SHARJAH ISLAMIC ARTS FESTIVAL (DEC 13, 2017 - JAN 23, 2018) Hitoshi Kuriyama: 1=0 - Reflections

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and ruler of Sharjah, the Cultural Affairs Department at the Sharjah Department of Culture has organised the 20th Edition of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival.

The installation '1=0 - Reflections' by Hitoshi Kuriyama is on view at the Sharjah Art Museum as part of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival 2017/18.

Hitoshi Kuriyama explains the installation to Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi at the opening of the Festival / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Hitoshi Kuriyama has been inspired by the repetition and infinity that can be found in the arabesque of Islamic art. He uses one glass tube as one unit and repeats it to construct a bigger image just like the enormous arabesque is constructed with repetition of smaller geometric patterns/units.

Over the past years, Kuriyama has examined the equivalence and synchrony of seemingly opposing phenomena and ideas through his artwork. '1=0' is his hypothesis, which is created from the idea that no event could prove complete nothingness. Therefore one is more likely to find an equivalent in the seemingly conflicting ideas on 'existence' and 'non-existence'. By showing such juxtaposition through his work, he prompts the viewer to rediscover awareness of this world from new perspective. The use of mirrors is a first for Kuriyama and he has overcome the challenge with success. The reflection of mirrors draws us into the endless micro world and its multiplications creates expanding atmosphere.

Kuriyama earned a M.A. in constructive art at University of Tsukuba (2006), and a Ph.D. in inter-media art from Tokyo University of the Arts (2011). In his work he explores equivalence in conflicting ideas and demonstrates them from a scientific perspective. Hitoshi Kuriyama has participated in numerous exhibitions worldwide, such as 'GLASSTRESS 2011 collateral event of the 54th Venice Biennale', Italy; 'Drifting Images' Boda, Seoul, South Korea; 'What Dwells Inside', Bergen, Norway; 'Lichtkunstfestival Aufstiege', Stuttgart, Germany; and 'Japan Alps Art Festival 2017', Nagano, Japan.

Hitoshi Kuriyama, 1=0 - Reflections / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Hitoshi Kuriyama, 1=0 - Reflections / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Hitoshi Kuriyama, 1=0 - Reflections / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Hitoshi Kuriyama, 1=0 - Reflections / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

The 20th edition of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival (SIAF) presented many exhibitions and large scale installations at the Sharjah Art Museum, and at other venues such as Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Awqaf Department, Al Qasba, Maraya Art Centre, and Calligraphy Square.