Crystallizing Dishes

Based in Tokyo, Japan, Masayuki Kishimoto takes ordinary ceramic objects as the creative medium for his sculptural works. After collecting unwanted cups, bowls, plates, pots, vases, and jugs, he treats the cracks and chips on them with a traditional Japanese technique called "kintsugi", an art of fixing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold. Although no longer in use, these ceramic articles were once household essentials, and therefore these seemingly empty containers are still loaded with memories of the past. Kishimoto's works intend to revive such memories by "crystallizing" the used ceramics in the form of art. The process also embodies the Japanese philosophy of appreciating and respecting the objects used in everyday context.

Besides works created in Japan, for Very Fun Park Kishimoto has made one-of-a-kind sculptures with ceramics collected from local residents of Daan District, where the exhibition space is situated. An authentic slice of life is thus preserved, as refined as translucent crystals.