Curated in conjunction with Joshua Mack.
With the gracious cooperation of Hiroko Kudo and the Estate of the Artist.
“Kudo’s work is complex in its symbolic meaning, is extremely metaphorical, and bears little relationship to traditional agitprop of social realist art.” – Mike Kelley, 2008
Andrea Rosen is proud to present the gallery’s third exhibition exploring the work and ideas of Tetsumi Kudo (1935-1990). Building on past shows that surveyed Kudo’s career and contextualized it vis-á-vis contemporaries like Paul Thek, Hannah Wilke, and Alina Szapocznikow, the current presentation will examine the artist’s development in the 1970s and ‘80s, highlighting the spiritual and symbolic currents to which Mike Kelley (quoted above) identified in an essay for Kudo’s 2008 retrospective at the Walker Art Center. The exhibition at Andrea Rosen Gallery brings together a survey of approximately eight string works and over twenty cages, spanning from 1966-1988.
Born in Osaka in 1935, Tetsumi Kudo was essential to the development of “anti-art” avant-garde art in Tokyo in the late 50s and early 60s that used store bought objects and found material in order to shock and revolt the status quo and to make art that would be defined by experience rather than medium, author, or commercial value.
Equally important to developments in Europe, Kudo settled in Paris in 1962 and quickly became associated with artists like Arman and Daniel Spoerri and critics such as Pierre Restany and Alain Jouffroy. Through performances (one attended by legendary gallerist Ileana Sonnabend), films, texts, and most importantly sculpture incorporating household objects, he sought to subvert the separation between art and lived experience and to interrogate mass consumerism and the rise of technology. In 1965 he wrote that religion and tradition had become commodities like “stockings, ice-cream, and instant coffee”. He believed that World War II and the rise of the market economy had rendered European Humanism, with its emphasis on the individual over the social, invalid.
In contrast, he suggested that pollution, technology, and humanity had become a symbiotic whole in which each affected the other in what had become intertwined “new ecology.” Kudo conceived of his work as models or maquettes of these realities. His inclusion of electronic circuitry, store-bought kitchen items, plastic dolls, and vacuum tubes, among other industrial produced materials renders his pieces as outtakes or parts of contemporary ecology.
Among the most sustained and complex expression of his ideas were the works he realized using birdcages, a series he began in 1965 and concluded in 1981. In these, body parts meld with transistors and circuit boards sprout plastic flowers. Votre portait (1974), which includes a face of the French Romanian poet, Eugène Ionesco, who symbolized European egotism for Kudo, suggests the impotence of anthropocentric culture in the face of technology, pollution, and consumerism, while also questioning how artists can respond to this helplessness.
This quandary engendered a series of cages titled Portrait d’artist dans la crise (Portrait of the artist in the crisis) that signals a more introspective turn in Kudo’s work. In the late 1970s, during a period of ill health, Kudo began including lengths of colored string and reams of magnetic tape in his works to suggest the energy of thoughts, memory, and life moving within and between the mind, the body, and the animate world. By 1981, he had ceased using figurative elements, instead affixing yarn and thread to papier mâché-like cylinders and cones. Kudo referred to these as trou noir or black holes and also suggested that several reflected the balance of centrifugal and centripetal forces, which he believed unified Japan, not in social terms, but in a pantheistic sense.
The exhibition aims to explore this underlying spirituality and holistic thinking in all of Kudo’s work.
Tetsumi Kudo work has been widely recognized since the 1960s, exhibiting throughout Europe and Japan. His work can be found in the collections of Centre Georges Pompidou; Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris; Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Guggenheim Museum; Walker Art Center; Stedelijk Museum; the Pinault Collection; Aomori Museum of Art; National Museum of Art, Osaka; National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo; among others. His work is the subject of a large scale retrospective this Fall at the Fridericianum in Kassel, Germany (2016). Other significant exhibitions include: a retrospective in 2013 (Osaka Museum, Aomori Museum, and National Museum of Art, Tokyo); Walker Art Center (2008), La Maison Rouge, Paris (2007), The National Museum of Art Osaka (1994), the Van Reekum Museum, Apeldoorn and the Stedelijk Museum (1991).
Text by Joshua Mack
Votre portrait
1974
plastic, cotton, twigs, artificial soil, paint, metal, circuit board, glass light bulbs, meter
14 x 26 x 15 1/2 inches
(35.5 x 66 x 38.75 cm)
ARG# KT1974-006
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Souvenir < La Mue >
1966
painted cage, wood, plastic, cotton, paint, adhesive, pills
9 3/4 x 11 1/2 x 6 inches
(24.8 x 29.2 x 15.2 cm)
ARG# KT1966-001
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
For Your Living Room -- For Nostalgic Purpose
1966
metal cage, cotton, plastic, polyester, resin, paint, pills
16 1/2 x 19 x 11 3/8 inches
(41.9 x 48.3 x 28.9 cm)
ARG# KT1966-003
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Coelacanth
1970
painted cage, artificial soil, cotton, plastic, polyester, resin, pills
10 1/4 x 12 1/4 x 6 inches
(26 x 31.1 x 15.2 cm)
ARG# KT1970-025
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Cultivation
1972
painted cage, wood, plastic, cotton, paint, snail shells, spray paint, artificial soil, hair, resin, thermometer
11 x 12 3/4 x 7 3/4 inches
(27.9 x 32.4 x 19.7 cm)
ARG# KT1972-006
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Votre Portrait
1971-1972
painted cage, artificial soil, wax flower, cotton, plastic, polyester, resin, electrical antennae
20 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches
(52 x 34 x 19 cm)
ARG# KT1972-020
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Prehistoric Monster in the Cage and People Who Are Looking at it
1971
painted cage, cotton, plastic, polyester, resin, wood, wire
19 3/4 x 11 7/8 diam inches
(50 x 30 diam cm)
ARG# KT1971-027
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
La Vie confortable, cinq pièces, calme chauffage central, électro regulateur, appareil gymnastique, plein soleil, petit jardin avec fleurs et pollution, taxes, TVA, et tout compris
1972-1973
painted cage, artificial soil, wax flowers, cotton, plastic, polyester, resin, circuitry, Astroturf, thermometer, light bulb
17 x 19 x 14 inches
(43.25 x 48.325 x 35.625 cm)
ARG# KT1972-022
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Votre portrait
1974
plastic, cotton, twigs, artificial soil, paint, metal, circuit board, glass light bulbs, meter
14 x 26 x 15 1/2 inches
(35.5 x 66 x 38.75 cm)
ARG# KT1974-006
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Bonheur
1974
painted cage, artificial soil, plastic flowers, cotton, plastic, polyester, resin, string, cigarettes, thermometer, Aspro tablets, circuit board
21 x 11 x 14 inches
(41.5 x 18 x 27 cm)
ARG# KT1974-007
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Untitled
c. 1975
painted wire, wood, plastic, cotton, paint, adhesive
3 3/4 x 4 1/4 x 2 7/8 inches
(9.5 x 10.825 x 7.5 cm)
ARG# KT1975-007
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Untitled
1975
painted wire, plastic flower, resin
4 1/2 x 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches
(11 x 7 x 7 cm)
ARG# KT1975-009
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Wall Cage
1976
plastic, paint, wood, iron, fly-fishing lure
19 1/4 x 19 1/4 x 3 1/4 inches
(49 x 49 x 8.5 cm)
ARG# KT1976-018
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Portrait de l'artiste
1976
painted cage, artificial soil, cotton, plastic, polyester, resin, string
15 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 9 1/4 inches
(39.5 x 36.825 x 23.5 cm)
ARG# KT1976-013
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Portrait of Artist, Buddha in Paris (Méditation entre futur programmé et mémoire enregistrée)
1976
painted cage, cotton, plastic, polyester, resin, artificial bird with feathers, yarn, sand, filament, wood
16 1/2 x 13 1/4 x 8 inches
(41.9 x 33.7 x 20.3 cm)
ARG# KT1976-044
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Meditation Between Memory and Future
1978
painted cage, artificial soil, wax flowers, cotton, plastic, polyester, resin, thread, sand, yarn, wood, fly-fishing feather lure, thread
16 1/2 x 19 1/4 x 9 1/2 inches
(42 x 49 x 24 cm)
ARG# KT1978-005
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Portrait D'Artiste dans la Crise
1977
painted cage, woolen yarn, cotton, plastic, polyester, resin, string
34 x 16 x 9 inches
(86.5 x 40.5 x 23 cm)
ARG# KT1977-002
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Portrait of Artist in the Crisis
1978
painted cage, woolen yarn, temperature gauge, knitting needles, wood
11 5/8 x 18 x 8 3/4 inches
(30 x 45.5 x 22 cm)
ARG# KT1978-009
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Meditation in the Endlesstape of Future <-> Past
1979
painted cage, plastic, polyester, resin, string
13 x 7 1/2 x 10 5/8 inches
(33 x 19 x 27 cm)
ARG# KT1979-008
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Reteindre l'hérédité chromosomique par le pétrole et la radioactivité
1979
painted cage, artificial soil, plastic flower, cotton, plastic, polyester, resin, string
19 x 12 x 8 inches
(48.25 x 30.5 x 20.25 cm)
ARG# KT1979-024
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Paradise, Programmed and Saved (Paradis, Programmé et Enregistré)
1980
painted cage, artificial soil, artificial flower, cotton, plastic, polyester, resin, thread
15 3/4 x 11 1/2 x 11 3/4 inches
(40 x 28.625 x 29.8 cm)
ARG# KT1980-003
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Untitled
1978
painted cage, cotton, plastic, polyester, artificial soil, toy earthworm
3 x 4 x 3 1/4 inches
(7.6 x 10.2 x 8.3 cm)
ARG# KT1978-001
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Paradise
1980
painted cage, electronic circuit, plastic flower, plastic, metal coins, resin
30 3/4 x 14 x 8 inches
(78 x 36 x 20.25 cm)
ARG# KT1980-016
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Autour du trou noir B
1982
wood, string, adhesive, metal
18 7/8 diam x 3 inches
(48 x 7.625 cm)
ARG# KT1982-013
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Sur la structure du système japonais - la trou noir sacré
1983
wood, string, adhesive, acrylic paint, artificial soil
4 1/2 x 20 diam inches
(11.4 x 50.8 cm)
ARG# KT1983-004
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
On the Structure of the Japanese System - The Black Hole (Sur La Structure du System Japonais - Le Trou Noir)
1982
Wood, string, thread, resin, adhesive, paint
26 x 15 1/2 diam inches
(66 x 39.4 cm)
ARG# KT1982-001
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Valsez avec le trou noir!
1982
wood, string, plastic, adhesive
16 x 13 1/2 diam inches
(40.625 x 34.5 diam cm)
ARG# KT1982-012
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Chromosomes and Souls
1986
string, adhesive
25 5/8 x 3 diam. inches
(65 x 6 cm)
ARG# KT1986-006
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
To Kill is to Let Live (B)
1987
kite, wood, thread, adhesive
163 x 33 x 7 inches
(414 x 83.825 x 17.825 cm)
ARG# KT1987-005
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo
Sous le ciel de Yanaka court spermatozoïdes Jomon B
1987
rope, adhesive
36 5/8 x 12 1/4 x 3 1/4 inches
(93 x 31 x 8 cm)
ARG# KT1987-002
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Estate of Tetsumi Kudo, Hiroko Kudo