Through his research, Kuroda Daisuke finds ghostly presences that linger, forgotten and ignored, in society, and creates video works and installations based on these. In the past few years, he has been researching “sculpture” as a creative platform, and he is developing a highly performative series based on motifs of sculptors and their creative practices from the modern period onwards. Kuroda exhibits the fruits of his half year residency in Tokoname at the former Pottery Factory (Aoki-Seitoujyo), where the kilns that began operating in 1958 still remain.

The voice that is heard at the venue is a recording of Kuroda’s improvisational performance. Through his portrayals of sculptors who once taught at the Tokoname Art Institute (Naito Yozo, Terauchi Shinichi, Kikuchi Chutaro), he attempts to manifest the aesthetics and standards of the concept of “sculpture” that was brought into Japan in during the Meiji era and internalized. The plaster relief that hangs on the wall is a symbol of the forgotten existence of this land, now just a part of the scenery, and on the level above this floor there is an exhibition of clay flutes with scenes of Tokoname, such as brick chimneys and soot-covered sparrows. In the latter part of the exhibition period, there will be an event at INAX MUSEUMS in which a large group of people will blow into flutes to ritually summon the spirit of this place (genius loci). An online meeting among the sculptors portrayed by Kuroda plays on a monitor placed on a nearby desk, summoning up Tokoname̶a city that became the intersection of the ceramics industry and sculpture̶with various images and media. These manifestations inhabiting Kuroda's body bring back to life people and events that had been forgotten in this area, re-telling stories that had been lost in the shadows.

Kuroda’s recent exhibitions include ‘Dokokade? Genbi’ and DOMANI @ Hiroshima ‘Murakami Tomoe + Kuroda Daisuke in Hiroshima Castle Ninomaru’ (2022; Hiroshima, Japan), Laïcité Forestalled, Through the Eyes of Dogeza, Kyoto Art Center (2021; Japan), and Hints of Festivity ,Tokyo Arts and Space Residency (2021, Tokyo, Japan). In addition to creating his own works, Kuroda plans and manages exhibits including Tsushima Art Fantasia (2011 onwards, Nagasaki, Japan) and Hon no kirinuki (A Clipping from a Book), Zuiun-an (2021; Kyoto, Japan).

Selected Works & Awards

2022

‘Dokokade? Genbi’ and DOMANI @ Hiroshima ‘Murakami Tomoe + Kuroda Daisuke in Hiroshima Castle Ninomaru’, Hiroshima, Japan

2021

Laïcité Forestalled, Through the Eyes of Dogeza, Kyoto Art Center, Japan

2021

Hints of Festivity, Tokyo Arts and Space Residency, Japan.

Exhibition

• Installation view at Aichi Triennale 2022
• Photo: ToLoLo studio