Lot 1660: MASAKATSU TAKAGI

MASAKATSU TAKAGI
(B. 1979)
Lava
one video art (respectively in DVD, DVD-R and Blu-Ray formats)
length of video: 2 minutes 45 seconds
edition 2/8
Executed in 2008

Tokyo, Japan, Yamamoto Gendai, ITAKO, 30 August-27 September, 2008.
Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Jogja National Museum, KITA!!: Japanese Artists Meet Indonesia, 19 April-18 May 2008.
Kyoto, Japan, Kyoto Art Center, Dual Points, 13 September-13 October, 2008

Light is the epitomic motif for the heavens, approaching death, source of life and perhaps most instrumental in describing the character of the human soul in a state of transition. Takagi's themes pivot around his personal connection to light's enigmatic force by creating video sequences which incorporate music to engulf the senses of the viewer into the liquid movement on the screen. The textured, tactile quality of his videos subjects and musical accompaniment often echo the character of three dimensional objects and experiences. Finding spiritual guidance in texts such as The Tibetan Book of the Dead and Nam June Paik's seminal work T.V. Buddha to guide Takagi's inner light, Takagi's Lava and Philharmony (Lot 1661) equally carry with them the slow rhythm and meditative quality of contemplative Eastern spiritualism.

In Lava (Lot 1660) the monochromatic striking female figures flow through and out from one another in a quality that resembles melting glistening wax. The blended translucent beautiful females are not simply aesthetically pleasing but convey Takagi's wholesome appreciation for The Tibetan Book of the Dead. Shimmering against soft angelic voices in the background, we watch as the women are guided by the glistening light of reincarnation. Takagi manifests the profound and liberating teachings of the book whereby the inevitability of death and process of spiritual freedom is thoroughly explained and taught to be graciously accepted. This invisible moment of transition of death into new life, a process where consciousness is drawn towards the pure realm of light, is shown in the graceful movement and pleasantly reflective surface of the women.

This strong, fearless belief of an attainable blissful afterlife and recognition is also echoed in Philharmony which emerged from Takagi's photographic journey in Nepal and Nam June Paik's video art whereby highly composed frames of figures and wild and blossoming trees emerge in succession. The self-reflective Buddha of Paik's video parallels Takagi's spiritual inquisition in Philharmony as the lively imagery shows an appreciative reflection of Takagi's past, a practice preached in Eastern philosophy. A sense of happiness and content is manifested through the speed and perspective of the quickly fluctuating vibrantly colored frames reminiscent of tranquil summers. Takagi builds the atmosphere of these peaceful days with accentuated melodic piano playing and chattering voices. Just as a painting has texture, Philharmony is filled with raised and concave 'brushstrokes' that create the visual and tactile sensation of rough pottery.

Takagi's imagery is created in clear sequential order from the first frame to the ending, a process the artist himself compares to assembling paintings for a tightly-curated exhibition. After the visual components are finalized, Takagi composes musical elements that rhythmically echo the movement of the visuals to ultimately engage not only the visual sensation of a painting but also audile and tactile senses, captivating us in an inescapable atmosphere where the experience of viewing the work becomes a part of Takagi's artwork itself.