Classical Mutation

B-OWND Gallery announces new NYC Art Exhibition Classical Mutation featuring experimental ceramic artists Takahiro Koga and Hiromine Nakamura opens in New York City From Dec 14 Until Jan 14, 2024 at NowHere.
Also Presenting NEO WABI-SABI at SCOPE In Miami including special tea ceremony and Koto performance.

Today, renowned Japanese fine art goods company B-OWND (‘beyond’), an art division of Tanseisha, announced a new exhibition entitled Classical Mutation set to open in New York City on December 14 at NowHere (40 Wooster Street, First Floor). Running until January 14, 2024 this remarkable show will feature approximately 100 works by two acclaimed experimental Japanese ceramicists, Takahiro Koga and Hiromine Nakamura.

Koga and Nakamura have established themselves through their unique combinations of traditional Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship — taking renaissance ideas from the Sengoku and Edo periods of Japan, when samurai were still active roughly 500 years ago — and elevating them into works that harmoniously combine technology and expression, tradition and innovation, and movement and stillness… almost like a mutation. By fusing inspiration from the past and the present both artists’ works emit a striking individuality through a blend of pop culture like anime, sports, and fashion with traditional Japanese aesthetics.

“NEO MANEKINEKO” by Takahiro Koga

Koga is known for his artworks based on the concept of "NEO WABI-SABI," encompassing both the “simplicity of stillness” and the “vibrancy of motion” in Japanese culture. His pieces marry an “admiration for imperfections,” including both the simplicity of wabi-sabi and Zen aesthetics that blossomed during the Sengoku era with the flamboyant world of kabuki and samurai culture, resulting in work that is as visually striking as it is expertly crafted. To him, the kawaii culture of anime and games such as Pokémon aren’t representative of things that are perfect, but instead carry a similar aesthetic sense with the free-flowing nature of wabi-sabi and the drama of kabuki.

"Godzilla of Reminiscence” by Hiromine Nakamura

On the other hand, Hiromine Nakamura has found that the crests and helmets worn by samurai from the Sengoku and Edo eras share a fundamental connection with modern branded merchandise. His art conceptualizes what would happen if an Edo-period doll maker encountered modern fashion culture. Items such as baseball caps and basketball shoes with logos and designs established status as fashion icons by blending Hip Hop cultures. Within this concept, Nakamura understands the “prayers” and “aspirations” of modern people, and attempts to create a universal work entitled “Immortal Flow” by lightly combining the Japanese view of life and death.

Takahiro Koga

Hiromine Nakamura


In the week leading up to the exhibition’s opening in New York, B-OWND will participate in SCOPE MIAMI BEACH 2023 for the first time ever. There, B-OWND will showcase and sell approximately 120 pieces of Takahiro Koga's works, while visitors can also explore a variety of his iconic series, including the enormous "NEO MANEKINEKO" created specifically for this exhibition. As part of the festival, there will be a live performance by the koto (Japanese harp) × EDM performance group TRiECHOES and B-OWND will also host a collaboration with TeaRoom, hosting a “NEO WABI-SABI” tea ceremony using Koga's tea services. Both allow B-OWND to provide a new Japanese cultural experience engaging visual, auditory, and gustatory senses.

About B-OWND:
B-OWND is an online market and art gallery located in Tokyo that sells crafts that represent the highest level of art that expresses Japanese beauty. By carefully introducing artists and their works, B-OWND aims to become a platform that connects artists and buyers. In addition, at B-OWND, you can purchase works that come with a blockchain-based digital work certificate. The fact of purchasing a work is semi-permanently recorded, and the individual's aesthetic sense is etched into the history of arts and crafts.
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About NowHere:
NowHere is a multipurpose hub for New York City-based Japanese creators from across all disciplines. We exist to help emerging talent explore their maximum potential by providing them with the means to showcase their practice and expand their network.
Just like the artists we serve, we emigrated to New York because this city is endlessly inspiring. By facilitating new art from a Japanese perspective, we hope to offer inspiration back to New York in turn. Our mission is accomplished anew each time we are able to excite New York audiences with fresh energy and points of view.
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For more information:
David Elkin, david@girlieaction.com
Grant Pavol, grant@girlieaction.com