Gallery Picks for the Month (Catalogue Publication: Bunpei Kado Housing)

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Housing series　Catalogue

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The "Housing" series by artist Bunpei Kado began when he moved from his hometown in Fukui Prefecture to Tokyo to go to university. The drastic contrast between the spacious living environments of the countryside and the compact, often vertical housing in the city left a strong impression on him. This initial sense of discomfort and questioning eventually evolved into a creative inquiry into the very meaning of “dwelling” in the modern world. Over the years, the "Housing" series has grown beyond individual works into a wide-ranging body of art encompassing multiple sub-series, each exploring the theme through different formats and perspectives. Today, it stands as one of Kado’s most important and representative series. This catalogue presents a broad selection of works from the "Housing" series, while also offering more than just visual documentation—it delves deeply into the artist’s evolving thoughts and reflections on the idea of housing, tracing how his relationship with the concept has developed over time.

This catalogue also features a special dialogue between Bunpei Kado and Terunobu Fujimori—renowned architect and architectural historian—which offers rare and insightful perspectives on Kado’s creative process, the emotions behind his work, and the ideas embedded in each piece. In addition, celebrated architectural historian and critic Taro Igarashi has contributed a newly written essay for this publication, providing an expanded interpretation of the ”Housing" series through broader architectural and socio-cultural contexts.

Bridging art, architecture, and the concept of "dwelling," this catalogue serves as an invaluable resource for gaining a deeper understanding of Bunpei Kado’s artistic universe. We invite you to explore this compelling and thought-provoking publication.

Bunpei Kado　Housing

Artist comment
I am pleased to present this collection of works from my Housing series, which I have been continuously creating from the beginning of my career as an artist to the present day.
I was born and raised in a small mountain village in Fukui Prefecture, where detached houses stood isolated with few neighboring buildings. When I moved to Tokyo for university, I was deeply struck by the dense urban environment—the narrow, tightly packed buildings and the delicate territorial boundaries between residents. This experience became the starting point for this series.
Nearly 30 years have passed since then. As I continue to witness the ever-changing landscape of nature, resources, population, and the passage of time, I find myself drawn to the theme of "houses" and compelled to explore it further through my work.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mr. Terunobu Fujimori for graciously agreeing to a conversation and to Mr. Taro Igarashi for his insightful accompanying text. Their contributions have greatly enriched this publication.
Bunpei Kado

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Housing series / Works

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Here are two representative works from Bunpei Kado’s "Housing" series that offer a glimpse into the breadth of his exploration.

The first work draws inspiration from climbing holds used in bouldering. By reimagining these holds as elements of daily life, Kado metaphorically expresses the precarious nature of modern living—where individuals must maintain balance and stability within increasingly limited and unstable living spaces. Mounted on walls, the piece serves as a visual and conceptual reflection on the challenges of contemporary urban habitation.

Bunpei Kado《Floating Island Circle #05》2024 / Plywood, paint on MDF / Φ430×90mm [ASK]

The second work features a bear figurine placed inside a glass house structure and is closely connected to Kado’s "Memory of the Wild" series. The piece suggests that the wood, now transformed into a bear sculpture, retains a memory of the time when it once stood rooted in the earth. This memory is symbolically expressed through a small sprout emerging from the figurine. Quietly poetic, the work invites reflection on the relationship between nature and human life, evoking the lingering presence of the natural world within human-made forms.

Bunpei Kado《Memory of the Wild - Bear＿HOME #01》2024 / Bear figurine, iron, lead, washi paper, glass, solder / 350×250×200mm [ASK]

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Solo Exhibition "DREAM HOUSE"

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From May 15 to August 14, 2025, MetaGallery LaLuna in Seoul, South Korea, will host Bunpei Kado’s first solo exhibition in Korea, titled "DREAM HOUSE." This exhibition focuses on the "Housing" series introduced earlier and offers a multifaceted opportunity to explore Kado’s ongoing exploration of the theme of "living spaces."

Through new and recent pieces, viewers are invited to experience Kado’s unique perspective and reflections on the concept of the “house” as a space and symbol. The exhibition thoughtfully engages with the instability and transience of contemporary living environments, prompting us to reconsider what it means to “live” in today’s world. We warmly invite you to take this opportunity to explore his work.

■ Exhibition Information
Bunpei Kado Solo Exhibition
Exhibition Title: DREAM HOUSE
Dates: May 15 (Thu) – Aug 14 (Thu), 2025
Closed on Sundays and Mondays
Venue: Meta Gallery La Luna
41, Dosan-daero 85-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact: +82 2-442-9955
Website

MetaGallery LaLuna Website