Kumite ni Tsugite by Fumiko Gotô
Published: 31.07.2020
Hannah Gallery
- Mail:
- hannahgallery
klimt02.net
- Phone:
- + 34 933687235
- Management:
- Amador Bertomeu, Leo Caballero
Kumite ni Tsugite is the first solo show of Fumiko Gotô at Hannah Gallery. The artist is presenting 15 delicate brooches as a result of her research in the art of joining elements by the carpenters trained to construct shrines and temples. Her selection of materials are carved and polished substances reminiscent of traditional Japanese materials, such as black buffalo horn, mammoth ivory, and especially for this series, and finally amber for most pieces as the “foreign” element.
Artist list
Fumiko Gotô
In 2018 we discovered some of the works of Fumiko Gotô, we didn't know the artist by then but we knew it was a very special work. As soon as possible we contacted her to know more work and contrast who was behind those pieces. Once we saw more works, our first impression was confirmed. So far a short career as a jewelry artist, but with a feeling for the subject that will be very consistent. No doubts at all: we arranged a meeting at the gallery to talk with her. At this first meeting, we discussed the possibility to present a special exhibition project in the gallery.
Soon after, Fumiko presented us with the draft of a very interesting project that took shape after one year of intense work. Tradition, Japanese culture, high skilled crafts, amber as a foreign element, architecture, buffalo horn, design, mammoth teeth, sensuality, minimalism... every time we look at the works we discover new elements, new details, from the piece to the packaging, Fumiko looks for the perfect and final artwork, independent and also part of the whole.
Fumiko Gotô has over thirty years of practice in architecture, she has worked at different scales and with various typologies. Recently she has taken on a new scale and genre in creating jewellery, inspired by her native Japanese background.
Kumite ni Tsugite in the artist's words:
From ancient times in Japan, Miyadaiku - carpenters specially trained to construct shrines and temples - practiced a wood joining method called Kumite and Tsugite, without the use of any metal parts such as nails or bolts to lengthen or to connect timbers. The art of this joinery was well established by the Edo‐Period (1603 - 1868) and it is still practiced today to build sacred edifices throughout Japan.
The joining elements of Kumite and Tsugite are directly cut and shaped in the wood of the piece itself and inserted like complex puzzles to connect timbers. Tsugite is mainly used to extend a length horizontally and Kumite is for a vertical joint.
Occasionally joints are made using an additional independent element, also cut out of wood, and inserted to secure joints permanently.
This extra element made from another piece of wood - one may call this a “foreign” or “the third” element connecting timbers together - has inspired me to create works based on this concept of a “foreign body”. Instead of this ‘foreign element” I have substituted motifs that I often apply and refer to in my creative process, such as Mayu (cocoon), Hyôtan (calabash), or Soramame (fava bean). These motifs are widely cherished and used in traditional Japanese textiles, utensils, and furniture to name a few.
As materials for Kumite ni Tsugite, I have chosen to carve and polish substances reminiscent of traditional Japanese materials, such as black buffalo horn, which recalls black lacquer tableware; mammoth ivory, preciously preserved over 10,000 years in Siberian permafrost, as a substitute for now protected ivory which was widely used for Netsuke carvings. Especially for this series, I have chosen amber for most pieces as the “foreign” element; its warm‐yellow colour evoking the chromatic presence of protected tortoise shells, which were extensively used for hair ornaments called Kanzashi in the past.
The artistic techniques of Kumite and Tsugite began in the 7th century in Japan and now, like many other traditional handcrafts, face the question of its survival.
With over 30 years of experience as a practicing architect and designer, it is very natural that I should be interested in this traditional craft which inspired me to create this work, and as well I hope this series of my jewellery raises an awareness of the presence of this highly sophisticated art‐Joinery in the art‐jewellery genre.
Fumiko Gotô, September 2020
- The Third Element by Ulrich Horndash. A vision of the Kumite Ni Tsugite works
- An interview with Fumiko Gotô by klimt02
Soon after, Fumiko presented us with the draft of a very interesting project that took shape after one year of intense work. Tradition, Japanese culture, high skilled crafts, amber as a foreign element, architecture, buffalo horn, design, mammoth teeth, sensuality, minimalism... every time we look at the works we discover new elements, new details, from the piece to the packaging, Fumiko looks for the perfect and final artwork, independent and also part of the whole.
Fumiko Gotô has over thirty years of practice in architecture, she has worked at different scales and with various typologies. Recently she has taken on a new scale and genre in creating jewellery, inspired by her native Japanese background.
Kumite ni Tsugite in the artist's words:
From ancient times in Japan, Miyadaiku - carpenters specially trained to construct shrines and temples - practiced a wood joining method called Kumite and Tsugite, without the use of any metal parts such as nails or bolts to lengthen or to connect timbers. The art of this joinery was well established by the Edo‐Period (1603 - 1868) and it is still practiced today to build sacred edifices throughout Japan.
The joining elements of Kumite and Tsugite are directly cut and shaped in the wood of the piece itself and inserted like complex puzzles to connect timbers. Tsugite is mainly used to extend a length horizontally and Kumite is for a vertical joint.
Occasionally joints are made using an additional independent element, also cut out of wood, and inserted to secure joints permanently.
This extra element made from another piece of wood - one may call this a “foreign” or “the third” element connecting timbers together - has inspired me to create works based on this concept of a “foreign body”. Instead of this ‘foreign element” I have substituted motifs that I often apply and refer to in my creative process, such as Mayu (cocoon), Hyôtan (calabash), or Soramame (fava bean). These motifs are widely cherished and used in traditional Japanese textiles, utensils, and furniture to name a few.
As materials for Kumite ni Tsugite, I have chosen to carve and polish substances reminiscent of traditional Japanese materials, such as black buffalo horn, which recalls black lacquer tableware; mammoth ivory, preciously preserved over 10,000 years in Siberian permafrost, as a substitute for now protected ivory which was widely used for Netsuke carvings. Especially for this series, I have chosen amber for most pieces as the “foreign” element; its warm‐yellow colour evoking the chromatic presence of protected tortoise shells, which were extensively used for hair ornaments called Kanzashi in the past.
The artistic techniques of Kumite and Tsugite began in the 7th century in Japan and now, like many other traditional handcrafts, face the question of its survival.
With over 30 years of experience as a practicing architect and designer, it is very natural that I should be interested in this traditional craft which inspired me to create this work, and as well I hope this series of my jewellery raises an awareness of the presence of this highly sophisticated art‐Joinery in the art‐jewellery genre.
Fumiko Gotô, September 2020
- The Third Element by Ulrich Horndash. A vision of the Kumite Ni Tsugite works
- An interview with Fumiko Gotô by klimt02
Brooch: Tsugite ni Mayu heri, 2020
Mammoth ivory, buffalo horn, pressed amber, silver 0.925
5.8 x 2.2 x 1.9 cm
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: Tsugite ni Mayu yoko, 2020
Mammoth ivory, buffalo horn, pressed amber, silver 0.925
4.3 x 3.5 x 1.6 cm
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: Tsugite ni Kaku, 2020
Mammoth ivory, buffalo horn pressed amber, silver 0.925
4.4 x 3.5 x 1.7 cm
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: Tsugite ni Soramame, 2020
Mammoth ivory, buffalo horn pressed amber, silver 0.925
5.4 x 3 x 1.9 cm
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: Kumite ni Ten, 2020
Mammoth ivory, buffalo horn, silver 0.925
4.6 x 3.4 x 1.7 cm
Part of: Private Collection
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: Kumite ni Ten Ten, 2020
Mammoth ivory, buffalo horn, silver 0.925
4.3 x 3.3 x 1.5 cm
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: Tsugite ni Sen yoko, 2020
Mammoth ivory, buffalo horn pressed amber, silver 0.925
5.6 x 3 x 1.9 cm
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: Tsugite ni Mayu tate, 2020
Mammoth ivory, buffalo horn pressed amber, silver 0.925
5.7 x 3.2 x 1.7 cm
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: Kumite ni Mayu, 2020
Mammoth ivory, buffalo horn, silver 0.925
6 x 2.4 x 1.5 cm
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: Tsugite ni Sen naname, 2020
Mammoth ivory, buffalo horn pressed amber, silver 0.925
4.9 x 3 x 1.7 cm
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: Tsugite ni Ari, 2020
Mammoth ivory, buffalo horn pressed amber, silver 0.925
5.6 x 2.9 x 1.7 cm
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: Kumite ni Sen tate, 2020
Mammoth ivory, buffalo horn, silver 0.925
3.9 x 3.4 x 1.7 cm
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: Tsugite ni Mayu yoko dai, 2020
Mammoth ivory, buffalo horn pressed amber, silver 0.925
3.9 x 3.6 x 1.8 cm
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: Tsugite ni Sen yoko kuro, 2020
Buffalo horn, silver 0.925
6 x 2.7 x 1.6 cm
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: Tsugite ni Yabane, 2020
Mammoth ivory, buffalo horn pressed amber, silver 0.925
4.1 x 3.5 x 1.9 cm
From series: Kumite ni Tsugite
Unique piece
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Tsugite ni Mayu: Variations with the inlays of "Mayu", made of pressed amber
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Hannah Gallery
- Mail:
- hannahgalleryklimt02.net
- Phone:
- + 34 933687235
- Management:
- Amador Bertomeu, Leo Caballero
newsletter
Get the latest information about the international Jewellery Scene sent directly to your mailbox every week. View previous issues
-
Con-tacto. Centro de Diseño, Cine y Televisión. Degree Show 2020
24May2021 - 21Jun2021
Centro de Diseño, Cine y Televisión
Mexico City, Mexico -
Simply Brilliant. Artist Jewelers of the 1960s and 1970s
27Mar2021 - 27Jun2021
Pforzheim Jewellery Museum
Pforzheim, Germany -
Keramiek Triënnale 2021
07Mar2021 - 30May2021
CODA Museum
Apeldoorn, Netherlands -
Masterpieces in Miniature. Treasures from the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection
05Mar2021 - 15Aug2021
DIVA. Antwerp Home of Diamonds
Antwerp, Belgium -
Poetic Ceramics by Judith Bloedjes
28Feb2021 - 20Jun2021
CODA Museum
Apeldoorn, Netherlands -
Invisible Thread
01Feb2021 - 27Feb2021
Bayerischer Kunstgewerbeverein
Munich, Germany -
Freaks, Skulls and a Mad Family
27Jan2021 - 20Feb2021
Platina
Stockholm, Sweden -
Preziosa Young 2020 in Barcelona
13Jan2021 - 03Feb2021
Hannah Gallery
Barcelona, Spain -
Like Silk
12Jan2021 - 12Feb2021
EASD València
Valencia, Spain -
HomeWork by Melanie Bilenker
08Jan2021 - 11Feb2021
Sienna Patti
Lenox, United States -
An Octopus's Garden of Silly Delights by Ulvi Haagensen x Morfosis by Ihan Toomik and Andreas Kivisild
06Jan2021 - 27Feb2021
A-Gallery
Tallinn, Estonia -
Fables for the Times. Presentation of Artist in Residence Program Revive in Ten
25Dec2020 - 05Jan2021
MEI-BO Art Museum
Shanghai, China -
Schmuckmelange. Die KunstModeDesign Herbststrasse. Degree Show 2020
21Dec2020 - 31Dec2020
Die KunstModeDesign Herbststrasse. Evening College JewelleryDesign
Vienna, Austria -
The Palace of Shattered Vessels: Light Catchers
19Dec2020 - 31Mar2021
FROOTS & Nogart
Shanghai, China -
See the Big from the Small
19Dec2020 - 03Jan2021
The Closer Gallery
Beijing, China
