☞ 展期 Duration
2024 / 4 / 20 – 6 / 1

☞ 開幕 Opening
2024 / 4 / 20 (Sat) 3 PM

☞ 地點 Venue
大河美術 RIVER ART GALLERY

☞ 簡介 Introduction
大河美術將舉辦日本藝術家西岡良太最新個展《繁榮之巔或盛怒之極》，繼其前一檔個展《永不滿足の消費渴望》後，不僅以人文關懷角度出發，結合工業化世界元素，更是透過許多繽紛卻駭人的龐大建築與城市造景，堆疊出令人徜徉其中，同時亦不禁毛骨悚然的黑色寓言。童話般獨特的氛圍，將伴隨著畫面各元素間難以忽視的隱密對話，揭示這場文明與環境，早已開啟的長期拉据戰。

未來，爆炸性的人口增長所導致土地和資源的競爭越演越烈，人類將可能被迫使自身的活動範圍推向今日常識所無法想像的方向。人對於擴張活動範圍的野心與決心，歷史上已多有記載，而無論環境的狀況如何，這樣的心態與行為都可能對自然環境構成威脅。西岡良太面對這樣的世界，在作品中不斷向觀眾提問：「難道應該將這樣的我們，這樣的社會，視為繁榮的巔峰嗎？還是應該對這樣的行為感到激憤呢？」

社會並不是永恆不變的，更是處於變動狀態，西岡良太以一種近似於鳥瞰建築結構的方式來表達人類與自然關係的根本問題，觸發觀者的價值觀、道德、可持續發展以及對未來世代的責任議題。藝術家在本次展覽中，透過筆觸細膩又一針見血的系列作品，嚴謹卻俐落地描述並提出未來的社會問題。展覽一開始透過工業機械叢林，帶出繁榮進步的科技，然而隨著展覽推演，詭譎的大型機械生物、磅礡的建築瀑布，敲響人們心中那道暗門，暗示著人類活動對地球生態系統的種種影響。這些正在導致地球生態系統極端化的故事走向，是否為人們所期盼的最終章？展覽的最後亦給予純白且彈性的想像空間，答案則交由觀者定奪。

正如本次展題《繁榮之巔或盛怒之極》點出相當明確的對立面，這是一場關於人類與自然、環境保護與文明進步間的深刻探討。我們正站在人類歷史的最高峰，享受著無盡繁榮的同時，對於用著極端方式削弱地球生態系統而感到狂怒的，或許不只是產生自覺的人類，更是經年累月、傷痕累累的大地。邀請各位一同來到這個獨特的思辨場域，沈浸在西岡良太營造的幻想異境中，重新思考人類與其所創造出的世界之關係。

RIVER ART GALLERY is going to present the latest solo exhibition "The Highest Prosperity or Extremity of Rage" by Japanese artist Ryota Nishioka, following his previous solo exhibition " Craving for Insatiable Consumptive Behavior." Departing from a humanistic perspective and incorporating elements of the industrialized world, this show features vibrant yet eerie depictions of colossal architectural and urban landscapes, forming a dark allegory that is both mesmerizing and spine-chilling to immerse oneself in. The whimsical atmosphere evoked by fairy tales accompanies the undeniable, albeit concealed dialogues among the various elements in the scene, revealing the ongoing struggle between civilization and the environment that has long been underway.

In the face of explosive population growth leading to intensified competition for land and resources in the future, humanity may find itself compelled to expand its sphere of activity in directions previously unimaginable. Throughout history, there have been numerous documented ambitions and determinations for expanding activity scopes. Regardless of the environmental conditions, such attitudes and behaviors can potentially pose threats to the natural environment. When Confronted with such a world, Ryota Nishioka continuously poses the question to viewers through his artwork: "Should we regard ourselves and our society as reaching the pinnacle of prosperity? Or should we feel outraged by such behavior?"

Society is not static but in a constant state of flux, and Ryota Nishioka uses a perspective akin to an aerial view of architectural structures to address fundamental issues regarding the relationship between humanity and nature, prompting discussions on values, ethics, sustainability, and responsibility towards future generations. Through a series of meticulously crafted yet incisive artworks, the artist meticulously yet succinctly describes and presents future societal issues. The exhibition begins with industrial mechanical jungles symbolizing technological progress and prosperity. However, as the exhibition unfolds, enigmatic mechanical behemoths and majestic architectural waterfalls ring the alarm bells within people's hearts, hinting at the various impacts of human activities on the Earth's ecosystems. Will these stories, which are driving the extremization of the Earth's ecosystems, culminate in the anticipated final chapter? At the end of the exhibition, a pure white and flexible space is provided for imaginative exploration, leaving the answers to be determined by the viewers.

As the title "The Highest Prosperity or Extremity of Rage" clearly indicates the opposing forces at play, it is a profound exploration of the relationship between humanity and nature, environmental conservation and civilization's progress. We are currently at the pinnacle of human history, enjoying endless prosperity, yet the rage felt towards the extreme weakening of the Earth's ecosystems may not only be the result of conscious individuals but also the Earth itself, bearing years of scars and wounds. We invite you to join us in this unique realm of contemplation, immersing yourselves in the fantastical realm crafted by Ryota Nishioka, to reconsider the relationship between humanity and the world it has created.

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