lost & found / everything

Ritsuki Fujisaki Gallery is delighted to present "lost and found / everything," a solo exhibition by Taka Kono, born in 1994 and currently based in Matsudo, Japan. Taka Kono earned his BFA from Parsons School of Design in Fine Arts in 2017, he is the founder and director of mcg21xoxo. Notable exhibitions include "specter" at Hunsand Gallery in Hangzhou, China (2024), "down4u" at Ritsuki Fujisaki Gallery in Tokyo, Japan (2022), "GARDEN OF GODS" at SXSW x ultrastudio in Houston, USA (2022), and "only only makes sense if there’s nothing else" at darkZone in New Jersey, USA (2021). "Lost and found" traditionally refers to a space for storing misplaced items until they can be reclaimed by their owners. The exhibition draws inspiration from the concept of lost property, exploring themes of retrieval and possession. At the far end of the gallery, a lamp casts light on a puddle scattered with coins, creating an image reminiscent of coins tossed into a wishing well. Adjacent to this, a triptych adorned with petroglyphs in deep, dark petroleum colors serves as a mystical map. Words crafted from alloys, embedded into the panel, trace the spatial semantics of humanity's journey across time and space. Together, the soil beneath the triptych and its monolithic presence evoke the atmosphere of a cave. This scene is framed by white curtains that blend elements of ancient human habitats with modern domestic spaces. The subdued lighting intertwines with these domestic elements, crafting a setting that feels both primitive and intensely personal. The narrative of the exhibition recalls "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" by E.L. Konigsburg, where siblings Claudia and Jamie survive inside the Metropolitan Museum by collecting coins from a fountain. This exhibit's arrangement captures the exhilarating yet perilous journey of acquisition and loss, dictated by fate. It portrays a paradoxical blend of harmony and comedy, underlying the fundamental aspects of human life. - Table (Altar) - Central to the gambling ritual, the table is more than just a physical object; it's a sacred space where the material world meets fate. Hands - Symbolizing direct action and human intent, the hands interact with the table, shuffling, dealing, and revealing. They are the conduits through which participants attempt to influence outcomes, much like in a séance. Gamble - This represents the core action of risking something of value on an uncertain outcome, embodying the participant's engagement with the forces of chance. Séance - Parallel to Gamble, it signifies a space where individuals seek insights from beyond, attempting to contact and understand the unseen. Axis - This central element ties the entire experience together, emphasizing that intention is at the heart of the ritual and that outcomes feed back into future intentions. Fate & Chance - Interwoven with Table and Gamble, this element underscores the unpredictable nature of gambling, akin to the random messages of a séance. Mystic - Situated between Gamble and Séance, Mystic represents the enigmatic draw of the unknown that fuels both practices. Patterns - This illustrates the repetitive nature of the rituals, the patterns that emerge from continuous engagement with these practices. Shared energy - Highlighting the collective aspect of gambling and séances, where communities share energies and their hopes converge. Ritual - Encompassing the ceremonial acts inherent in both gambling and séances, it reflects the structured yet profound experiences that participants undertake. Revelation - Much like the unexpected insights from a séance, it represents the outcomes of gambling—wins, losses, and new understandings. Echo - The lingering effects of gambling, akin to the residual energies of a séance, which can impact future behavior and beliefs. Veil - This symbolizes the threshold between the known and the unknown, the barrier that gamblers and séance attendees alike strive to pierce for answers or advantages.