kohei nawa adds deer, ducky and more to his pixcell lineup at pace gallery

these bubbly pixelations —on display in palo alto’s pace gallery — were created by japanese artist, kohei nawa for his first solo U.S. exhibition, trans-figure. open through february 25, the exhibit consists of several series by nawa: direction, ether, pixcell, and villus.

pixcell-penguin, 2017 | mixed media | 435 mm x 400 mm x 403 mm (17-1/8″ x 15-3/4″ x 15-7/8″) | no. 68534
image by nobutada omote | sandwich © kohei nawa, courtesy pace gallery

the first few images, here, (including the life-sized taxidermic deer sculpture) is part of the pixcell series, which is meant to challenge viewers’ perceptions and blur the lines between the virtual and the real. apporpriately, the early process for these physical statues began digitally, online. typically, nawa first sifts through images. then, he sources the actual, tangible objects portrayed in those images — taxidermic penguins, angel statuettes, bears, little duckies — and pixelates them with glass bead cells. in the end, it creates a lens effect; multiple details are highlighted simultaneously. the process is similar to his villus series, where nawa applies polyurethane foam to the surface of his pieces. direction and ether ‘explores the physical manifestations of gravity.’

pixcell-toy-angel, 2017 | mixed media | 323 mm x 275 mm x 275 mm (12-11/16″ x 10-13/16″ x 10- 13/16″) | no. 68538
image by nobutada omote | sandwich © kohei nawa, courtesy pace gallery

whether he is turning viscous liquids into solids, or manipulating the surface irregularities of contours, his pieces always turn out fluid and dynamic — explorative of digital and tangible parallels. on display until february 25 at pace gallery, trans-figure is a showcase of nawa’s artistic range and powerful voice.

pixcell-duckling, 2017 | mixed media | 116 mm x 150 mm x 150 mm (4-9/16″ x 5-7/8″ x 5-7/8″) | no. 68540
image by nobutada omote | sandwich © kohei nawa, courtesy pace gallery

pixcell-shoney bear, 2017 | mixed media | 224 mm x 250 mm x 250 mm (8-13/16″ x 9-13/16″ x 9- 13/16″) | no. 68546
image by nobutada omote | sandwich © kohei nawa, courtesy pace gallery

pixcell-pinocchio, 2017 | mixed media | 198 mm x 96 mm x 74 mm (7-13/16″ x 3-3/4″ x 2-15/16″) | no. 68549
image by nobutada omote | sandwich © kohei nawa, courtesy pace gallery

pixcell-maral deer, 2017 | mixed media | no. 6853
1,717 mm x 2,017 mm x 940 mm (67-5/8″ x 79-7/16″ x 37″) body dimensions
960 mm x 1,190 mm x 1,026 mm (37-13/16″ x 46-7/8″ x 40- 3/8″) horn dimensions
image by nobutada omote | sandwich © kohei nawa, courtesy pace gallery

image by JKA photography, courtesy pace gallery © kohei nawa

image by JKA photography, courtesy pace gallery © kohei nawa

image by JKA photography, courtesy pace gallery © kohei nawa

image by JKA photography, courtesy pace gallery © kohei nawa

image by JKA photography, courtesy pace gallery © kohei nawa

image by JKA photography, courtesy pace gallery © kohei nawa

particle-toy-rabbit#2, 2017 | mixed media | 348 mm x 215 mm x 422 mm (13-11/16″ x 8-7/16″ x 16- 5/8″) | no. 68532
image by nobutada omote | sandwich © kohei nawa, courtesy pace gallery

particle-rocking horse, 2017 | mixed media | 460 mm x 715 mm x 265 mm (18-1/8″ x 28-1/8″ x 10-7/16″) | no. 68543
image by nobutada omote | sandwich © kohei nawa, courtesy pace gallery

particle-kewpie, 2017 | mixed media | 208 mm x 170 mm x 85 mm (8-3/16″ x 6-11/16″ x 3-3/8″) | no. 68539
image by nobutada omote | sandwich © kohei nawa, courtesy pace gallery