Do you remember me? Culture-bound syndrome Ⅴ

Yamazaki Ryoichi
Nakaochiai Gallery

Sat, May 15 – Sat, June 5
Gallery hours: Thursday / Friday 12:00 – 6:00 pm – Saturday 12:00 – 5:00 pm

Ryoichi Yamazaki’s sculptures, worked in plaster, glass and paint, explore the theme of a cultural phenomenon specific to Japan – hikikomori or “withdrawal syndrome”, a relatively modern psychological disorder. Affecting mostly adolescent males, it manifests itself as withdrawal from family and society, often to the point of complete isolation. Though Yamazaki’s sculptures, with uniform white hooded tops and remote look, suggest a sense of disengagement, they unnervingly also appear kawaii or cute, like popular Japanese characters.

This solo exhibition of new works of sculpture and drawing from Yamazaki, is an installation site specific to the Nakaochiai Gallery and a continuation of the hikikomori series. For the first time since it opened in 2004, the gallery — situated in a wooden house on what was once a traditional Tokyo shotengai or “shopping street” — is being used in it’s entirety, with works being shown throughout the building.