Short Bio
French word “avec” means “couple” in Japan. Imported stuf are mistranslated most of the time in my country. These are based on my life in a good way.
Statement
Hirohi Shafer
I am interested in the visual vocabulary that arises from the similarity between both New York City and Toyko culture. Shared, is the psychological and emotional framework that constitutes a long-standing tradition of the ambitious vigor to create. It is the isolated, displaced, self-world within these two densely populated cities that drive my art practice. The similarities of these cultures ignite my desire to craft and create a reflection of such dedication in creative practices. This is a constant thread within my creativity. My work is also known to embody the satirical impression of the lack of practicality brought on by these cultures. Through the interpretive form of my sculptures, comes freedom which gives way to social curiosity. It is the universalized culture of the people of New York City which continues to serve as the creative platform which drives my ever-evolving sculptural endeavors.
My recent Project “avec” which comes from the French preposition word "avec" (With) meant “Couple” in the ’80s in Japan. Imported words are often mistranslated in my Country. This weird social phenomenon inspires this Project “avec” in Japan.
Mansion(Jp) = Apartment(EN), consent(Jp) = outlet (EN),
Hotchkiss (Jp) = stapler (EN) Etc…..
Pair of Spoons or Plural Spoons are representing the uncomfortable and unusual truths in our lives. Ultimately, my aim through conversational provocative sculpture is to tickle the profound truth out of each person. My sculpture provides the necessary highway for people to discuss such shared perspectives.
North and south on magnets are strange but usually natural science in the textbook. I install magnets in the section of each joint of my sculptures. It makes unbalance positioning also an impossibly small part of the joint. Also, you can’t tell where the position of the magnets is from the surface. The main structure of the piece is composed of maple wood. It allows for a super small size of spoon or thin shape. I couldn’t be happier working with this medium.
Biography
Hiroshi Shafer was born in Tokyo, Japan. He received a BFA from Tokyo Zoukei Art University in Tokyo in 1997, Japan, After I joined in-depend TV production in Tokyo as director of the documentary program till 2004.
I moved to New York in 2004.
I live and work in Brooklyn, NY.
Resume / CV
Solo Show
Zito Studio 2007
EnlishKills Art Gallery.2009/ 2012
Hakusen Gallery Tokyo. 2009 and 2012 will 2021
Parallel Performance Space Brooklyn NY 2019
Maishoku gallery Awaji-shima Japan 2020
Group Show
Flux Factory, Queens. 2008
Fountain Art fair Miami Fl., 2009
Exit Art Gallery, NYC, NY., 2009
EnlishKills Art Gallery.2011
Panoply Performance Laboratory( Parallel Performance)
Brooklyn NY 2015/2016/2019
Makers fair Queens NY 2015
The Other Art Fair Brooklyn 2020
Workshop
NYC park 510 Vandervoort Ave, Brooklyn, NY 2008
God of Love workshop in the Prague Czech Republic 2009
Yogiga Expression Gallery Seoul, South Korea, 2011
Award
The Curators (Contemporary art gallery) The Mask project 3rd prize 2020
THE ARTISTS FORUM FESTIVAL OF THE MOVING IMAGE: 2020
Music Video 1st award
