Press Release
Katsumi Nakai: Dimensional Harmonies
January 28 - February 27, 2025
4Bis Route des Jeunes, Geneva, Switzerland
Greg Bergner is pleased to present "Dimensional Harmonies," an intimate exhibition featuring four significant works by Japanese artist Katsumi Nakai (1927-2013) from the 1990s. This focused presentation offers a rare opportunity to experience Nakai's mature artistic vision through a selection of his characteristic three-dimensional wooden constructions.
Born in Osaka in 1927, Nakai studied at the Osaka Municipal Institute of Fine Art, where he developed an early interest in geometric abstraction that would define his future practice. In post-war Japan, he began exploring the possibilities of breaking free from the conventional two-dimensional picture plane, creating works that existed in a space between painting and sculpture. His artistic journey took a decisive turn in 1964 when he relocated to Milan, immersing himself in the city's vibrant avant-garde scene. In Italy, he found a creative environment that resonated with his artistic ambitions, forming close relationships with pioneering artists including Lucio Fontana and developing connections with prestigious venues such as Galleria del Naviglio and Galleria L'Argentario.
Nakai's singular artistic practice centers on sophisticated wooden constructions that extend beyond traditional artistic boundaries. His works feature methodically crafted hinged and moveable elements, painted in carefully modulated colors that shift and transform depending on the viewer's perspective. This distinctive approach combines architectural precision with the contemplative aspects of Japanese aesthetics, particularly evident in his masterful attention to balance, negative space, and materiality. The works presented in this exhibition, dating from the 1990s, represent the culmination of these explorations, showcasing Nakai at the height of his technical and conceptual maturity.
Created during a period of refined mastery, these four works exemplify Nakai's unique position bridging Eastern and Western artistic traditions. They demonstrate his sophisticated synthesis of European constructivism with Japanese spatial concepts, resulting in works that continue to resonate with contemporary artistic discourse.
The exhibition will be on view at Greg Bergner's viewing space in the Geneva beginning January 28, 2025. Visits are by appointment only.
For press inquiries and viewing appointments:
info@gregbergner.com
www.gregbergner.com
+41(0)79 393 93 94