Kazuhiro Aihara is a digital artist who lives and breathes in the streets. With a style that blends urban elements and sleek digital aesthetics, he captivates viewers with his mysterious charm. His pursuit of beauty is stoic, and his unapproachable atmosphere reminds me of the charm of a young Takeshi Kitano. He talks passionately about the things that inspire him, and feels sympathy for. And sometimes, he flashes a boyish grin that hints at the sould behind the artistic persona .
There is something that makes Kazu special, that even transcends age and convention. No matter how old you are, if you have curiosity, and if you have a mind and actions to pursue, you can challenge any possibility. Snowboarding, advertising design, fashion, graphics, music, coffee, streets, etc- Kazuhiro has aimed for the ultimate in each realm, respecting the attitude and cultures that shape them. His present is a canvas on which he expresses his vision, a vision that embraces the ethos of the internet and digital realms. Through his digital art, including one of his signature collection “PSY”, Kazuhiro invites us to his world, a world whre the grit of the streets merges with the boundless potential of technology.
Through his mesmerizing abstract pixel animations, Kazuhiro invites you to touch and discover the unnoticed emotions and feelings that permeate our daily lives. In the past, FAKEWHALE's solo interview described him as "Uncharted Pixels" - a digital artist exploring realms not yet mapped, venturing into the unknown. I felt this wording fits with the style of Kazuhiro Aihara. In various unpredictable situations, he takes detours on paths that do not exist on the map, yet firmly captures the coolness, interprets the flow of the times, and continues to create digital art every day. That's the essence of Kazuhiro Aihara’s style.
fakewhale Interview：Kazuhiro Aihara: Uncharted Pixels (fakewhale.xyz)
He transitioned to the world of digital art in 2021 and has been releasing crypto art works on various overseas marketplaces based on Tezos and Ethereum (Teia, Objkt.com, Foundation, SuperRare, etc.). In his exploration of a unique style, Kazuhiro combines traditional painting techniques, such as original textures, brush strokes, and color palettes, with expressions unique to digital art, such as pixels and glitches.
His diverse range of series showcases this fusion of traditional and digital. The "PSY" collection features liquid animations infused into abstract paintings, while "faxce" makes full use of textures and brush strokes translated into the digital realm. The "BFK" series reconstructs the history of internet memes through Kazuhiro's artistic lens. With his avant-garde approach, Kazuhiro's one-of-a-kind works have captured attention in the early NFT scene, even earning him a place in the collection of the digital art legend XCOPY.
In the early days when Japanese digital artists were scarce in the crypto art field, Kazu has consistently dropping his works and collecting pieces himself to help foster a community. His dedication paid off, as 2023 marked a significant leap forward with his participation in the prestigious Bright Moments Tokyo event, attracting even more well-deserved attention to his unique style.
Seven months after his breakthrough at Bright Moments Tokyo, Kai Washi held a solo exhibition at the NEORT++ gallery, showcasing his "DPSY" series - a bold extension of his masterful "PSY" collection. Visitors ascended the stairs of the Maruka Building, its ruinous aesthetic setting the tone for an otherworldly experience.
Upon arriving at the third floor, they were immersed in a psychedelic atmosphere crafted by NEORT++ to maximize the impact of "DPSY." Monitors projected Kazu's hypnotic animation videos throughout the space, while projectors cast the transcendent visuals onto the walls themselves. This masterful installation ensured his fluid animations enveloped the viewer from all angles.
But the exhibition transcended static displays. Kazu & NEORT incorporated works programmed to shift hues daily through dynamic coding. This subtle evolution reflected the perpetual flow of time, even within the context of digital art pieces. By allowing his works to organically change, Kazu created living pieces that defied the fixed nature of traditional art objects.
The "Kazuhiro Aihara Solo Show" was a full materialization of Kazu’s seamless convergence of the streetwise grit that inspires him and the boundless possibilities of new media. Engaging all the senses, he crafted an existential experience that dissolved the boundaries between the corporeal and the digital realms. This landmark exhibition solidified Kazu's status as a true visionary, manifesting the essence of his unique artistic spirit into a transcendent phenomenon.
We have released an interview about the situation at that time, so please take a look.
Based on the sensations, time, and experiences felt through the works with the visitors at the solo exhibition, this time we are jumping out of NEORT++ and holding an exhibition in a further form at kudan house.
Features of Kazuhiro Aihara
A Japanese digital artist who explores original digital textures, brush strokes, and color palettes, centered around the concepts of self and existence
Creates works on digital platforms with the improvisational nature of drawing, finding continuously evolving value.
A plethora of varied works
A wide variety of abundant works
Abstract portrait series "faxce"
Fluid pixel animation "PSY"
GIF Collection, Meme Culture BFK OG
ABOUT PSY
I am exploring the possibilities of creation by the Photoshop video process in a series of organic pixel animations called PSY. The expression of the liquid symbolizes humans, nature/cosmic space, and their relationship with human sexual concepts. DPSY is a derivative work of that series.
Kazuhiro Aihara expresses his envy for space in the description of 'never die before going to outer space'. Reading this sentence, you can feel that his crypto art also serves as a connection to space.
Why is it interesting to watch/collect this work now?
It has a system with a code that continues to change for a year
PSY is a work that ties fluidity and human, sexual concepts together. PSY can also be an abbreviation for psychedelic
The color changes daily, allowing you to experience the work on a more personal level by comparing it with your own mental and physical state at any given time
<NORI’S NOTE>
It's been almost three years since the boom in NFTs began. Amidst many artists exploring forms of expression, Kazuhiro Aihara continues to explore the way of digital art. His approach to time, a strong commitment to the color palette in the digital space, and the incorporation of a code system that keeps moving for a year, further extends his style. The charm of PSY and the artist is their ability to let you experience the coming "creativity towards a digital society". You can understand where he has reached by pursuing what he found interesting, namely the path of NFTs and digital art that he discovered three years ago.
About the price range of PSY's past works
Price Range: 0.4-0.5ETH (approximately 231,834 yen - 289,793 yen)
In April 2023, Ethereum was $2,012 (approximately 280,000 yen)
Current Ethereum price as of March 2024, $3,900 ($1 = 147 yen) = 579,586 yen
Where can I buy it?
Available for purchase on the NEORT platform (Crypto payment: ETH) DPSY21 (neort.io)
At the local kudan house, credit card payment and paypay payment are also possible
This time, we are selling together with the frame developed by NEORT
1080*608 pixels, 300 frames, 30fps, gif, year 2023. Dynamic coding that changes hue over a 365 day cycle. Handmade physical digital frame.
Media Format HTML / CSS / JavaScript Content NFT, Digital Frame
Physical Frame
The work will be delivered installed in a handmade digital frame.
Material Acrylic, wooden board, Raspberry Pi4 Delivery The delivery will be after December 24th when the exhibition ends. Precautions Operation requires power (approximately 25W power consumption)
<Notes>
Even in the 2000s, when internet art and media art were becoming popular, real-time rendering was being done, this time we update by utilizing blockchain and changing the color by coding. Now that digital has become more widespread and digital is commonplace for everyone, including the Alpha and Z generations, the way we look at things through digital and the design of society is being reconsidered. The work feels like it is "continuing to live on the digital" by constantly changing. In other words, it can be a work that is appreciated while feeling the axis of "time". And if we broaden our interpretation further, how far can art works be preserved? This also becomes one element of thought. The work itself does not deteriorate, but
The blockchain is recorded on the chain semi-permanently, but will the blockchain keep moving?
What about the servers that hold the art data? There are company management, on the blockchain, etc., but is it possible to continue providing images?
The durability of the monitor device
Considering such things while admiring the work is also an interesting perspective.
＜Information related＞
linktree https://linktr.ee/kazuhiroaihara
NEORT++ https://two.neort.io/ja
The highlights of this exhibition/fair
The inaugural "CURATION⇄FAIR Tokyo" unfolds an exhibition and art fair around the axis of "time".
It will be held for the first time at the generally non-public registered tangible cultural property "kudan house". It is an art event where you can enjoy collecting at an art fair where carefully selected galleries exhibit, and decipher the social significance of works in exhibitions. It is organized by Universal Ad Network Co., Ltd., which is also involved in the operation of art fair tokyo, and Toho Leo Co., Ltd.
What is Kudan House?
*kudan house Refer from the facility overview（Facility｜九段 kudan house）
This mansion, built in 1927 by leading Japanese architects (Mr. Naito Taoki, Mr. Kigo Shichiro, Mr. Imai Kenji), is a historic building in Japan, known for its beautiful curved Spanish design and as a representative work of the dawn of reinforced concrete. The property, which spans approximately 800m2, includes a modern three-story above ground and one-story underground mansion and a lush garden. At "kudan house", we strive to provide a comfortable space by renovating the facilities without compromising the historic value and profound, delicate atmosphere of this space.
Referenced from the overview of kudan house facilities (Facility｜Kudan kudan house)
Summary
CURATION⇄FAIR Tokyo
Venue: Kudan House (1-15-9 Kudan Kita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Organizers: Universal Ad Network Co., Ltd., Toho Leo Co., Ltd.
Official Hotel Partner: The Peninsula Tokyo
Media Partner: Art Shincho WEB: https://curation-fair.com/
Exhibition Curator: Endo Mizuki
Senior Advisor: Yamamoto Yuzo
＜Exhibition: Beauty, ambiguity, depending on time and case＞
Content: Planned exhibitions of ancient art, modern, contemporary art
Exhibition period:
February 21, 2024 - March 3, 2024 Weekdays: 10: 00-21: 30 / Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 10: 00-21: 00 / From March 3, 10: 00-18: 00
Last admission is 30 minutes before the end of each day
Exhibiting artists:
https://curation-fair.com/exhibition
展覧会会場レイアウトはこちら
美しさ、あいまいさ、時と場合に依る | 古美術/近現代美術/デジタルアートの展覧会 (curation-fair.com)
Click here for the interview article with the curator and organizer.
「CURATION⇄FAIR」が目指す既存の枠組みからの脱却。キーパーソン3人に聞く｜美術手帖 (bijutsutecho.com)
Title: "Beauty, Ambiguity" is inspired from the speech titles "My Beautiful Japan" by Yasunari Kawabata when he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1968, and "My Ambiguous Japan" by Kenzaburo Oe when he too won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1984.
The fair from the exhibition is structurally similar to visiting a shrine or temple and buying souvenirs at a shopping street.
At the exhibition, the number of visitors was deliberately limited to create introspection among the viewers.
Fair Dates: March 09, 2024 (Sat) to March 11, 2024 (Mon) 11:00 - 19:00
The fair is a format where galleries participate and artworks are replaced.
NEORT participates in the fair as a SUPPORTING PARTNER.
Art Kudan | 古美術/近代/現代アート、厳選されたギャラリーのアートフェア (curation-fair.com)
The theme of Art Kudan is "Desire of Time". This theme is derived from the tea ceremony practice of "flower desire", which involves giving the joy of placing seasonal flowers in the tea room to the guests. Selected galleries and art dealers from around the country will bring together a variety of works based on their aesthetic eyes, from antiques to modern, and contemporary art including digital media for display. (From the website)
Participation Gallery List https://curation-fair.com/artfair
TICKETS
We also sell tickets, so please check here
CURATION FAIR Tokyo (curation-fair.com)
General
Advance: 2,500 yen / Day: 3,000 yen Students
Advance: 1,500 yen / Day: 1,800 yen People with disabilities
Advance: 1,250 yen / Day: 1,500 yen Residents and employees in Chiyoda Ward
Advance: 2,000 yen / Day: 2,500 yen
In advance of this exhibition, we have a weekly interview with Kazuhiro Aihara.
Please watch the video below (short version).
Exhibition Theme: "That illusion, about water. / PSY, so H2O."
A code that continues to run for one year (365 days) is installed on the monitor, changing its appearance together with the viewer.
Aihara values primary colors as a color palette that can only be created digitally. And the charm of the untouchable = digital. In this exhibition, while physically feeling the artwork as a frame and an object, it maintains the sensation of not being able to touch the contents of the work, and proposes the form of a digital painting living in time and space by generating in real time with code.
Embracing the Unfinished Nature as the Source of Evolution: Kazuhiro’s Artistic Manifesto
In commemoration of this exhibition, CAPSYLE RED & BLUE living in PSY can be minted on zora!
To commemorate this exhibition, CAPSYLE RED & BLUE, which lives in PSY, can be minted on zora!
Artist: kazuhiroaihara.eth
Cost: 0.000777 ETH plus gas fee
Currency: Zora (Can also be purchased on ETH/Arbitrum/Base/OP Mainnet)
Issue number: Unlimited
Start: March 7, 2024 (Wednesday)
Deadline: 30 Days (~April 7, 2024)
CAPSYLE_RED
CAPSYLE_BLUE
【Memo】
If you look closely, you will see CAPSYLE living within PSY (please take another look at PSY and try to find it!)
I don't know what kind of meaning or function this capsule has, but everyone loves the capsule. Whether something hatches from it, or if it's some kind of digital medicine. Perhaps even the artist themselves may not fully grasp the whole picture, but I feel it's a work that can be an inspiration depending on the market situation.
【Afterword】
An incredible opportunity has arisen for Kai Washi to exhibit his works at the historic kudan house - a building that has left an indelible mark on Japan's artistic legacy.
What kind of profound sensations will be born from this convergence, where ancient art, contemporary pieces, and cutting-edge digital creations all share the same hallowed space?
As the mediums constantly evolve, I believe that by engaging viewers in dialogue and questioning values, thoughts, and perceptions together while being enveloped by tradition, it suggests the enduring possibility that the modernizing spirit - that harmony of Japanese and Western cultural influences - is still being born anew.
On this occasion, as an artist who captures the essence of various cultures and seeks expression through art, Kazuhiro Aihara, I am confronting with a work that expresses the artist's own current location in contemporary times on the theme of "desire of time". Kazu extends an invitation to join him at kudan house and share in this experience. To dialogue with his creations that span ancient traditions and futuristic visions. To feel the perpetual becoming that manifests when passion, culture, and innovation unite under one roof. A merging of dualities - past and future, permanence and evolution, grit and transcendence. Kazuhiro Aihara's works at kudan house represent an embodiment of the eternal human "desire of time" itself.
