What kind of country do you have when you hear Venezuela? I didn't know anything other than the other side of the earth, South America, a rich country with a lot of oil reserves. At present, Venezuela is in an economic crisis, and it seems that the people are refugees and those who escape abroad are endless. Takako Kotani is a painter who has lived in Venezuela for 38 years and returned to Japan two years ago. Until October 6th, a solo exhibition was held at a brick gallery in Ginza, and I was able to hear the story.
Mr. Kotani studied abroad in the United States in 1971, married an international student from Venezuela, and lived in the capital city of Caracas since 1977. He lived happily. Since then, the decline in crude oil prices has hit the country's economy, which is 90% of exports, and the import of daily necessities has been delayed.
Since 2014, daily necessities have begun to disappear from the shelves of supermarkets, baby milk has disappeared, most of the 30 million people have food shortages, and adults and children are looking for trash cans in search of food. It seems that People's hearts were quick, security was deteriorating, robbery and murder broke out targeting foreigners, and Mr. Kotani felt danger and returned to Japan in March 2004.
In just 20 years, he witnessed the reality that people who lived normally threaten peace and freedom and even make it difficult to live, and Mr. Kotani said, `` It can happen in any country, The lives of the people are often influenced by politics, and it is important to be interested in politics. "
He says that his mission is to return to Japan and press the switch to turn on electricity, and twist the faucet to get water, and to tell him that he is aware of the current situation in Venezuela. On the other side of the earth, I would like to start by receiving and knowing the "news from Venezuela" on the same earth.
Takako Kotani's solo exhibition The third flight from Venezuela
From October 1 to 6, 2018 11-19 pm (until 17:00 on the last day)
Ginza Brick Gallery 4-13-18 Ginza, Chuo-ku Medical Building 2F
