Artist
Hosoo Masataka
Quasicrystal_In Search of Textiles through Code, 2020.
Quasicrystal_In Search of Textiles through Code, 2020.
Aya / Lines #1108017408. 2020. Silk, rayon, silver yarn, colored silver leaf. Installation view from Quasicrystal—In Search of Textiles through Code, Hosoo Gallery, 2020. Collection of Hosoo Co. Ltd. H. 130, W. 130 cm.
Born into an illustrious family of Nishijin brocade weavers, Hosoo Masataka is an art producer and creator who has revolutionized Nishijin textiles. In recent years, he has worked with mathematicians and programmers to research and develop new textiles. Up until now, the weave structures used in textiles have arisen from the experiences and sensibilities of craftspeople. For this exhibition, Masataka collaborated with artist and programmer Furudate Ken to develop a state-of-the-art textile featuring a computer-generated weave structure.
Profile
Hosoo Masataka
Masataka Hosoo was born in 1978 into the Hosoo family, who are behind the well-established Nishijin textile company and industry leader, HOSOO Co., Ltd., that was founded in 1688. After graduating from university, a brief career in music, and working for a major Japanese jewelry company, Masataka joined HOSOO in 2008. Since then, he has been overseeing the endeavors of the development of contemporary textiles using Nishijin weaving techniques for international markets. It has resulted in the world’s luxury fashion houses such as Dior and Chanel using HOSOO textiles for the interior of their stores designed by Peter Marino and active collaborations with artists in the creative space. Masataka’s first book, “World first challenges with Japanese aesthetics” was published in 2021.
Collaborating
Furudate Ken
Furudate Ken was born in 1981. He is currently based in Kyoto. In 2019, Furudate received a Japan Media Arts Award Festival award for Pulses/Grains/Phase/Moiré. In 2018, he won a Digital Choc award and was a Cynetart award finalist. His project, The Sine Wave Orchestra, received honorary mention at the Prix Ars Electronica (2019, 2004), a Cynetart award (2018), and a judge’s recommendation at the Japan Media Arts Award Festival (2017). As a musician, he has performed at events including Mutek.jp (2019), the Yebisu International Festival for Art and Alternative Visions (2016), Knowledge Capital Festival (2015), Kyotographie (2014), and Sonar Sound Tokyo (2011). He has been a member of Dumb Type since 2014. In 2022, Dumb Type presented the work 2022 in the Japan Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale.