NANZUKA ART INSTITUTE is pleased to present Hajime Sorayama’s solo exhibition, Light, Reflection, Transparency—a major retrospective showcasing the artist’s most significant works, spanning nearly half a century, from the late 1970s to the present.
Hajime Sorayama has consistently articulated his artistic vision as a pursuit of "light," "reflection," and "transparency." This pursuit reflects his ongoing efforts to depict light in ways that surpass the limitations of traditional painting. As Sorayama has repeatedly stated, “To depict light, it is necessary to depict air; to depict air, it is necessary to depict transparency; the key is how to master the expression of reflection.” These words embody his relentless exploration of new forms of expression that challenge the boundaries of artistic representation.
Much like Leonardo da Vinci, who developed the sfumato technique to capture atmospheric perspective, or the Impressionists, who used pointillism to express light, Sorayama continually pushes himself to create visual illusions that have never been achieved before. His work represents an extraordinary attempt to capture the unseen and explore the deepest layers of human perception.
Sorayama’s depictions of robots, human figures, animals, and dinosaurs offer a speculative vision of a future beyond the physical limitations of living beings. His work invites us to imagine an aesthetic future where organic life forms have merged with mechanical civilization. These creations stir our imagination, intertwining themes such as the nature of human intellect, the body, and time. Additionally, they raise profound questions: Will technology transcend the limits of the human body, granting eternal life? Or will a future emerge where artificial intelligence coexists with humanity?
The exhibition features Sorayama’s iconic works, from his first robot painting for a whiskey ad in 1978 to the legendary female robot featured on Aerosmith’s Permanent Vacation album cover. It also includes his latest paintings of robotic dinosaurs and unicorns, along with new sculptures and a video installation that continues to push the limits of his craft. A
dditionally, his monumental 12-meter-tall aluminum robot, originally showcased at Dior’s 2018 runway show, will be displayed as a public artwork at The Summit. This striking installation offers visitors a powerful encounter with Sorayama’s visionary approach.