Introduction to Art Archive XXVII: Correspondence-Poetry or Letters and Affects—Shuzo Takiguchi and Shusaku Arakawa/Madeline Gins
Exhibition at the Art Space, Keio University Art Center (KUAC)
Keio University Art Center
2-15-45, Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo
108-8345, Japan
On view from March 17, 2025 through May 30, 2025
Shuzo Takiguchi (1903-1979) and Shusaku Arakawa (1936-2010) inspired each other through an ongoing exchange of letters, which continued after Arakawa moved to the United States. Madeline Gins (1941-2014) joined later on in the correspondences. Takiguchi’s handmade book, called koushin-shi (correspondence-poem or correspondence-papers), embodied this exchange, blending finished and unfinished elements. The letters between Arakawa/Gins and Takiguchi often went beyond typical updates, using humor and creativity to transform letters into a new form of communication. These private, esoteric messages created a “blank” space, which is explored as a site of collaboration and reflection on their relationship.
For more information, http://www.art-c.keio.ac.jp/en/news-events/event-archive/artarchive27/
