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jacob hashimoto


jacob hashimoto is one of the most interesting young
activists in the contemporary art scene.
what he does with paper creates real magic -
a ravishing cascade of cloud white paper shapes flowing
from ceiling to floor like a waterfall frozen by winters icy breath.
viewing the piece fills you with a deep and profound stillness.

jacob hashimoto is perhaps best-known for his installations
in which he creates large-scale sculptural forms out of
thousands of 'kites'.
drawing on the tradition of kite making, he creates each
of the kites by hand, using bamboo rods, string,
and offset prints.
for all of their exquisite lightness and ethereality,
the sculptures are expression of air, light, and space.

hashimoto's craftsman-like activity of making the elements
by hand is central in his works.
the pieces embody the meditative rhythm of repetitive
esecution (the tying and knotting involved in their making).

the use of japanese paper gives his work a very strong
connection to the natural world.
for indeed the paper is born from the bark of a living plant,
cleansed in the swiftly rinning waters of a winter river,
and finally, in sheet form, dried by wind and sun on boards
hewn from forest wood...

hashimoto is now involved in works with a greater complexity
at the planning stage. he uses new technologies, such as
computerised three-dimensional drawing.
we'll stay tuned to the results.