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IKU HARADA

  • 이쿠 하라다 1번 이미지
Introduction of Artist
For 15 years, Iku Harada has woven the fabric of a virtual world using 3D modeling software. She has etched the nature of her birthplace, where she came into the world and grew, onto the canvas of virtual space. The artist, who crafts fragments of memory into maps, has, in a role of God within this world, meticulously created their own realm, 'Inner Space'. It means her utopia, a virtual world rooted in reality.
The concept of 'Inner Space' takes on the form of an island floating upon the sea, where the sea is colored in blue and the land is represented as a green plane symbolizing meadows. Atop this canvas, sculptures of nature, homes, landmark architectures, and more find their places. Furthermore, she has breathed life into the virtual realm by implementing light and shadow, infusing it with vitality. The artist, who once wandered through her computer-generated world of imagination, has transformed the landscapes within into two-dimensional paintings and three-dimensional sculptures, manifesting them into reality. Harada is engaged in a creative endeavor where computer-generated virtual space and the physical world overlap and intertwine. Her artworks are not only an attempt to materialize virtual reality spaces but also a reflection of spatial motifs from the real world into the virtual realm, ultimately enabling viewers to traverse between both worlds. Her artworks, where multiple dimensions of space overlap, resonate with us who spend a significant amount of time in virtual spaces, evoking empathy.
As an artist who spent her formative years in the 1990s, she is intimately familiar with the virtual worlds generated by programs like Polygon and represented in games like PlayStation. Emerging from a tranquil hamlet in Japan, the artist's formative years unfolded in Amagata. Upon enrolling in Tokyo University of the Arts, the artist encountered the exceptional prowess of their fellow students. This realization prompted them to infuse distinctiveness into her own artworks. Harada establishes three criteria: the pursuit of endeavors never before undertaken, the creation of works with enduring relevance, and the cultivation of personal growth. As an artist contemplating the essence of originality, she has been expanding her own world by creating and continuously updating a virtual realm 'Inner Space.'
Harada's painting technique involves simplifying forms into lines and surfaces using polygons, while sensually expressing distinctive textures and a rich palette of colors. The simplicity grounded in reality serves to emphasize the artist's intention, highlighting that it is indeed a creation of the artist rather than a representation of reality.
Iku Harada's recent notable artwork series centers around the 'City Project,' which highlights the distinct characteristics of various cities. Incorporating symbolic elements of cities such as Singapore, Tokyo, and Seoul, the artist creates artworks that encapsulate their essence. Contemplating Singapore, the artist designs geometric window frames evoking Peranakan and Islamic cultures, while portraying the dual facets of the city where green spaces coexist with densely packed structures. Such endeavors serve as a means for the unfamiliar foreign artist to connect with the locals, offering a pathway to engage with the community. In the upcoming exhibition at LaLuna, a new series titled 'Another Seoul' unveils the artist's perspective on the cityscape of Seoul. 'Another Seoul' strategically positions iconic structures like Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Tower, and Lotte Tower, while the green ground area is adorned with patterns reminiscent of traditional Korean patchwork known as 'Bojagi’, symbolizing the country's culture.
Iku Harada graduated from Tokyo Zokei University and obtained an MFA degree from the Graduate School. Beginning with a solo exhibition at Gallery Trinity in 2010, Harada has presented over ten solo exhibitions at renowned galleries in Japan such as Roppongi White Cube Gallery, Art Front Gallery, and Harajuku B1 Gallery. She has also participated in numerous group exhibitions held in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and other locations. Furthermore, the artist has gained recognition from international collectors by participating in art fairs such as Taipei Dangdai and KIAF in Korea. Beyond exhibition spaces, she actively engages with audiences. Her ‘Inner Space' video was showcased at Shibuya Station Media Arcade, where it encountered diverse spectators. Her artworks were also exhibited at the renowned Tokyo bookstore, Tsutaya. This exhibition at LaLuna marks her second solo exhibition in Korea.
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