Chapter 1: 212 Fed-High by Kishi Ui

January 19th – February 9th, 2018




Click here for full exhibition.

Statement

Court Tree Gallery proudly presents the work of Japanese avant-garde artist Kishi Ui. Ui received critical acclaim in Japan before moving to America in the mid 70's. The full exhibit will be a three-part series entitled Story of 2½. This is his first solo exhibition since 1977.

Press Release


As a moving belt-like line finds one direction, a shape floats up like a cell division. It reveals its body and another direction is initiated. The images flow from the simple form of the numeral 2. To the Westerner, words and images remain visually and physically neutral. For the Asian, words are images. Thus, Mr. Ui creates from one image a greater and more profound image through his art. "For me," he says, "signs like 2 or 7 demonstrate embodiment and 3 or 5 are seductive. They actually exist as wind exists. They can also be accepted as routine, everyday objects, like the plastics I often use."

Derived from these numbers, the shapes of lines and strings flow and float up and reveal their bodies as bananas, slippers, chairs and others, and these shapes can develop into sets such as two and a half. This is the inspiration behind works such as "2 and a half bananas after 2 and a half weeks."

Two and a half is an especially important concept for Mr. Ui because it exists between 2 and 3 and is half of 5. The number 2 symbolizes Dualism and Yin and Yang method. The Holy Trinity and thesis-antithesis-synthesis cycle are represented by the number 3. Currently, Mr. Ui has been developing a series based on the concept of "half of 5."

Mr. Ui moved to the United States in 1977 in order to come face to face with the world's most powerful and expressive works. Collectively, through his study and experience, Mr. Ui believes his method of layering texture leads the viewer into a sensation of touching the wind or seeing sunlight filter through trees. In college, the study of aesthetics and the literary arts introduced him to Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty and Derrida. These philosophers urged him to think intuitively, then more sensuously, and influenced how he approached the philosophy of his homeland: Zen and Nishida Kitaro. Also, his primary education included a strong emphasis on Catholicism.

Since the content of Mr. Ui's works explore the concept of symbiotic and mutual relationships, it is only natural that this message extends to the works' relationship with viewers as well. They allow the viewer to explore these relationships and then encourage a response. He emphasizes this process throughout the entire creative process and says that "the idea of symbiotic relationships is everything."

Location

371 Court Street, 2nd FloorBrooklyn, NY, US

For available works from this exhibiton please email. ︎









Court Tree Collective was established in 2013 by a group of artists and creatives with the primary purpose of representing and supporting the work of emerging and established contemporary artists. Since its opening Court Tree Collective has been a staple to south Brooklyn’s emerging art scene and in a short time has exhibited a number of important exhibitions. In addition they have curated a number of exhibitions at satellite locations throughout the states and abroad.

We are a family-run art gallery specializing in emerging artists to offer a unique and intimate experience for art enthusiasts. Court Tree Collective showcases outsider art, which often defies traditional artistic conventions, alongside works by up-and-coming artists to add depth and diversity to the gallery's offerings. Visitors can expect to encounter raw, authentic expressions of creativity that challenge perceptions and ignite curiosity. By nurturing rising talent and championing unconventional voices, the gallery plays a vital role in fostering a vibrant and inclusive art community.

Our gallery is curated by artists for artists, which fosters a dynamic and supportive environment where creative visionaries can thrive. With firsthand understanding of the artistic process, the curators can showcase works that resonate deeply with both artists and audiences. This curated space celebrates diversity, innovation, and experimentation; it provides a platform for emerging and established artists to connect, collaborate, and showcase their talents. By upholding a community-driven approach to curation, the gallery becomes a vibrant hub for inspiration, dialogue, and artistic exchange.︎

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Location

Industry City
51 35th Street,
BLD #5
2nd FL, Suite B236
Brooklyn, NY 11232


Mailing Address

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Contact
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917.225.9253








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Sun 12 - 5pm
*and by appointment



The 36 St subway station {D, N, R, trains} is the nearest one to Industry City in Brooklyn



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