Before we fall again
15.01.2016 - 13.05.2016
Opening: 06.07.2018,
About exhibition
Before We Fall Again is an exhibition of work I selected to create the journey of one's 'fall' and path to recovery: metaphorical, physical and psychological recovery and to the appreciation of being able to live a life, without being blinded by fear, grief or anxiety. My work is often semi-autobiographical, triggered by my personal history and experiences, and frequently packed with symbols from different parts of the world, creating a new dialogue in a new context, as if my work resembles my life itself: being born in Japan and ending up spending almost half of my life in the UK. I sometimes think my practice is akin to writing. Having studied Creative Writing in Tokyo, some of my work looks like flattened out pages of a book. Compressed on a flat surface, one can start reading from anywhere and end anywhere they like. Hugely inspired by French Philosopher Delueze's coinage 'Rhizome': a thinking model resembles a root of a tree, no beginning, no end point. I aim to create an artwork which breaks the boundaries and dismantles the assemblages of preconception, hoping to give new existence or new identity to already existing ideas. My work does not always have a hopeful tone, or rather, my work depicts a long journey to reach the place at the end of the long tunnel, where the light shines and one can appreciate what s/he is surrounded with. This is my first exhibition to focus on the hope beyond the long and winding path. We fall again and again, but we always climb back up. We probably forget we have ever fallen. This exhibition is dedicated to my uncle Kunimi Terui who passed away in October, 2015, who is very much missed on this side of the tunnel. Before I fall again, I would like to say how much hope you have given me. I will never forget that.From the Artist
"Everybody falls sometimes. In the maze which life itself created, we all lose our way and eventually fall into the abyss patiently waiting to swallow us beneath our feet. It is inevitable. We cannot fight it, we should let ourselves fall. There is nothing we can do. In the powerlessness we feel, we become alone. It is the place where no voice is heard, none spoken. The solitude is the only friend we have. In the past couple of years, I have been struggling in this dark labyrinth. I have lost the light at the end of the tunnel; in the darkness, I was not even sure if I was walking towards the right way out or I was just walking around in circles perpetually. Anxiety and regret come and pay a visit, my mind starts spinning, repetitious flashbacks of memories occur. Every time I come out from the tunnel, now blinded by the light, all I feel is that I have not appreciated life enough. People around me, people who care about me, who seem to disappear as soon as the abyss opens her black mouth to swallow me, on the other side of the tunnel under the shining light, I suddenly get this realisation that they have always been there for me. But life goes on, I will probably fall again and again, without ever thanking them for being there for me. So this time around, before I fall again, let me just tell you that I love you."
Takayuki Hara
Takayuki Hara
About the exhibition
Before We Fall Again is an exhibition of work I selected to create the journey of one's 'fall' and path to recovery: metaphorical, physical and psychological recovery and to the appreciation of being able to live a life, without being blinded by fear, grief or anxiety. My work is often semi-autobiographical, triggered by my personal history and experiences, and frequently packed with symbols from different parts of the world, creating a new dialogue in a new context, as if my work resembles my life itself: being born in Japan and ending up spending almost half of my life in the UK. I sometimes think my practice is akin to writing. Having studied Creative Writing in Tokyo, some of my work looks like flattened out pages of a book. Compressed on a flat surface, one can start reading from anywhere and end anywhere they like. Hugely inspired by French Philosopher Delueze's coinage 'Rhizome': a thinking model resembles a root of a tree, no beginning, no end point. I aim to create an artwork which breaks the boundaries and dismantles the assemblages of preconception, hoping to give new existence or new identity to already existing ideas. My work does not always have a hopeful tone, or rather, my work depicts a long journey to reach the place at the end of the long tunnel, where the light shines and one can appreciate what s/he is surrounded with. This is my first exhibition to focus on the hope beyond the long and winding path. We fall again and again, but we always climb back up. We probably forget we have ever fallen. This exhibition is dedicated to my uncle Kunimi Terui who passed away in October, 2015, who is very much missed on this side of the tunnel. Before I fall again, I would like to say how much hope you have given me. I will never forget that.
