Once in a Life – Encounters with Nara 《一期一會：奈良美智》

Title (English): Once in a Life – Encounters with Nara
Title (Chinese): 一期一會：奈良美智
ISBN: 978-988-12272-5-6
Size: 240mm x 180mm portrait
Price: HKD$400
Binding: Section sewn in 16, case-in square back, H&T band, jacketed
Publisher: Asia Society Hong Kong Center

Synopsis: Yoshitomo Nara is recognized as one of the most influential artists of the day. His works are very accessible, so much so that at times we do not look hard enough because we feel we understand them already. But how much do we really know about his angry, yet cute looking little girls? How is it that we all feel we recognize the emotions being portrayed? What makes his art so relevant to such a wide range of viewers?

Following from Asia Society Hong Kong Center’s preceding exhibition, Life is Only One: Yoshitomo Nara, this publication is not only a compilation of the works in the exhibition, but also an extension with the inclusion of other works and essays that present the artist and his art from his life experiences and memories. Extra thoughts into his inspirations are offered by looking at his childhood, his time in Germany, his love for music, and the aftermath of the 2011 Earthquake. Like small pieces of a puzzle, they piece together little-known stories about the artist and above all his thoughts on life.

奈良美智被公認為當代最具影響力的藝術家之一。他的作品十分平易近人，以致我們有時會因自以為完全理解他的創作而看得不夠仔細。但對於他筆下憤世卻可愛小女孩們，我們又了解多少呢？我們為何會自覺能夠辨識他所描繪的種種情緒？又是甚麽讓奈良的藝術能與廣泛的觀衆產生共鳴？

繼亞洲協會香港中心此前展覽「無常人生：奈良美智」後，本書收錄了其他在展覽以外的作品，以及幾篇從奈良的人生經歷和回憶探討其創作的文章。透過細看藝術家的童年、他在德國的經歷、對音樂的熱愛和2011年東日本大震災的影響，提出了更多關於奈良的藝術創作的想法。猶如拼圖一般，奈良的人生點滴一塊一塊地拼湊出鮮為人知的故事，以及他對人生的思考。