Examples of Objects on Display

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  Kuroda Taizo

  TSUBO (Vase)
  2019
  White porcelain
  Height 26.9 cm, width 21.2 cm
  The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka (gift of Mr. Son Taizo)
  Accession No. 05655
  
  Photograph by T. MINAMOTO

  At around the age of forty five, when he began to produce white porcelain, Kuroda Taizo determined the essential elements needed in his white porcelain works: the work must be “wheel-thrown,” must have a “vessel” form and must be “monochrome.” As a lump of clay is formed on the potter’s wheel, it autonomously becomes a rotating body with walls standing upright—a form to be called a “vessel.” In Kuroda’s view, though, a vessel is not necessarily a practical container but an artistic, abstract form. This work, having a small mouth and a swollen shoulder, its body tapering toward the bottom, is known as Kuroda’s meiping vase. The carefully burnished, smooth surface and the well-proportioned body having an elegant, generous curve well exemplify the characteristics of Kuroda’s works.

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  Kuroda Taizo

  TSUBO (Vase)
  2019
  White porcelain
  Height 29.8 cm, width 12.6 cm
  The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka (gift of Mr. Toda Hiroshi)
  Accession No. 05659
  
  Photograph by T. MINAMOTO

  This work has a cylindrical body with a conical top, a unique form producing a sharp impression. The thin mouth rim, producing a gentle undulation, has been delicately potted. Kuroda mentions that he has been fascinated by “the material with which I can draw a line in the air like magic, by using my own hands, fingers and the potter’s wheel.” He compares the act of throwing to “creating a one-time-only abstract painting in the air.” Although at first glance this work seems to have a geometric, minimalist form, the wheel marks and traces of burnishing on the surface make one realize the rich texture and the subtle nuance embedded in the body.

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  Kuroda Taizo

  TSUBO (Vase)
  2019
  White porcelain
  Height 15.1 cm, diameter 16.5 cm
  Ise Cultural Foundation
  
  Photograph by T. MINAMOTO

  Although this conical work with a hollow interior and a small mouth at the top may be categorized as a “vessel”, it is a rare wheel-thrown form. While a cone is triangular when viewed from the side, it is a three-dimensional object consisting of a curved surface. The vessel, made of simple components, interacts with the space and anything adjoining it, encouraging unfettered interpretation to the viewers. Kuroda says, “I want to pursue truth from the methodology called ‘white porcelain’.” Unlike the approach of contemporary art, which reflects social phenomena, Kuroda's creative activities may be an attempt to express his “quest for truth” using a visual form.

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  Kuroda Taizo

  WARE-DAIZARA (Cracked Stand)
  2018
  White porcelain
  Height 22.5 cm, width 35.6 cm
  Ise Cultural Foundation
  
  Photograph by T. MINAMOTO

  This work has a small foot from which the walls make a gentle, elegant curve as they open widely upwards, raising its center of gravity and producing a sense of lightness and floating feeling. A large crack was deliberately made into the top section before firing. While it reminds one of particular Iga water jars known as Yaburebukuro (‘burst bag’) that display bold cracks, it is also in line with the idea of Lucio Fontana, who sought “to create a new dimension in art and connect with the universe” by producing his series of works Concetto Spaziale (‘Spatial Concept’). The sharp, powerful slash made as if breaking through the tranquil atmosphere of the work may be an attempt by the artist to seek an approach contrary to his other works.

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  Kuroda Taizo

  ENTO (Cylindrical Vessel)
  2016
  White porcelain
  High 7.8 cm, width 9.0 cm
  Ise Cultural Foundation
  
  Photograph by T. MINAMOTO

  Ento or cylindrical form is one of the major forms of Kuroda’s works. Cylinders are simple forms consisting of circles and straight lines produced by raising the walls vertically, using the rotary motion of the potter’s wheel. The extremely thin mouth rim was made by low-speed rotation of the potter’s wheel. The unglazed surface was carefully burnished. It can be said that this is an appropriate size of a wheel-thrown, handmade work that enables maintenance of the atmosphere of tension. The Ento is embedded with Kuroda’s determination to fulfill his responsibilities as an artist to “represent the invisible by a visible work.” The elegant Ento is a beautiful embodiment of the artist’s ideal.

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  The gallery designed by Ando Tadao

  Photograph by T. MINAMOTO

  Visitors can also enjoy the video showing the artist’s studio surrounded by beautiful nature located in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Adjacent to the studio is the gallery, designed by the renowned architect Ando Tadao, which is also introduced in the video with the display of Kuroda’s works.