BOOK:Taro Izumi-Ex, Hatje Cantz Publications

Taro lzumi’s first major solo exhibition in Switzerland rests on his observations of our lifestyles, social interactions, and relations with nature and animals. Out of this material, he conceives multifarious, unclassifiable works which, starting from a simple framework and a certain economy of means, take us on journeys to the gates of absurdity. The unique creative universe unfolded for Taro Izumi. ex is an organic ecosystem that does not fit neatly into any established artistic category. Sculpture, installation, performance, video and sometimes even the architectural surroundings themselves are closely combined. Likewise, materials are brought together (wood, textiles, plants, household objects – items of every kind} in structures that might appear chaotic, but are actually carefully designed and assembled. An encounter with this opulent, ever-expanding cosmos is like entering a visual and mental kaleidoscope. The catalogue “Ex” features works that Izumi created for the Museum Tinguely’s own spaces and that reflect on the cultural and societal upheavals caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Izumi’s belief in the constant transformation of things is also reflected in the structure of the catalogue, which resembles a loose-leaf binder. Thus, he finds a way to render the unclassifiable quality of his art in another medium.-Dimitris Lempesis