The history of constellations dates back to about 5,000 years ago.
They are said to have been created by Mesopotamian shepherds who connected the stars while looking up at the starry sky, which is good evidence that we humans have been vaguely attracted to the universe since ancient times.
In art as well, there have been many works with starry skies and constellations as subjects, but it has been more than 50 years since Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Now that the secrets of the universe are gradually being revealed through the power of science, has the subject matter of space art changed as well?
Hironobu Naito
People have been fascinated by the moon, not only the Japanese, but also people of all ages. Naito's lyrical depiction of the human longing for the moon is expressed through the use of mineral pigments.
Guide (Shirube)
76 x 57.7 cm Naito says that when he suddenly looks up and sees the moon shining in the sky, he reflects on the time he has lived and feels the "silence" of his heart. The blue moon, painted with coarse paint, will bring calm and serenity to the viewer.
Blue
moon116.7 x 91 cm For more information about the artist, click here.
Chihiro Kabata
Kabata is known for drawing irregular shapes on inkjet paper with black ballpoint pen. She uses black ballpoint pen to draw irregular shapes on inkjet paper, etc. She draws various objects delicately and powerfully.
Unseen Planet, Aurora
90 x 90 cm Planets scattered in the universe have been outputted by processing human imagination from what is observed. Kabata's "planets", however, have an abstract shape that seems impossible to exist. However, the unknown magic of "unknown" is hidden in the expression that can be said to be conceptual.
Unseen Planet, Atlanta
90 x 90 cm For more information about the artist, click here.
Naomi Maegawa
Maegawa identifies the nature of the stars with her own creation.
I feel that the unseen reaches of the universe are similar to the human heart.
100 x 40 cm It is said that when a star reaches its end, it destroys its own matter towards its own center, explodes, scatters elements, and disappears from existence. I, myself, continue to paint in the hope of knowing my own center, me. Everything is connected. Maekawa's works seem to be full of energy.
Maekawa's works seem to be full of energy. She uses oil bars (made of oil paint and beeswax) and sometimes her own fingers instead of brushes to unify her body with the canvas.
I am in this square. In the infinite universe. The story has begun.
53 x 53 cm For more information about the artist, click here.
Needless to say, the universe is huge. It's so big that we don't even know how big it is. No matter how much science grows, we may never know all of it, at least not yet. But that's why I can't help thinking about the universe, which will continue to be mankind's greatest romance.
