Work 1969

Editor: Yamazaki Tsuruko's "Work" from 1969… what a compelling piece. The clashing diagonal stripes layered over what seem to be ghostly figures creates such a dynamic mood! It feels almost like a deconstructed stage. What do you make of it? Curator: A deconstructed stage...I love that! It's like life under construction, isn’t it? Tsuruko often worked with unconventional materials, seeking the beauty within the overlooked, the industrial. She's creating a dialogue between what's solid and what's ethereal. Notice how those almost violent, broad strokes soften into delicate translucent forms underneath. Do you see a bit of struggle? Perhaps a visual representation of transformation? Editor: Definitely, there's a tension. The bold stripes could be read as barriers, and yet they reveal glimpses of the forms underneath. Do you think that has something to do with the social and political upheaval happening in Japan at the time? Curator: Possibly. Art often acts as a mirror. I wonder, could those fragmented forms be memories trying to resurface, partially obscured by the present? Think of the red – its warmth both comforts and unsettles against the assertive black. It vibrates with unspoken narratives. Editor: I never thought of it like that...memories and barriers. Seeing the colors and shapes as something deeper definitely shifts my perspective. I was so caught up in the diagonals, I almost missed everything else. Curator: That's the joy of art isn't it? It can reflect our emotional states, too, prompting us to discover hidden layers within ourselves. What does Yamazaki teach *you* about *your* “work?”