Hitomi Uchikura: Lumières

At the end of her residency at the DUTKO / Ile Saint-Louis, we are pleased to present from June 24th to July 22nd, 2023, the second solo exhibition of Japanese artist Hitomi Uchikura with the gallery. An unprecedented collection of «Lumières» (Lights), embossed and cut paper panels, will be unveiled on this occasion, accompanied by biomorphic sculptures called «Bright Cells,» as well as wall structures called «Gouttes de Lune» (Moon Drops).

Hitomi Uchikura only needs her artistic vision, a scalpel, and physical force exerted on paper to create the works she calls «Lumières.» These are structures staged in suspension in front of the wall, housing a sea of circular medallions of various sizes, with cut-out spaces between the discs. The medallions are all embossed in the paper to create a relief. If one observes this relief for a while, a process of inversion suddenly occurs, and the concave «plates» that extend backward become convex, forming plastic discs that come towards us. They highlight the instantaneity, the weightlessness that is already present through the staging in front of the wall.

These are visual changes that occur but do not suggest agitation or chaos. On the contrary, the density of finely coordinated forms encourages the viewer to pause. The artwork becomes a space for meditation. The cut-out empty spaces appear dark, allowing a glimpse towards the back of the shaded room in front of the wall. However, if the artist installs a light source under the strip of paper, this space between the discs illuminates and enhances the suspended state of the concave or convex discs. The back of the room begins to shine.

The wall works are associated with biomorphic sculptures. Although they weigh around 5 kg, the impression of lightness also dominates here. These «Bright Cells» are made up of camera lenses and mirrors. The visible surface, in which round glass lenses are embedded, is covered with colored leather.