A Study of Sculptural Expression through Contemporary Kanshitsu Technique

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25770066
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Art at large
• Research Institution: Tama Art University
• Principal Investigator: Emura Tadahiko 多摩美術大学, 大学院美術研究科, 助手 (50648516)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 芸術表現 / 彫刻 / 乾漆 / 新海竹蔵 / 山本豊市

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this research, I have been searching for new sculptural expression used by Kanshitsu technique which is a traditional way of creating statues, from a contemporary viewpoint of pursuing the possibility of various three dimensional expressions. In order to confirm Kanshitsu expressions of modern sculpture in Japan, I conducted an onsite survey of sculptures by Takezou Shinkai and Toyoichi Yamamoto. I found the feature that the sculptors had modeled using Sabi-urushi (Urushi paste mixed with muddy polishing powder; this is usually used for the foundation of Urushi bowls) and had connected the material to sculptural expression at the completed stage. I discovered that they use Urushi as the statue’s body itself, not as a surface decoration. As a result, in my practical study, I could suggest a unique sculptural expression by using Kanshitsu with the ambivalent disposition of massiveness and light, something which has not been used in past sculptural expression.

Free Research Field

人文学