IBASHO is proud to present the second solo-exhibition at the gallery of the Dutch artist Casper Faassen. In this exhibition the focus lies on void. The void is being researched in form as well as in content. As we know from Faassen, the works are made up of transparent photographic layers in which the unprinted, emptiness or negative space is emphasised and gains in importance. The void occupies an important place in Japanese philosophy. Thus the silence between two moments, or interspace, is captured in the concept of ‘Ma'. In Japanese Buddhism, void is also named as the fifth element in addition to earth, water, fire and wind.
In the works with the Japanese dancer Madoka Kariya, we see how disappearing and appearing, the moment between these moments, is being caught. Visualised is not only Madoka’s distance from her surroundings, but also how time and space are connected.
In the second series, the theme of the void is elaborated on the basis of nature. Here we recognise scenes from well-known works of Japanese art history such as Hasegawa Tohaku's pine trees and paintings by Sesson Sukei, which served as inspiration.
Faassen (*1975, NL) grew up in Leiden. It was there that he developed his passion for drawing, painting and art. Famous Leiden masters – Gerrit Dou (1613-1675), Jan Steen (1625-1679) and Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) – were his inspiration. After leaving high school Faassen studied at the University of Amsterdam. He continued to pursue his artistic ambitions, painting daily and thus compiling an impressive oeuvre.
Characteristic of Faassen’s works is his continued innovative utilisation of material, techniques and disciplines. In addition to painting and graphic art, Faassen devotes much of his time to the medium of photography. Reflecting on his entire oeuvre, themes such as transience and beauty, form the basis of his work. In Faassen’s work the impermanence is not only expressed by the disappearance of images, but also by the addition of a layer of craquelure. The crazing and cracks infer the influence of the hands of time. This emphasises the contrast between the beauty of the images and the inevitability of decay.
Faassen’s work has been exhibited in many solo and group exhibitions in Europe and beyond. He was awarded Talent of the Year in the Dutch national ‘Artist of the Year‘ competition in 2007. His work is acquired by both private and public collections such as Museum de Lakenhal, Leiden, Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem, the Royal Library, The Hague, Haagsch Historisch Museum, The Hague. In 2019 Faassen won the ALPA Award at Photo Basel.
Artists: Casper Faassen
