Daiki Nishimura — The Transcendent Prayer in Luminous Tranquility: ‘Record’ and ‘Foresight dream’ (Reviewed by Tomoki Akimaru)

Fig. 1 Daiki Nishimura, Beginning rain on the gravestone, 2023.

 

Fig. 2 Daiki Nishimura, Like a cloud after a lot of rain, 2023.

 

Daiki Nishimura’s oeuvre is pure, serene prayers filled with light.

One must closely examine his series of small works entitled “Record” to fully appreciate Nishimura’s mastery (Fig. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). At first glance, the pieces appear to be abstract paintings. However, as one approaches, they transform into ink-wash representations of a pine forest. Further scrutiny reveals that they are, in fact, mixed media compositions utilizing photographs. The framing of these landscapes skillfully reflects the boundary between the objective external world and the subjective internal realm. Consequently, although the images are devoid of human figures, they retain an indelible sense of the photographer’s presence within that moment and space.

According to Nishimura, his creative process commences with photography. He captures the essence of the natural scenery he traverses, experiencing light and wind through the lens of his camera. The image is then fixed onto photographic paper, and with the use of a solvent, is slightly raised and blurred. Subsequently, small holes are punctured into the image using burning incense. The final stage involves affixing the image to a matte aluminum plate and finishing the surface with crystalline powder. The resulting image is enveloped in warm, ethereal hues of blue and green, subtly emitting a delicate luminescence and appearing to undulate with the semi-transparent, semi-abstract motifs depending on the viewer’s angle. This photographic yet ambiguous image possesses the ability to gently enliven the imagery, fostering a sense of familiarity and intimacy for the viewers while simultaneously avoiding the constraints of a fixed representation. The long, obscure titles, which seem to whisper something personal, further enhance this intimate connection without imposing limitations on the viewer’s interpretation. Nishimura’s style, honed through a decade of experimentation and refinement, is deeply rooted in his unwavering individuality. Thus, at first glance, it may seem as though anyone could attempt this feat, yet it is improbable that another’s work would radiate the same captivating brilliance. This is because within the creator’s ingenuity lie his own poetry and truth.

 

Fig. 3 Daiki Nishimura, The scenery seems to be seen for the first time from the white space, 2023.

 

Fig. 4 Daiki Nishimura, Somewhere music and moonlight are one, 2023.

 

Nishimura is among the contemporary painters who are conscious of environmental issues. His father, an ornithologist and environmental assessment specialist, profoundly influenced his artistic outlook. When he was a mere three years old, a tragic accident rendered Nishimura’s father paralyzed for nearly 20 years. Nishimura remained steadfastly by his father’s side, not only inherited his profound love for nature from his father but also deeply learned the invaluable significance of daily peace and tranquility. It is worth noting that the passing of his father served as a major catalyst for Nishimura to earnestly address environmental concerns within his artistic practice. With such a background, Nishimura often laments the fact that all rainwater on Earth now contains chemical substances, rendering it unsuitable for drinking. He acknowledges that the world is already polluted and maintains a persistent intention to seek ways for humanity to survive in this context. Rather than conveying environmental issues from a moral standpoint, Nishimura is convinced that, as a painter and artist, there must be more accessible forms of expression. In doing so, he remains committed to carrying on his father’s aspirations as a scholar and practitioner. By presenting captivating images of pristine natural beauty that inspire a sense of longing in people, his “Record” series embodies this aspiration.

 

Fig. 5 Daiki Nishimura, All I can see are scammers looking for ducks, 2023.

 

Fig. 6 Daiki Nishimura, The morning begins from the spider’s thread, 2023.

 

Initially, Nishimura drew inspiration from the landscapes surrounding him. However, his relentless pursuit of the ideal artistic representation led him to Amanohashidate in Kyoto, one of the “Three Great Views of Japan,” revered for centuries by the Japanese. Amanohashidate is a 3.6-kilometer-long sandbar that stretches across the mouth of the bay. Over 5,000 pine trees adorn the sandbar, encapsulating the quintessential Japanese coastal beauty characterized by “white sands and green pines.” Each work in Nishimura’s “Record” series features the pine groves of Amanohashidate, which he has personally walked through and captured with his own lens. Amanohashidate appears in mythology due to the uniqueness of its natural terrain that evokes a sense of grandeur and mystery of nature. In Japan’s oldest mythological text, the Kojiki (712 AD), Amanohashidate is described as a scaffold for the divine couple who created the Japanese archipelago from the heavens. In ancient legends, it is said to be a fallen ladder used by the deities to travel between heaven and earth. Thus, this sandbar has long been considered a sacred place connecting the “other shore (eternal world)” and “this shore (present world),” rather than merely a tourist destination.

Furthermore, Amanohashidate has been depicted in paintings since ancient times, due to its stunning scenic beauty. The most renowned piece is the “View of Amanohashidate” (circa 1501) (Fig. 7) by Sesshū, often hailed as the progenitor of Japanese ink painting. This work distinguishes itself not only as one of the earliest instances of capturing an actual landscape, rather than merely replicating a template, but also for its masterful integration of multiple perspectives within the composition, thereby bestowing an artful enhancement to the scene. Additionally, pine groves are often depicted in Japanese ink paintings, with the pinnacle of this genre, Hasegawa Tōhaku’s “Pine Forest Folding Screen” (16th century) (Fig. 8) This work is renowned not only for Tohaku’s refinement of Mokkei’s Chinese Southern Song style to suit the Japanese landscape, but also for being created during a period when the artist was disheartened by the untimely passing of his beloved son.

 

Fig. 7 Sesshū, View of Amanohashidate, circa 1501.

 

Fig. 8 Hasegawa Tōhaku, Pine Forest Folding Screen, 16th century.

 

In this context, Nishimura’s “Record” series can be seen as a contemporary expression of the traditional Japanese view of nature. In ancient Japan, powerful manifestations of nature were believed to be inhabited by divine forces, with evergreen pines in particular revered for their longevity and considered as sacred vessels for the deities. The reason Japanese perceive divinity within pines stems from their belief that nature is deeply rooted in “the other shore” or “higan,” which is also referred to as the “root country.” This primordial realm governs not only the death but also the rebirth of all life forms. Thus, since ancient times, the Japanese have not only appreciated the aesthetic beauty of pine trees but also embraced them as symbols of hope representing the immortality and regeneration of all things. In capturing this essence, the monochromatic ink painting technique proved to be exceptionally well-suited for conveying the sublime spirituality of the subject matter. Nishimura himself has stated that he was not particularly conscious of Sesshū or Tōhaku while working on this “Record” series. Instead, he professes a strong admiration for American painter Ross Bleckner, who aesthetically represents social issues. However, this unconscious reflection of traditional sensibilities and the artistic traditions, such as Sesshu’s idealized depiction of real landscapes or Tohaku’s adaptation of foreign styles, is contemporarily expressed by Nishimura through photographic manipulation and references to Western art.

 

Fig. 9 Daiki Nishimura, Someday I will be able to look out the window even though it is not a rainy day, 2023.

 

Fig. 10 Daiki Nishimura, The messengers of the night fly away in search of food, 2023.

 

Fig. 11 Daiki Nishimura, They whisper to the day they walk away, 2023.

 

As an extension of the “Record” series, Nishimura has developed the “Foresight Dream” series (Fig. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13). In these large-scale works, which utilize a combination of oil paints, acrylics, and mineral pigments, the pine groves of Amanohashidate continue to serve as the central motif. According to Nishimura, although the motif remains the same, there are temporal and spatial differences in the production process between the two series. In other words, as oil painting takes longer than photography, each brushstroke becomes imbued with more intense emotions. Furthermore, as the scale of the artwork increases, viewers feel more enveloped within the piece, allowing for a deeper resonance with the messages emanating from the artistic world presented. What is most distinctive about the “Foresight Dream” series is the multiple vertical streaks of paint that appear to drip down the entire canvas. These raindrop-like streaks, reminiscent of rain beating against a window, have their origin in the wildfires that occurred in Australia at the end of 2019. As Nishimura watched news coverage of the forest fires, he humbly acknowledged that such large-scale conflagrations could no longer be extinguished by human efforts, and instead, reliance on long-term natural rainfall was the only viable solution. Similar to the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020, various infectious diseases arise due to human-induced changes in ecosystems. The overwhelming power of these uncontrollable plagues leaves humanity with no choice but to wait for a natural resolution. The quiet yet hopeful images of the “Foresight Dream” series, which evoke a longing for the light of dawn, seems to wordlessly remind viewers that instead of arrogantly believing we can control nature, we should live with a sense of gratitude for being “loved and sustained,” never forgetting our reverence for the natural world.

The gentle morning sun heralds the start of a new day. The sunlight envelops a tranquil afternoon with a comforting warmth. And within the modest, peaceful routines of everyday life, we catch glimpses of eternal moments. In Nishimura’s works, there is an abundance of hope and prayers for tranquility and purification.

 

Fig. 12 Daiki Nishimura, I have to wear boots
and walk alone with a cold illusion, 2022.

 

Fig. 13 Daiki Nishimura, Until we blend in with the world, 2021.

 

  • Sesshū (1420-1506): A painter and monk. After Sesshū studied painting and Zen Buddhism in Kyoto, he traveled to China to hone his skills by learning from the ancient paintings of the Song and Yuan dynasties, as well as the latest artistic trends of the Ming dynasty. Upon returning to Japan, he traveled extensively, devoting himself to sketching from life and breaking free from the imitation of Chinese paintings to establish a uniquely Japanese style of ink painting. His works had a profound influence on future generations. Among his many accomplishments, six of his works, including “View of Amanohashidate,” hold the distinction of being designated as Japan’s National Treasures – the highest number for any individual artist.

 

  • Hasegawa Tōhaku (1539-1610): A painter who was influenced by the ink paintings of Mokkei and Sesshū, and claimed himself to be the fifth-generation successor of Sesshū. Tōhaku thrived in Kyoto during the Warring States period, and his artistic prowess quickly earned him the admiration of contemporary power brokers and cultural figures, leading him to the pinnacle of the art world in his own lifetime. Unfortunately, he was not blessed with a successor. His masterpiece, “Pine Forest Folding Screen,” is a Japan’s National Treasure and has been frequently chosen as one of the most beloved works of art among the Japanese people.

 

  • Mokkei was a prominent painter-monk who flourished in the late 13th century during the Southern Song and Yuan dynasties in China. He was renowned for his mastery of ink wash painting, characterized by its ability to convey a sense of moist atmosphere. His artistic style had a considerable impact on the development of Japanese ink wash painting.

 

  • Ross Bleckner (born 1949) is a distinguished contemporary American painter working in New York City. He is known for his unique style that seamlessly blends figurative and abstract elements, utilizing symbolic imagery to thoughtfully address pressing social issues such as AIDS

(Translated by Kazari Kanemitsu)

 

【Official Site】

https://daikinishimura.jimdofree.com/

著者: (AKIMARU Tomoki)

美術評論家・美学者・美術史家・キュレーター。1997年多摩美術大学美術学部芸術学科卒業、1998年インターメディウム研究所アートセオリー専攻修了、2001年大阪大学大学院文学研究科文化表現論専攻美学文芸学専修修士課程修了、2009年京都芸術大学大学院芸術研究科美術史専攻博士課程単位取得満期退学、2012年京都芸術大学より博士学位(学術)授与。2013年に博士論文『ポール・セザンヌと蒸気鉄道――近代技術による視覚の変容』(晃洋書房)を出版し、2014年に同書で比較文明学会研究奨励賞(伊東俊太郎賞)受賞。2010年4月から2012年3月まで京都大学こころの未来研究センターで連携研究員として連携研究プロジェクト「近代技術的環境における心性の変容の図像解釈学的研究」の研究代表を務める。主なキュレーションに、現代京都藝苑2015「悲とアニマ——モノ学・感覚価値研究会」展(会場:北野天満宮、会期:2015年3月7日〜2015年3月14日)、現代京都藝苑2015「素材と知覚——『もの派』の根源を求めて」展(第1会場:遊狐草舎、第2会場:Impact Hub Kyoto〔虚白院 内〕、会期:2015年3月7日〜2015年3月22日)、現代京都藝苑2021「悲とアニマⅡ~いのちの帰趨~」展(第1会場:両足院〔建仁寺塔頭〕、第2会場:The Terminal KYOTO、会期:2021年11月19日~2021年11月28日)、「藤井湧泉——龍花春早 猫虎懶眠」展(第1会場:高台寺、第2会場:圓徳院、第3会場:掌美術館、会期:2022年3月3日~2022年5月6日)等。2023年に高木慶子・秋丸知貴『グリーフケア・スピリチュアルケアに携わる人達へ』(クリエイツかもがわ・2023年)出版。

2010年4月-2012年3月: 京都大学こころの未来研究センター連携研究員
2011年4月-2013年3月: 京都大学地域研究統合情報センター共同研究員
2011年4月-2016年3月: 京都大学こころの未来研究センター共同研究員
2016年4月-: 滋賀医科大学非常勤講師
2017年4月-2024年3月: 上智大学グリーフケア研究所非常勤講師
2020年4月-2023年3月: 上智大学グリーフケア研究所特別研究員
2021年4月-2024年3月: 京都ノートルダム女子大学非常勤講師
2022年4月-: 京都芸術大学非常勤講師

【投稿予定】

■ 秋丸知貴『近代とは何か?――抽象絵画の思想史的研究』
序論 「象徴形式」の美学
第1章 「自然」概念の変遷
第2章 「象徴形式」としての一点透視遠近法
第3章 「芸術」概念の変遷
第4章 抽象絵画における形式主義と神秘主義
第5章 自然的環境から近代技術的環境へ
第6章 抽象絵画における機械主義
第7章 スーパーフラットとヤオヨロイズム

■ 秋丸知貴『美とアウラ――ヴァルター・ベンヤミンの美学』
第1章 ヴァルター・ベンヤミンの「アウラ」概念について
第2章 ヴァルター・ベンヤミンの「アウラの凋落」概念について
第3章 ヴァルター・ベンヤミンの「感覚的知覚の正常な範囲の外側」の問題について
第4章 ヴァルター・ベンヤミンの芸術美学――「自然との関係における美」と「歴史との関係における美」
第5章 ヴァルター・ベンヤミンの複製美学――「複製技術時代の芸術作品」再考

■ 秋丸知貴『近代絵画と近代技術――ヴァルター・ベンヤミンの「アウラ」概念を手掛りに』
序論 近代技術的環境における心性の変容の図像解釈学的研究
第1章 近代絵画と近代技術
第2章 印象派と大都市群集
第3章 セザンヌと蒸気鉄道
第4章 フォーヴィズムと自動車
第5章 「象徴形式」としてのキュビズム
第6章 近代絵画と飛行機
第7章 近代絵画とガラス建築(1)――印象派を中心に
第8章 近代絵画とガラス建築(2)――キュビズムを中心に
第9章 近代絵画と近代照明(1)――フォーヴィズムを中心に
第10章 近代絵画と近代照明(2)――抽象絵画を中心に
第11章 近代絵画と写真(1)――象徴派を中心に
第12章 近代絵画と写真(2)――エドゥアール・マネ、印象派を中心に
第13章 近代絵画と写真(3)――後印象派、新印象派を中心に
第14章 近代絵画と写真(4)――フォーヴィズム、キュビズムを中心に
第15章 抽象絵画と近代技術――ヴァルター・ベンヤミンの「アウラ」概念を手掛りに

■ 秋丸知貴『ポール・セザンヌと蒸気鉄道 補遺』
第1章 ポール・セザンヌの生涯と作品――19世紀後半のフランス画壇の歩みを背景に
第2章 ポール・セザンヌの中心点(1)――自筆書簡と実作品を手掛かりに
第3章 ポール・セザンヌの中心点(2)――自筆書簡と実作品を手掛かりに
第4章 ポール・セザンヌと写真――近代絵画における写真の影響の一側面

■ Tomoki Akimaru Cézanne and the Railway
Cézanne and the Railway (1): A Transformation of Visual Perception in the 19th Century
Cézanne and the Railway (2): The Earliest Railway Painting Among the French Impressionists
Cézanne and the Railway (3): His Railway Subjects in Aix-en-Provence

■ 秋丸知貴『岸田劉生と東京――近代日本絵画におけるリアリズムの凋落』
序論 日本人と写実表現
第1章 岸田吟香と近代日本洋画――洋画家岸田劉生の誕生
第2章 岸田劉生の写実回帰 ――大正期の細密描写
第3章 岸田劉生の東洋回帰――反西洋的近代化
第4章 日本における近代化の精神構造
第5章 岸田劉生と東京

■ 秋丸知貴『〈もの派〉の根源――現代日本美術における伝統的感受性』
第1章 関根伸夫《位相-大地》論――日本概念派からもの派へ
第2章 現代日本美術における自然観――関根伸夫の《位相-大地》(1968年)から《空相-黒》(1978年)への展開を中心に
第3章 Qui sommes-nous? ――小清水漸の1966年から1970年の芸術活動の考察
第4章 現代日本美術における土着性――小清水漸の《垂線》(1969年)から《表面から表面へ-モニュメンタリティー》(1974年)への展開を中心に
第5章 現代日本彫刻における土着性――小清水漸の《a tetrahedron-鋳鉄》(1974年)から「作業台」シリーズへの展開を中心に

■ 秋丸知貴『藤井湧泉論――知られざる現代京都の超絶水墨画家』
第1章 藤井湧泉(黄稚)――中国と日本の美的昇華
第2章 藤井湧泉と伊藤若冲――京都・相国寺で花開いた中国と日本の美意識(前編)
第3章 藤井湧泉と伊藤若冲――京都・相国寺で花開いた中国と日本の美意識(中編)
第4章 藤井湧泉と伊藤若冲――京都・相国寺で花開いた中国と日本の美意識(後編)
第5章 藤井湧泉と京都の禅宗寺院――一休寺・相国寺・金閣寺・林光院・高台寺・圓徳院
第6章 藤井湧泉の《妖女赤夜行進図》――京都・高台寺で咲き誇る新時代の百鬼夜行図
第7章 藤井湧泉の《雲龍嘯虎襖絵》――兵庫・大蔵院に鳴り響く新時代の龍虎図(前編)
第8章 藤井湧泉の《雲龍嘯虎襖絵》――兵庫・大蔵院に鳴り響く新時代の龍虎図(後編)
第9章 藤井湧泉展――龍花春早・猫虎懶眠
第10章 藤井湧泉展――水墨雲龍・極彩猫虎
第11章 藤井湧泉展――龍虎花卉多吉祥
第12章 藤井湧泉展――ネコトラとアンパラレル・ワールド

■ 秋丸知貴『比較文化と比較芸術』
序論 比較の重要性
第1章 西洋と日本における自然観の比較
第2章 西洋と日本における宗教観の比較
第3章 西洋と日本における人間観の比較
第4章 西洋と日本における動物観の比較
第5章 西洋と日本における絵画観(画題)の比較
第6章 西洋と日本における絵画観(造形)の比較
第7章 西洋と日本における彫刻観の比較
第8章 西洋と日本における建築観の比較
第9章 西洋と日本における庭園観の比較
第10章 西洋と日本における料理観の比較
第11章 西洋と日本における文学観の比較
第12章 西洋と日本における演劇観の比較
第13章 西洋と日本における恋愛観の比較
第14章 西洋と日本における死生観の比較

■ 秋丸知貴『ケアとしての芸術』
第1章 グリーフケアとしての和歌――「辞世」を巡る考察を中心に
第2章 グリーフケアとしての芸道――オイゲン・ヘリゲル『弓と禅』を手掛かりに
第3章 絵画制作におけるケアの基本構造――形式・内容・素材の観点から
第4章 絵画鑑賞におけるケアの基本構造――代弁と共感の観点から
第5章 フィンセント・ファン・ゴッホ論
第6章 エドヴァルト・ムンク論
第7章 草間彌生論
第8章 アウトサイダー・アート論

■ 秋丸知貴『芸術創造の死生学』
第1章 アンリ・エランベルジェの「創造の病い」概念について
第2章 ジークムント・フロイトの「昇華」概念について
第3章 カール・グスタフ・ユングの「個性化」概念について
第4章 エーリッヒ・ノイマンの「中心向性」概念について
第5章 エイブラハム・マズローの「至高体験」概念について
第6章 ミハイ・チクセントミハイの「フロー」概念について

http://tomokiakimaru.web.fc2.com/