I've just been to the Suntory Museum Tenpozan to see a preview of the much-talked-about "Gundam: Generating Futures" exhibition (14 July; the exhibition runs until 31 August). Having just featured Gundam in issue no. 8 of ART iT, which is currently on sale, I understood the basic concepts of the exhibition and had also briefly seen photographs of the works. But the real thing is something else. I was overwhelmed by the power of the exhibition.

The anime "Mobile Suit Gundam", which forms the theme of the exhibition, was first broadcast in 1979-80. It presents a view of the world completely different from a mere tale of poetic justice, which greatly influenced the spiritual formation of the so-called "Gundam generation". Each work has been thought through long and hard by the 15 groups of 23 artists born between 1964 and 1975, making them all bonafide Gundam-generation members. They are proof that this generation has been taught by Gundam the idea that various values which have until now been accepted as being antithetical — not only good and evil, but also war and peace, love and hate, life and death — are not necessarily opposed to each other, but sometimes coexist, mix together and influence each other. There are also more than a few people who became conscious of sex for the first time from this TV program.

Nishio Yasuyuki and "Crash Sayla Mass"
(c) Sotsu Agency・ Sunrise
(c) 2005 Nishio Yasuyuki

From among them, the works of Nishio Yasuyuki and Odani Motohiko are outstanding. Nishio’s "Crash Sayla Mass" is a huge statue of 280 x 400 x 600cm. The sight of this statue on all fours, looking ahead fixedly and waving a clenched fist is filled with a strange power and eroticism. As in his past works, Nishio uses a technique of making clay molds by hand, pouring plaster into the molds and assembling the parts; but this thing is colossal, and he was apparently stuck on the idea of building a large cockpit in the stomach. According to the artist, "the internal organs can also be seen if you insert a gastrocamera through the mouth." In a conversation recorded in ART iT, Yamamoto Yuko who represents the Yamamoto Gendai gallery to which Nishio belongs said that, "Nishio Yasuyuki’s ideal of a female is a 50-meter-tall giant girl", but this work can be described unmistakably as his signature work to date that has best embodied the artist’s desire.

Odani Motohiko and "Whole Lotta Love"
(c) Sotsu Agency・ Sunrise
(c) 2005 Odani Motohiko

Odani’s contribution is a photographic series titled "Whole Lotta Love", a laborious work that took him twice to the Taklamakan Desert to take photographs. Without giving too much away, let me just say that the photograph published in ART iT is a "detail", and at that, one panel of a triptych. As for what’s on the other panels, I urge you to see the show to find out, but life and death and eroticism drift thickly, plainly, and delicately in every detail. [I don't know about God, but life and death (and sex) dwell in the details.] I think it is an outstanding work at an extremely high level technically.

Director Tomino Yoshiyuki

In a speech at a reception, the parent of "Mobile Suit Gundam", Tomino Yoshiyuki, while giving the moderately candid advice that, "I'm sure each has its own idea and spirit, but it’s meaningless if (the work) is not enjoyed (by the audience), and in that respect some may still have a way to go", approved it by saying "overall, I give it full marks". After coming up with the concepts of "war" and "evolution" and adding the theme "life" upon meeting with Tomino, Azumaya Takashi, the curator was gently nodding to each and every word. Incidentally, Azumaya, himself a member of the Gundam generation, demanded that the all-male group of artists remain celibate until their work was completed (laugh). He apparently wanted to make them recall their time as callow youths, and judging from the brilliant outcome of the show, it seems to have been worth the effort.

The Suntory Museum is not an art museum that is necessarily easy to use. There were actually some places in the displaying of the works that could be regarded as "not quite right for the setting". But passion covers the flaws in the details. Although also written in the ART iT message from the editor, therein lies the basic point of difference with "The Doraemon" and the "Kitty Ex" exhibitions. Although passion alone may not be enough, it is important in planning a character-related exhibition firstly to determine to what degree the artists have contemplated the characters. Whether they like it or not, the artists who participated in "The Doraemon" and the "Kitty Ex" shows should look at the Gundam exhibition and examine themselves deeply.

Stacks of ART iT in the museum shop. Thanks!

The Gundam-generation editorial and design staff produced the special feature of ART iT with great enthusiasm (obsession?). Does life and death makes an appearance in the detail? It’s not the case that each work of the Gundam show meets everyone’s expectations but that they are overflowing with love and passion is guaranteed. And let’s face it, an exhibition or magazine (and life itself) without love and passion is a pretty joyless pursuit.