Failure to Emerge (羽化不全) by Kei Ichikawa: An art analysis
Failure to Emerge or Metamorphosis is a 7.5ft x 4.75ft (2273mm x 1455mm) oil painting by Kei Inchikawa. I'm a big fan of Ichikawa's work. Kei Ichikawa is a Japanese art student at Tokyo University of the Arts studying in the oil painting department. Her works often exist on a similar grid mixing the would of 3D and 2D. The stark contrast between 90s Japanese cartoons and realism really makes this piece what it is.
The grid underneath helps convey the dimension that each element of the painting is in. The use of both 3D and 2D figures in one painting really stands out to me. The grid plane and the end of it help portray depth along with the background with the abstract figure. Another part I enjoy is the vibrancy of the cartoon-style figures compared to the rest of the painting and the contrast it creates. I would definitely love to own a print of this art piece. It's just really interesting and fun to look at.
Ichikawa's description of the piece roughly translated is:
"Insects that fail to emerge during the molting metamorphosis from larva or pupa to adult, die or emerge deformed. I have depicted a chaotic modern society where people like me who have not yet emerged are lurking, where mature and immature, conformity and unconformity coexist."
Failure to emerge depicts the starkly different worlds of children and adults in the same plain of reality. I relate to the piece a lot still feeling like I'm in the weird of being an adult and still being a child. One fear that I have is that I'm already grown up but I never feel like it, or like Ichikawa's description of this painting states, that I will "fail to emerge during the molting metamorphosis" and that I might "emerge deformed" in some way. But for now, I feel stuck in the middle viewing both worlds from where I stand.
More of Ichikawa's works can be viewed through her social media on Instagram and Twitter.
Wow, this is a different take on art way more modern. The use of 2D and 3D elements are almost done to a t; incorporating a real looking person with anime is just leaving me speechless with that level creativity. Curious to know how you came across Ichikawa's work, was it through social media only?
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting piece, it confused me at first. However the more I look at it, the better I begin to understand the meaning behind it. I like how you share how this piece makes you ponder your own life and where you're at in it. I too am at a weird point in my life where I thought I'd begin to really feel like an adult, but I don't. It's definitely a troubling place to feel stuck in at times, but I've learned to just go with the flow of things.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is a one of a kind painting. I admire how this piece of art makes you think your own life and where you're at in it. The use of 2D and 3D elements are awesome, and I agree with you about how contrast the anime characters are; they stand out. You were so descriptive, and it helped while observing this art piece.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a unique type of art style. I don't feel anything when I see art like this, however, it was fascinating to hear how you relate or feel when you see something like this. Honestly, this style of art is hard for me to enjoy and I’m not sure why. I did enjoy your description and thoughts on the piece. The use of 2D and 3D honestly hurts my head a bit but I do enjoy the message they are trying to express.
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