Following the release of “DOWN BUT NOT OUT” and “WE WILL FLY AGAIN” in 2020, acclaimed Japanese artist and Spring 2021 cover story Yusuke Hanai and AllRightsReserved reunite for the third time to unveil the artist’s largest overseas solo exhibition, Facing the Current, in Hong Kong. The two-week visual art exhibition, organized and curated by AllRightsReserved, will be held at BELOWGROUND, LANDMARK in Central from 14 August to 5 September, 2021, opens to public for free.
Facing the Current features the artist’s largest 3D artwork to date. Measuring at two meters in length, the man-in-a-boat sculpture is placed alongside 19 brand-new canvas and multi-layered frame drawings. The sculpture depicts a man glumly contemplating on a boat with his imaginary friend. Reflecting upon tough times, he seems resolute to face the “current”, wherever it may bring him.
The word “current” has the double entendre of “present” and “tide”. Surfers either go with the “current” – the “tide”, or combat it if they get swept away. The “current” is unpredictable and wild, as you can be on your surfboard in one moment, and get engulfed in a matter of seconds. As a metaphor in life, much of our life is spent on dealing with the “current” – the “present”. Everyone has our own “present” and reality to face. This got Hanai questioning: “do we want to live in the current without facing the present, or do we want to face the present and keep rowing against the harsh current?”
Featuring a scaled version of the “FACING THE CURRENT” sculptural artwork, the miniaturized “FACING THE CURRENT” figure with 11 inches long is now available for a global drawing on DDT Store from today, 8 Aug 11pm EDT / 9 Aug 11am HKT to 12 Aug 12am EDT / 12pm HKT, Limited to 500 pieces worldwide, with a price of USD1,500 | HKD11,700. Successful entrants will be notified via email by 12 August with purchase details. Shipping begins from September 2021. Please visit DDT Store’s official website for more information.