakata again this summer. This is one of several in AG Gallery’s annual exhibitions presenting Sakata’s soulful glass-work installations.

Takao Sakata is a glass sculptor with a long career presenting his glass-work in Shiga, Japan. He introduces to not only his audience, but also to other glass-work artists around the world, the new era of glass-work art which must be created from a strong passion to breakthrough the conventionality of current “glass art”. This is the 5th solo-exhibition of Sakata’s work at AG Gallery, and in this year’s Anti-Glassworks Installation the artist visualizes the most trendy topic and concern of the moment, the US Presidential Election, through his point of view.

ABOUT Anti-Glassworks Series
“When we look at glass-work art these days, we only see works that are weak, cheap, and pleasing to the eye. They are called “modern glass art” or “world glass art” and seen as if they are the only real art. Glass artisans without a strong belief and knowledge, and the lack of outstanding glass-work art critics, are making it difficult for abstract glass-work art to progress. The purpose of art is to express nature, society and human being through clear sense and techniques. It means the attribute of glass material doesn’t produce any arts. Marcel Duchamp said that people in his century had been blind completely to art. It is also my severe criticism to contemporary glass-work art.”-Takao Sakata

ABOUT This Year’s Anti-Glassworks Installation
-What is the inspiration for this year’s Anti-Glassworks?

“This year’s Anti-Glassworks are deeply influenced by the United States presidential election. We are probably going to experience a historical moment as we will most likely have the first female president of the United States.
I am sensitive to the social movements of other nations, including the United States,  just like I care for my own country. I see the social movements as a citizen of the world, and with this perspective I create my work as responses to society. The urge naturally came to me to express my interest in and feelings for the US presidential election as the theme of this year’s Anti-Glassworks installation that will be presented at AG Gallery.

In my installation, Mr. Donald Trump is portrayed as a house of cards. He is a charming person, but there are dangerous sides in his policy. The Trump tower is standing on the verge of collapse. The glass objects around it encourage the tower’s self-control. I will leave the rest to your imagination and understanding.

Although I do not have a vote in the election, the result will affect us and the world.
This exhibition is my deep cheering message that I send towards both candidates.” -Takao Sakata

TAKAO SAKATA
Lives/works in Shiga, Japan
Graduated From Tokyo Glass Art Institute

If you have any inquire about artworks, artists, and our gallery space, please feel free to contact us at: natsumi@aboutglamour.net