motoko dobashi
one of them in the exhibition office, the other one in the kitchen. Depicted
is a landscape whose pivotal motif is a waterfall in a forest gorge. Even if
only one mural can be seen at once, both works show the same landscape,
whose real spatial clearance is occupied by the bathroom located in between.
Thus the image produces an analogy between the pristine nature idyll of the
waterfall as source of life and its pragmatic functional equivalent within
the urban habitat of man.
Besides the description of the topographic situation objects akin to
logos
appear in the picture. As already suggested by the exhibitions title they
may be conceived as ions. In the metaphoric way as used by Dobashi they
are
a hint to the ideational content of nature, that exceeds mere physical
phenomena and the technically measurable. Herein Dobashis concept of nature
is evidenced that likewise is deeply ingrained in japanese cultural
tradition. The exhibitions title also resonates irony towards recent product
trends that by emulation of natural ionising processes promise beneficial
effect. In multiple respects the show broaches the issue of the relationship
of modern western imprinted man to nature, seeking for compensation for
a
sustained loss in the surrogate.
Dobashis manner of depiction makes use of different techniques and
aesthetics that she merges in the image in the sense of a montage.
Characteristic of her work is the accurate equilibration between a
harmonisation of the fragments towards a working pictorial space on one
side
and the letting visible of its being assembled on the other. Thus the
pictures´ effect oscillates between illusionism and its deconstruction.
The works are painterly in comitting themselves to an almost monochrome
yet
subtle colouredness and dealing with colour areas as well as with gestural
ductus. Notwithstanding they are graphical where there can be found silk
screen dots, contrasting linear structures and logo- and symbol-like
constructs that obviously are inspired by the aesthetic of media. Thereby
the artist reveals a real as well as a media imparted world as her sphere
of
experience, both equally entering her body of work. Similarly her motifs
are
addressed that are descended from asian as well as from european culture
and
which in both cultures unfold their own imagery.