KOJI TAKEI
Resonance
WILLIAM TURNER GALLERY BERGAMOT STATION ARTS CENTER 2525 MICHIGAN AVE., E-1 SANTA MONICA, CA 90404 P 310-453-0909 F 310-453-0908 www.williamturnergallery.com
Resonance The William Turner Gallery is pleased to present, Resonance, an exhibition of new sculptures by Los Angeles based artist, Koji Takei. Takei has always been fascinated with the idea of elevating the mundane to the extraordinary. Working with found materials that he deconstructs and transforms, Takei plays with our perceptions of familiar objects, urging us to look at the everyday from an altered perspective. In this particular series, his subjects are musical instruments guitars, ukeleles, cellos, horns - reinvented by the artist’s hand. Expanding upon the early Cubist works of Picasso and Braque, Takei practices the technique of multiperspective, pushing the papiers collés of the Synthetic period even further by making his compositions into high-relief wall sculptures. These fragmented instruments become harmonious once again in Takei’s hands. A passionate admirer of classical music, Takei pays homage to the complexity and sophistication of this genre with these layered works. The artist states: “The musical instruments I use in my art are an embodiment of my love and respect for the world of classical music.” Koji Takei was born in Japan and currently lives and works in Los Angeles. He received his BFA from CalArts and has taught at Otis College of Art and Design, California Institute of the Arts and currently, Art Center College of Design. His works have been exhibited in a number of museums including the Laguna Art Museum and the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.
Cello and Chair 2, wood, metal and stain, 58”x 20”x 8”
Guitar and Chair, wood, metal & stain, 52”x 18”x 6”
Cello and Chair 1, wood, metal and stain, 57”x 20”x 8”
Cello 3, wood, metal and stain, 47”x 18”x 8” (without stand)
Cello 1, wood, metal & stain, 42”x 18”x 10”
Cello 2, wood, metal and stain, 41”x 17”x 7”
Guitar, Trumpet and Vases, wood, metal and stain, 37”x 15”x 6”
Two Guitars 1, wood, metal & stain, 19”x 31”x 6”
Two Guitars 2, wood, metal and stain, 37”x 17”x 7”
Guitar 3, wood, metal and stain, 33”x 12”x 6”
Guitar 4, wood and stain, 25”x 11”x 4”
Guitar 1, wood, metal and stain, 37”x 15”x 6”
Guitar 2, wood, metal and stain, 32”x 11”x 5”
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WIL TUR GAL
LIAM RNER LLERY