Eiji Watanabe | Let’s Make a Horse-Head Cane!

Eiji Watanabe is known for his installations using cut out images of plants and creatures from illustrated guides arranged in countless numbers within physical spaces. In addition to presenting his work worldwide, he remains active in creating art spaces with his own hands in various locations, inviting young artists and international artists to collaborate and realize diverse projects. The centerpiece of this exhibition is the latest rendering of the series Garden of the Appellation, featuring images cut from plant and butterfly field guides arranged across floors and walls. This series began in 1992 and has developed across numerous locations. In plant and butterfly guides, diverse organisms are discovered, named, and classified by observers, accompanied by illustrations and descriptions. For instance, when one learns the name of a plant or mushroom encountered on a walk, it is only then that the object before them emerges as something identifiable within oneself, recognized as possessing individuality. When these confirmed illustrations are cut out and recreated anew in a different space as a “garden of the appellation,” we witness a fresh human-made nature. The venue will also feature the work CATCH & RELEASE, which expresses phrases connected to the piece using light bulbs, along with interactive installations allowing visitors to engage with the work. Workshops titled “Let’s Make a Horse-Head Cane!” are also scheduled to be held during the exhibition period.   Special Cooperation: Etoile Kaito & Co., Inc. Cooperation: Tokyo University of the Arts