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川辺 ナホ
Naho KAWABE
1976 Born in Fukuoka, Japan
Currently lives and works both in Germany and Japan
profile photo by Volker Renner
WORKS EXHIBITIONS NEWS STATEMENT CV

WORKS

  • Naho Kawabe & Hanae Utamura "STRATA"
    2022
    installation view
    Venue: WAITINGROOM (Tokyo) / Photo by Shintaro Yamanaka (Qsyum!)
  • Doppelwalzenschrämlader / Double waltzing rolling shearer
    2022
    charcoal, light bulb, plastic, string, pecker, ceramic, acrylic paint, acrylic lacquer, dimension variable
  • The fate of the lost energy (small version)
    2022
    charcoal, light bulb, commercially available wall-mounted shelf with a width of at least 100 cm and a depth of at least 26 cm all with a white surface (In the exhibition “STRATA”, we used the shelf made by IKEA), string, glass fiber, acrylic lacquer, dimension variable
  • coal beds
    2022
    Ink, lacquer spray, watercolor, 496 x 694 mm
  • coal beds
    2022
    Ink, lacquer spray, watercolor, 496 x 694 mm
  • On the social contract
    2022
    charcoal, plastic, book, acrylic paint, acrylic lacquer, 150 x 190 x 145 mm
  • Banana boat
    2022
    charcoal, plastic, acrylic paint, acrylic lacquer, 35 x 210 x 95 mm
  • Apple
    2022
    charcoal, plastic, acrylic paint, acrylic lacquer, 70 x 110 x 95 mm
  • Solo Exhibition "Black and Green"
    2022
    installation view
    Venue: TOM REICHSTEIN CONTEMPORARY, Hamburg, Germany / Photo by Claus Sautter
  • Social Distances 1.5M
    2022
    charcoal, barrier tape, motor, metal, dimensions variable
  • Black and Green (detail)
    2021
    lacquered MDF, plastic, book, charcoal, acrylic, pottery, dimensions variable
  • Blooming Black
    2019
    Charcoal, string, light bulb, battery
    Collection : Boxes Museum, Guangzhou (CN)
  • Aufenthaltswahrscheinlichkeiten
    2019
    Single channel video, sound, 17min.4sec.
  • Solo Exhibition “In Other Words”
    2018
    installation view
    Venue: Konya2025(Fukuoka) / Photo by Shintaro Yamanaka (Qsyum!)
  • Solo Exhibition “Save for the Noon”
    2018
    installation view
    Venue: WAITINGROOM (Tokyo) / Photo by Shintaro Yamanaka (Qsyum!)
  • Eine echte Frau löst jeden Knoten
    2018
    Single channel video, sound, 49min.13sec.
    video still
  • Circle of Everyday Life
    2018
    Charcoal powder, concrete, thread, motor, lead, feather, tree, aluminum, wire, Dimension variable (charcoal 1350 x 1350 mm)
  • LOL Memory
    2018
    All I’s from the novel: The ship who Sang (Anne McCaffery, 1961), acrylic, copper wire, linen strings, binding glue, paper, 305 x 220 mm each
  • LOL Memory – The Ship who killed
    2018
    All I’s from the novel: The ship who Sang (Anne McCaffery, 1961), acrylic, copper wire, linen strings, binding glue, paper, 305 x 220 mm
  • Division/2010s
    2018
    Charcoal, lacquer spray, glass, 500 x 400 mm
  • Division/1950s
    2018
    Charcoal, lacquer spray, glass, 500 x 400 mm
  • Circle of Everyday Life
    2018
    Charcoal, lacquer spray, glass, 500 x 400 mm
  • Solo Exhibition “The Children of Icarus”
    2017
    installation view
    Venue: WAITINGROOM (Tokyo) / Photo by Keiichi Amano
  • Argon Navis
    2017
    Wood, iron, fishing wire, plastic, paper, clay, aluminum, acrylic lacquer, LED, Earthmeter, Dimension variable
  • Continent of Africa
    2015
    Paper, pin, Approx. 100 x 140 mm each
  • Continent of Africa (Ver. A) #6
    2015
    Paper, pin, 100 x 140 mm
  • Continent of Africa (Ver. A) #5
    2015
    Paper, pin, 100 x 140 mm
  • Solaris
    2016
    All I’s from the novel: Solaris (Stanislaw Lem, 1961), linen strings, glue, 650 x 200 x 150 mm
  • The Black Cloud
    2107
    Wood, fishing wire, plastic, paper, aluminum, acrylic lacquer, flashlight, 1500 x 300 x 450 mm
  • Metasequoia
    2017
    Inkjet print, 300 x 450 mm
  • Patterns of Concealment
    2017
    2 pages from the book, tin, charcoal, glass, 300 x 400 mm
  • wise men's stone
    2017
    A page from the book, acrylic, tin, 60 x 60 x 60 mm
  • Nachts
    2016
    Plastic, glass, mirror, metal, thread, wood, LED, Dimension variable
    Installation view, Venue: Ermekeilkasernen (Bon, Germany)
  • Breaking Memory
    2016
    Installation view
  • Breaking Memory
    2016
    Single channel video, 7min.52sec.
    video still
  • Routes of migratory
    2015
    Paper, pin, Approx. 180 x 180 mm each
  • Fall, float evenly
    2010
    Single channel video, 7min.22sec.
    Installation view
  • Restrict
    2014
    Charcoal powder, 1000 x 3500 mm
    Installation view, Venue: 8. Bremer Kunstfruhling (Bremen, Germany)
  • Expurgation
    2014
    A page from a book, tin, 150 x 200 mm each
  • Swimming the wall
    2012
    Charcoal powder, glass, wood, 400 x 500 x 50 mm
  • Curtain
    2010
    Single channel video, 9min.30sec.
    video still
  • We are the Strangers!
    2012
    Paper, linen, 150 x 250 mm
  • sealed! #2
    2012
    Charcoal powder, light, 1500 x 1500 mm
    Installation view, Venue: Markisches Museum (Witten, Germany) boesner art award 2012 winning work / Photo by Ina Riepe
  • Song for the forbidden zone
    2011
    Single channel video, sound 5min.30sec.
    Online performance, June 11th 2011 / FOLD Gallery (London)
  • Solo Exhibition “Open Secret”
    2011
    Installation view
    Venue: Shiseido Gallery (Tokyo)
  • Der Weg I
    2008-2009
    Single channel video, sound, 31min.18sec.
    video still
  • Wash Your Blues
    2007
    Single channel video, sound, 4min.
    video still
  • Sugarhouse
    2004
    Single channel video, 4min.
    video still
/48

EXHIBITIONS

NEWS

STATEMENT

My focus is on the materials used in artwork. Especially after Fluxus and Arte Povera, the applied material became a significant issue for visual artists. In the process of production, understanding, the social context of the materials was very important and the choice had to be careful and precise.

I am using charcoal dust for many of my artworks. Charcoal (carbon) is a “primary matter” and is akin to the energy of coal generated and stored over hundreds of thousands of years in the depth of the earth. Charcoal is made by cooking wood in a low oxygen environment, while coal derives from compressed trees and plants, each finding their source in sunlight. I employ charcoal powder, scattering it through permeable templates, in order to visualize the shapes of borderlines (silhouettes) and large images of black plants, flowers and ornaments. My charcoal installations are meant to be temporary.

By creating flower fields with deep black charcoal powder, disassembling letters into balls in space, in making paper-cut silhouettes from borderlines, cutting out all the letters ‘I’ from books and joining them together, transferring conversation to music, or pulling out the blue from a video, my art creations take in principal the character of "material-transformation". Therethrough I try to seek out an answer to the question: Where is the actual boundary on different levels, social, geological, physical and phycological.

The phenomenon “borderline” is a reflection of the various boundaries in our society.
In a way they represent the outline of an era. From this perspective, a boundary is a chaotic and oscillating space where dynamic ‘transformation’ happens all the time. I see my work in trying to grasp the contour to this fluid space with adequate materials.

(Oct. 2016)

CV

EDUCATION
2006

University of Fine Arts of Hamburg, Diploma

1999

Musashino Art University, Tokyo, Bachelor

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022

Black and Green, TOM REICHSTEIN CONTEMPORARY, Hamburg, Germany

2021

1/3 2/3 3/3, Paper Gallery, Kosovo
Artist in Quarantin, nachtspeicher23 e.V., Hamburg, Germany

2019

Blooming Black, Boxes Art Museum, Guangzhou, China

2018

Save for the Noon, WAITINGROOM, Tokyo, Japan
In Other Words, konya-gallery, Fukuoka, Japan

2017

The Children of Icarus, WAITINGROOM, Tokyo, Japan

2016

delikatelinien, Ermekeilkaserne, Bonn, Germany

2014

piece, piece (with Jane Brucker), Port Gallery T, Osaka, Japan

2013

Observer Effect, Wassermühle Trittau, Germany
Observer Effect, Galerie du Tableau, Marseille, France
relation, unscharf, STORE contemporary, Dresden, Germany

2012

Blüthenstaub, Port Gallery T, Osaka, Japan

2011

Open Secret: 5th shiseido art egg Award Exhibition, Shiseido Gallery, Tokyo, Japan

2010

Most things happen in the interval, Port Gallery T, Osaka, Japan

2005

Helgoland, Gallery IAF SHOP*, Fukuoka, Japan

2004

dem Anschein nach, Einstellungsraum e.V., Hamburg, Germany

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022

STRATA, WAITINGROOM, Tokyo, Japan
Himekore x Sasakore Enjoy with your five senses! Contemporary Art Collection Exhibition, Susaki Machikado Gallery / Former Miura House, Kochi, Japan
New Collection Exhibition, Fukuoka Art Museum, Fukuoka, Japan

2021

Kleine Gesellschaft für Weg und Umweg, Hinterconti, Hamburg, Germany
OUT FOR ART Jugend kuratiert, Haerder Center, Lübeck, Germany
ISOLA, Galerie Hengevoss-Dürkop, Humburg, Germany
Artist in Quarantine, nachstpeicher23 e.V., Humburg, Germany

2020

10TH, WATINGROOM, Tokyo, Japan
LRRH_Contribution, ZERO FOLD, Cologne, Germany
Aufenthaltswahrscheinlichkeiten, 8. Salon e.V., Hamburg, Germany

2019

Aufenthaltswahrscheinlichkeiten / Stochasric Effect, The Blend Apartments & Artist in Residence, Osaka, Japan
Naho Kawabe + Neil N Alone, Posture Training, FLAG studio, Osaka, Japan
RADICAL TWILIGHT, Frappant, Hamburg, Germany
Naho Kawabe + Daniela Wesenberg, drawings and objects, Galerie Nanna Preußners, Hamburg, Germany
Fuzzy Dark Spot, Deichtorhallen Sammlung Falckenberg, Hamburg, Germany

2018

Transitons, Frappant, Hamburg, Germany
Landschaft. Gebrochene Idylle, Schloß Agathenburg, Agathenburg, Germany

2017

NEWSPACE, WAITINGROOM, Tokyo, Japan
wie es sich ereignet – Naho Kawabe + Hendrik Lorper, Take Maracke & Partner, Kiel, Germany

2016

LIFESTYLES – KUNST aus FUKUOKA, JAPAN, WESTWERK, Hamburg, Germany
QMAC Collection Exhibition ON THE WALL, Operation Table, Fukuoka, Japan
Grenzenlos - Himmlische Perspektiven, Schlosskirche, Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
The Material of Memory, Frise, Hamburg, Germany
ort-m migration memory, Frappant, Hamburg, Germany
FIELD of OUR IMAGINATION, Westwerk, Hamburg, Germany

2015

Von Wörtern und Räumen, Galerie im Marstahll, Ahrensburg, Germany
Sudden Change of Idea, Union Art Museum, Wuhan, China
presente - Interchange & Commentary III, Frappant, Hamburg, Germany

2014

IN SEARCH OF CRITICAL IMAGINATION, Fukuoka Art Museum, Fukuoka, Japan
Notausgang am Horizont, 8. Kunstfrühling, Bremen, Germany
How Modular Is Now?, Künstlerhaus Sootbörn, Hamburg, Germany
Can I ask you personal question?, Sichuan University Art Gallery, Chengdu, China
Bien Merci, Galerie Le Couer, Cologne, Germany
Subreale Welten. Photography from Hamburg, Port Gallery T, Osaka, Japan

2013

… und Hamburg, was glaubst Du? Kunsthaus, Hamburg, Germany
ONE YEAR, Galerie Marstall, Ahrensburg, Germany

2012

boesner art award 2012, Märkisches Museum, Witten, Germany
Moving Surface, Künstlerforum, Bonn, Germany
Video Violence, Kunsthaus, Dresden, Germany
Thermal noise (The Bee to Bee Net, solo), FRISE, Hamburg, Germany
Out of Space, Gallery SUZUKI, Kyoto, Japan
Toi, Port Gallery T, Osaka, Japan

2011

Archive und Geschichte(n), Hamburger Kunsthalle/Galerie der Gegenwart, Germany
JCE: Jeune Création Européenne, with The Bee to Bee Net, Paris and other cities in Europe

2010

Versus Whiteout, with The Bee to Bee Net, Kunsthaus, Hamburg, Germany
come into sight, Port Gallery T, Osaka, Japan

2009

The Bee to Bee Net, Künstlerhaus Sootbörn, Hamburg, Germany
Twinism. 20 years partnercity Hamburg/Osaka, Kunsthaus Hamburg, Germany / AD&A Gallery, Osaka, Japan
StipendiatenArt, Johann-Friedrich-Danneil-Museum, Salzwedel, Germany

2008

The Bee to Bee Net meets hulahoop, Gallery hulahoop, Hong Kong
Einlandung, Mecklenburgisches Künstlerhaus Schloss Plüschow, Germany
Wir nennen es Hamburg, Kunstverein in Hamburg, Germany

2007

Lebe wohl. Suizidalität, Kunst und Gesellschaft, Kunsthaus, Hamburg, Germany

2006

Migration Addict, Sculpture squer, Singapore
Joint the dots, Ben Kaufmann Gallery, Berlin, Germany
Plattform#3, Kunstverein Hannover, Germany

2005

Wintergarden, Raboisen, Hamburg, Germany
Migration Addict, Warehouse, Shanghai, China

2003

Sweet Tune, Hotel Stadt Altona, Hamburg, Germany

2000

KROM, Setagaya Art Museum Gallery, Tokyo, Japan

1998

World Wide Network Art, Asahi Super Dry Hall, Tokyo, Japan

ART PROJECT
2022

Das war mal ein ganz tolle Idee, https://www.nahokawabe.net/oase-der-kunst/

2020

Camera Isolata, Online Art Projekt, https://camera-isolata.nahokawabe.net

AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
2022

Toshiaki Ogasawara Memorial Foundation

2021

Zukunftsstipendium, Hamburg Cultural Foundation
NEUSTART KULTUR, Federal Republic of Germany
Nordhorn Art Award Short list

2020

Kunst kennt keinen shutdown, Hamburg Cultural Foundation

2019

15th Workshop Projekt, Boxes Museum, Guangzhou, China

2016

Project grant, the city of Hamburg

2013

Nomura Foundation Fellowship

2012

Wassermühle Trittau, Sparkassen-Kulturstiftung Stormarn
boesner art award 2012, Jury's Special Award

2011

The 5th shiseido art egg Finalist

2009

Japanese Government Overseas Study Programme for Artists

2008

Hamburger Arbeitsstipendium für bildende Kunst
Artist in residency, Salzwedel, Sachsen-Anhalt

2006

Artist in residency, Mecklenburgisches Künstlerhaus Schloss Plüschow

2005

Leistungsstipendium für Ausländische Studenten, University of Fine Arts of Hamburg

2001

DAAD

FESTIVALS AND VIDEO SCREENINGS
2018

VOLTA 14, Basel, Switzerland

2017

Smart Illumination Yokohama 2017, Zou no Hana Park, Kanagawa

2015

Performance, Artville/Dockvillefestival, Hamburg, Germany
Transit. Über Medialität und Bewegung (kuratiert von Elke Kania), Via Pietro Garzoni 5, Venedig, Italy

2013

Schwanken und Verschwinden (kuratiert von Ludwig Seyfarth), Via Pietro Garzoni 5, Venedig, Italy
MEDIA MATTERS (kuratiert von Elke Kania) Museum Folkwang, Essen, Germany

2011

Online-Performance-Session, FOLD Gallery, London
INDEX 11, Hamburg, Germany

2010

Kongress für Anders, medibüro, Michaelis-Krankenhaus, Hamburg, Germany

2007

loop pool, Lounge for shortfilms, Oberhausen, Germany
INDEX 07, Hamburg, Germany

2005

Berliner Kunstsalon with The Bee to Bee Net, Berlin, Germany
Juan Media Festival, Inchon, Korea

2004

Stand der Dinge, Metropolis Kino, Hamburg, Germany

2003

International Short Film Festival, Hamburg, Germany

2000

Mukojima EXPO, Tokyo, Japan

PUBLICATIONS
Aufenthaltswahrscheinlichkeiten, 2019, Catalog, Japan
DELIKATELINIEN, 2016, Germany
Observer Effect, 2012, Revolver Publishing, Germany
CATALOGUES AND BROCHURES
Fuzzy Dark Spot. Videoart from Hamburg, Deichtorhallen Sammlung Falckenberg Hamburg, 2019
Belinda Grace Gardner, Transitorisch: Strategien gegen die Vergänglichkeit, transcript Verlag, 2017
Lifestyles, Lifestyles Exhibition Executive Committee, Jan. 2017
ort_m (migration memory), Revolver Publishing, Feb. 2017
Von Wörtern und Räumen, Stiftungen der Sparkasse Holstein, Oct. 4, 2015
Kunst Frühling 2014, BBK Bremen e.V., May. 16, 2014
IN SEARCH OF CRITICAL IMAGINATION, Fukuoka Art Museum, Feb. 10, 2014
BOESNER ART AWARD 2012, boesner GmbH holdings + innovations, 2013
Moving Surface, ML Moving locations e.V., 2012
Shiseido art egg vol.5, SHISEIDO, May. 25, 2011
INDEX 11, Index, Nov. 2, 2011
EXTRA 3, Kunsthaus Hamburg, May. 11, 2010
ARTICLES
Satoko Morita, "The Way to Become an Art Collector｜Collector's File 04 Sasagawa Naoko”, Nikkei OTONA no OFF, Nikkei TRENDY No.501, Jan. 2023, p.126, Nikkei Business Publishing, inc.
Anny Shaw “Art Week Tokyo’s perfectly orchestrated official launch leads some gallerists to ask -do we really need fair?”, The Art Newspaper, Nov. 5 2022, https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/11/04/art-week-tokyo
Andrew Durbin ”A Critic’s Guide to Art Week Tokyo”, Frieze, Nov.4 2022, https://www.frieze.com/article/critics-guide-tokyo-2022-november
Sachiko Shoji “New Experiences and Perceptions Encountered at the Museum”, Fukuoka Art Museum Blog, Apr.22 2022, https://www.fukuoka-art-museum.jp/blog/36622/
Frank Keil “Visible behind the barrier tape”, taz, Jan. 23 2021, https://taz.de/!5745484/
Sachiko Shoji, Curator’s note “Local Prospects 4 / The Past and Present Within Us: Kazutomo Tashiro, “Ulleung-do” and Terue Yamauchi, “Crossing Tides” / Naho Kawabe In Other Words”, artscape, Dec.1 2018, http://artscape.jp/report/curator/10150995_1634.html
Rie Kiguchi “Tracing the transparent outline”, Ikebana Ryusei, No.704, Dec. 2018, Ryusei-ha institute
Exhibition information, POPEYE No.859, Nov. 2018, p.214, Magazine House
Shohei OGAWA “Suspecting a fuzzy borders”, Nishi-Nihon Newspaper morning issue, Nov. 15 2018
Shohei OGAWA “Showing Boundary as A Swinging Thing”, Nishi-Nihon Newspaper morning issue, Jun. 15 2017
Maren Kruse “Hinter die Dinge geschaut”, Kieler Nachrichten, Jun. 2 2017
Sachiko Shoji “We exist a lot in the universe”, REVIEWS, Bijutsu Techo, No.1053, May 2017, p.163, Bijutsu Shuppan Sha
Kyo Yoshida, review of the exhibition, The Children of Icarus: Will the “first contact” change our conscious of the bor-der?, TOKYO ART BEAT, Apr. 3 2017, http://www.tokyoartbeat.com/tablog/entries.ja/2017/04/naho-kawabe-the-children-of-icarus.html
“The Children of Icarus”, Bijutsu Techo, No.1032, Mar. 2017, ART NAVI p.15, Bijutsu Shuppan Sha
Chr. zu Mecklenburg “Schweben und Schwingen“, General-Anzeiger, Jun. 1 2016
Hayo Schiff “Geschichten von Geschichte“, TAZ, Mar. 5 2016, https://taz.de/!5280816/
Cem Akalin, “Kunst und die Absurdität von Grenzen“, General-Anzeiger, Jan. 14 2016,
http://www.general-anzeiger-bonn.de/bonn/stadt-bonn/Kunst-und-die-Absurdität-von-Grenzen-article1802898.html
Sabine Burbaum-Machert ”Grzymala erste Preisträgerin beim art award”, boener Kunstportal、Feb. 18 2016, https://www.boesner.com/kunstportal/boesner-art-award/baa-2012/monika-grzymala-gewinnt-ersten-boesner-art-award-christian-henkel-peter-pumpler-naho-kawabe/
Jens Asthoff “Von Wörtern und Räumen”, KUNSTFORUM INTERNATIONAL, No. 237, Dec. 2015, p.314
Akiko Sakamoto, IN SEARCH OF CRITICAL IMAGINATION, Rumor Project, artscape, Jan. 15,2014,http://artscape.jp/report/curator/10095396_1634.html
Yoko Minami “Gullible Uncertain Things”, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, Feb. 3 2014
Hayo Heye “Wo Kunst Entsteht“, Mar. 22 2013, p.36, Revolver Publishing
Patrick Niemeier ”Beobachter-Effekt mit Blick von außen“, Stormarner Tageblatt, Apr. 2 2013,
https://www.shz.de/lokales/stormarner-tageblatt/beobachter-effekt-mit-blick-von-aussen-id28386.html
“Eine Welt aus Kohlestaub und Glas”, LN online, Mar. 20 2013,
https://www.ln-online.de/Lokales/Stormarn/Eine-Welt-aus-Kohlestaub-und-Glas
Laura Treskatis, Trittau inspiriert zu Neuem, Hamburger Abendblatt, Jul. 19 2012,
https://www.abendblatt.de/region/stormarn/article108327974/Trittau-inspiriert-zu-Neuem.htmlL
Bettina Albrot “Kluger Kamerablick auf das Schöne“, Lübecker Nachrichten, Jul. 19 2012
Patrick Niemeier ”Ein Jahr voller Möglichkeiten für die neue Stipendiaten in Trittau“, Stormarner Tageblatt, Jul. 19 2012, https://www.shz.de/lokales/stormarner-tageblatt/ein-jahr-voller-moeglichkeiten-fuer-die-neue-stipendiatin-in-trittau-id197013.html
Shigeru Takashima ”A strong and ephemeral question thrown by the light”, Peeler, Jan. 2012, http://www.peeler.jp/review/1201osaka/
Ursula Meyer-Rogge “Metamorphosen Künstlerinnen in Hamburg“, Dölling und Gallwitz Verlag, 2011, p.209-216
Karin Schulze “Naho Kawabe“, MONOPOL, Jul. 2009, p.23
Aomi Okabe ”Jumping Suicside”, Bijutsu no Mado, No. 297, May 2008, p.37, Seikatsu no Tomo Sha
Belinda Grace Gardner “Lebe wohl“, DIE WELT, Nov. 1 2007, https://www.welt.de/welt_print/article1319214/Lebe-wohl.html
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