Pounding:

At SOMARTS, San Francisco, CA

Pounding:

Pounding is a series of figures captured in tubes. Signifying isolated human emotions, without gender, these figures look alike yet emit a sense of distinct melancholy. The figures do not touch each other. They know of each other but somehow lacks the tools to communicate with each other, simply because in each tube, each figure has one’s own barriers. Each figure has its own personality, as denoted by the written note in the tube. Yet all figures have the  same need, to be understood and to be found. All figures have the same fear – being afraid to show true emotions

This series was created as a result of a conversation with a friend. During the conversation, I felt a sense of loneliness within my friend. We were talking but there was an immense feeling of loneliness within him, as well as within myself. But we were talking to each other, at least, we were trying to communicate with each other. I began to make a figure, a dummy of myself. Then I thought Javid needs a friend. So I made a second figure. And suddenly, I felt that lots of people need some dummy, like us. I made 29 figures. I feel that I am okay right now. I also painted on canvas my Pounding feelings. I feel this work is continuous. Whenever I get the Pounding feeling, I will start again

tube:

these are figures in 4×1 1/2 tubes.

each figure has message but they don’t know how to express themselves

old old days, people are more sensitive and had some kind of instinct tells you about each other

“i try to contact with you but i don’t know how to take out this barrier in my mind”

hakaribakari wagamama

An Exhibition at Compound Gallery, Portland, OR

HAKARI BAKARI WAGA MAMA features 25 paintings showing a Japanese pop character named Hakari-chan. Hakari is defined as a Japanese word for “scale and balance” and Bakari as a word for “only or just”. Wagamama means “selfish”

The suffix “chan” is an endearing term to address someone who is dear to one’s heart. Kaori Kasai described HAKARI BAKARI as scales in this present world. This show is about Hakari-chan just being selfish. Selfish Hakari-chan (i think kids are kind of selfish.they think they are no.1) is trying to learn how to fit in a society

what are values? what is the most important thing? somehow all scales in this world are not working. hakari-chan is still a child, don’t know much about values
hakari-chan wants to weigh everything on its mind

この頃の私達は時間に追われていて何を優先するかとか利害関係ばかりを気にしているような気がする
そういう癖がついているので友人と接していても頭の中でちらっとハカリが動く時がある。あの友人とこの友人の誘い、どっちをとろう等というふうに

全ての人の命は尊いものだと言うけれど、現実の世界では何かどこかが壊れている感じ

hakari-chan はそんなぶっ壊れた世界をはかりなおそうとしているのかもしれない

HAKARI BAKARI

New Paintings by Sleepless Kao
At National Product, May 7 – June 6, 2003

Opening Reception
Thursday, May 9, 8pm – 10pm

From May 7 through June 6, 2003, National Product (1845 Market Street) will present paintings and artwork of Kaori Kasai, an illustrator and painter. HAKARI BAKARI features 15 paintings showing a Japanese pop character named Hakari-chan. Hakari is defined as a Japanese word for “scale and balance” and Bakari as a word for “only.” The suffix “chan” is an endearing term to address someone who is dear to one’s heart. Kaori Kasai described HAKARI BAKARI as “scales in this present world.” Concerned by environmental issues and war conflicts in the world, Kaori uses Hakari-chanas a voice to question human values

National Product: Located on 1845 Market Street near Guerrero, National Product is a unique store for local art and unusual gifts

planet series

about my artwork:

planet series for people still looking around their homeland. i am dreaming, someday i can find my dreamland.

this world has so many issues i can’t help. maybe i have to look my dreamland in another planet…

[alien]

i am alien
i am afraid to walk outside
i am scared someone talk to me

i am strong in my planet
i am wimp in this planet

[Silent]

Can’t hear

anything

your saying

everything

I shout out wholething I don’t want to break my heart I don’t want to smash my head