Izumi Kato and Bosco Sodi: 黙: SPEAKING IN SILENCE
The two-person exhibition 黙: SPEAKING IN SILENCE at Kyoto’s historic Ryosokuin Zen Temple marks the first collaboration between Japanese artist Izumi Kato and Mexican artist Bosco Sodi, co-curated by the artists themselves after 15 years of friendship and creative dialogue.
Despite their distinct geographical and artistic backgrounds, Kato and Sodi both draw on deeply rooted cultural practices, exploring shared themes of death, nature, and primal beliefs.
Kato lives and works between Tokyo and Hong Kong. The artist animates paintings, sculptures and installations with figures that inhabit a liminal space between the physical and spiritual realms.Gathering material from his surroundings, Kato combines painting with stitching, knotting and carving – skills that as an avid fisherman he uses regularly – to create sculptures and installations made from textiles, wood and stone.
Based in Mexico and New York, Sodi uses organic materials such as wood, earth, and stone to create dynamic pieces that resemble fragments of the Earth itself. His work intentionally retains elements and randomness mirroring the natural world with splashes and distortions.
The exhibition will feature around 30 new site-specific artworks, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to experience the serene atmosphere of Ryosokuin, a sub-temple of Kennin-ji, the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, founded in 1202.
Visitors can explore the temple's historic spaces, including the “Hojo” for meditations, the “Daishoin,” once a study for monks, and a scenic garden with a pond. Additionally, tea ceremonies will be held in the “Rinchi-tei,” a tea room once favored by Omura Baiken.
