ART FAIRS 2025

■ ART SG

FURUTANI KAZUYA SOLO EXHIBITION

Date : 2025.1.17 - 19

Venue :  Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre

Furutani Kazuya / 古谷和也
ART SG

Beyond the Shape

 

Furutani Kazuya is a ceramic artist of Shigaraki in Shiga.

Usually he makes jars, cups, and vases with its perfect shapes. However his works “Yaburetsubo” are all broken; Furutani raises the temperature over 1,300 degree (Celsius) to break the jars. Some are cracked, and others are broken into fragments. So, even Tsubo (Jar) is technically used to contain things, Yaburetsubo can’t be used in this way. But Furutani says “When the jar is broken, there arose a lot of lines and shapes, which are made by cracks and fragments. It is caused by the power of fire, beyond my control, so broken jars are beautiful”. 

His works show us strong impression and beauty beyond shape. And its broken shapes blur the boundary of crafts and art.  

 

Shigaraki Ware with a Rich History

 

Among the various forms of Shigaraki ware, the Shigaraki Jar is a particularly cherished and unique creation that is loved worldwide.

I have expressed the symbol of its history and culture through the form of "Bocken Jar."

I have constructed anagama kilns in which I fire my pieces at 1300°C. The ash from the red pine fuel falls on the pieces, forming a natural glaze and covering their surface with beautiful landscapes. At times, the clay, unable to endure the extreme heat, is torn apart, and the jars are reborn in the kiln as a "new form" that no longer functions as a jar. 

In these moments, the clay and the flames confront each other, and the strength of nature cannot be controlled by human hands, which manifests within the work.

For this series for the exhibitions, I also focused on creating pieces that could endure the flames without easily breaking. Even so, after continuously firing in temperatures exceeding 1350°C, the jar exceeded its limit, and the "evidence of the confrontation between clay and fire" is permanently marked on the pieces.

In this way, a new form of art was born — a "breathtaking beauty" that transcends the traditions of Shigaraki ware.

 

Kazuya Furuya

古き歴史を持つ信楽焼

 

その中で信楽壷は、世界で愛される特別な存在です。

その歴史と文化の象徴を「破れ壷」という形で表現いたしました。

私は、自ら築窯した穴窯を使い1300度の炎の中で作品を焼き上げます。

燃料となる赤松の灰が作品に降り注ぎ自然釉の衣をまとい景色となります。

また、時として高温の炎に耐えかねた土が引き裂かれ、壷としての用を満たさない「形」として壷が生まれ変わります。

そこには、土と炎が対峙し、人の手では成しえない炎の力、自然の力強さが表れます。

今回、炎に耐える(簡単には破れない)作品作りにもこだわりました。

それでも、1350度を超える炎の中焼き続け、壷が炎に耐える限界を超えることで「土と炎が対峙した証」を作品に焼きつけました。

そこには、信楽焼きの伝統を打ち破る、まさに「破格の美」新たなアートが生み出されました。

 

古谷和也