Capucine Bourcart and Tomo Mori’s artworks require the viewer to look closely and focus on the details that are often subtle. They are 21st century artists, living in Harlem, New York City. Their work has an underlying international fingerprint that reflects cultural heritage, womanhood and contemporary issues.
The exhibition Up-close features 3 series of Bourcart’s work and 2 series of Mori’s revealing 5 distinctly different methods of producing art. The artists are essentially reinventing their own process and developing a new visual vocabulary with each body of work.
Artist Statement – Capucine Bourcart:
The Sandman Series – I fall asleep and let the sandman come to me.
He arrives and takes me gently into my subconscious where dreams are the messengers that populate my night. Still with me when I wake up, the imagery appears discreetly throughout the day and then disappears. There are recurring symbols in my dreams, which is not uncommon, I believe we share a collective subconscious. Capturing these symbols, I have created a unique alphabet. I use this alphabet to transcribe the dreams, writing with sand on canvas fabric of a similar color which echoes their evanescent character. The edge of the canvas is woven with thread to frame each dream.
The Asemic Writing Series – Gives a voice to the materials used to create this work. At the beginning of the process, I select the elements that will be combined with a single sheet of paper. At times, I prepare lines to form the articulation of words that are not actually words.
I channel the materials, and allow them to be my muse. They have so much to reveal—shapes, colors, textures, whether humble like plastic or opulent as gold, they express themselves eloquently. Each artwork is inspired just enough by the classic form of writing to help us understand what the materials are saying.
The Nid-de-poule Series – In my search for colors and textures, I looked down at my feet and I was inspired to create a new series, which I titled “Nid-de-Poule.” The name has a double meaning, in French: it literally means “hen’s nest,” but it is also used for “pothole,” as in those attributes of so many New York City streets. I was pregnant while I was taking photos of painted sections of New York City streets. My body’s physical change made me look down at my feet more frequently, and I discovered to my great surprise the beauty and the richness of the painted pavement. The sculptural round shape of this series of artworks reminds me of both definitions of the term Nid-de-poule. Pregnancy is beautiful but it is a long road until delivery, with lots of unexpected changes and also challenges both mentally and physically. You have to make so many adjustments to your daily life. My Nid-de-poule collages reveal all of these feelings, the desire to nest, the beauty and the danger of carrying a new life that may arise from the process of just living one’s life.
Artist Statement – Tomo Mori:
The Fabric Collage Series – Is presented on stretched canvas and canvas sheets, with hundreds of small squares that are reminiscent of digital pixels that compose an aggregate like a living organism, together representing the harmony and cultural significance of our time. The collage’s focus on the beauty and complexity of multiculturalism and the story of our ancestors’ journey and survival. Included in this exhibition are selected works from several of the artist’s collage series, Fluidity, Sakura Sanctuary and Filling the Gap.
The Rope Series – “I wanted to create an installation series representative of human connections. Ropes came to mind as a symbol of connection, probably because I grew up seeing Shimenawa (sacred ropes) in Japan. I was attracted to their universality and the ancient techniques that go back 28,000 years.“…Tomo Mori
“I’m feeling a strange affinity for rope-making. Even as I recognized that my rope making would not save the world, and I had no idea how I would present them as art, I could not stop making them. I interpret the ancient and universal object, rope, as the symbol of connection. Braiding two opposing forces creates the strength of a rope. The fabrics used are clothes and linens both vintage and of present day, donated by friends from different places. The ropes showcase the complexity of connections by intersecting, tying, passing-through, wrapping around, tangling and dangling.“….Tomo Mori
“I didn’t know until recently that my grandmother’s birth family in Japan owned a rope/twine manufacturing business. One day my mother remarked that it’s interesting that I’m making ropes ‘like I’m supposed to’ – life imitates art.”…Tomo Mori.
Capucine Bourcart & Tomo Mori: Up-Close, curated by Connie Lee, Art Lives Here, will be on view from October 30, 2021 to December 4, 2021, with Opening Reception on October 30 from 2-5pm at JVS Project Space, 181 East 108th Street, NYC.
About Art Lives Here:
Art Lives Here is a non-profit arts organization founded by Connie Lee and Gina Fuentes Walker to create opportunities for under-recognized artists and provides access to art in communities that are often excluded by bringing quality public art installations, exhibitions and performances to people where they live, work and gather with friends and family.
https://www.artlivesherenyc.
@artlivesherenyc on Instagram
@ArtLivesHereNYC on Facebook
@ArtLivesHerenyc on Twitter
About JVS Project Space:
Artist Julio Valdez opened JVS Project Space to collaborate with other professional artists. The street level gallery contributes to the burgeoning East Harlem and Harlem art scene and provides new opportunities for artists to develop and exhibit their work.
JVS Project Space, Gallery hours
Thursday 1:00 – 6:00 pm
Friday 1:00 – 6:00 pm
Saturday 1:00 – 6:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 – 6:00 pm
Or by appointment
Proof of vaccination and masks are required
https://www.jvsprojectspace.
@jvsprojectspace on Instagram
@jvsprojectspace on Facebook