Artists

In biology, an ‘umbrella species’ means an invincible predator at the top of the ecological pyramid. The fact that adequate protection of the species can only be achieved by conserving the entire ecosystem contained within its umbrella provides us with an important signpost. The triptych of mountain, river and forest elaborately depicts the complex inter-biological network of Gifu’s rich nature, with the golden eagle at the top. The sculpture at the center of the artwork is imbued with warm light, while the water of the Nagara River, which enriches the area, shimmers in the thin waves. We now place ourselves inside the egg as the origin of life and look at this world as if it were a nested work of art.

Witnessing the destruction of ecosystems and climate catastrophe in a world dominated by the global capitalist economy, we have appealed through art the importance of ‘new ecological ideas’ that change how we consider the environment and depart from anthropocentrism.

Beautiful nature is silenced by dim walls. Mountains are mercilessly cut down, forests are exploited, and rivers and oceans are also victims of our activities. The fact that the fine waves that gently fill the space are, in fact, merely the product of false clean energy reminds us that our environmental efforts are often deceptive.

Can we build a different relationship with the environment that surrounds us?

GADENNE Florian

1987

Born in France

2006

Graduated Lycée JB Corot; Baccalauréat and Diplôme National Supérieure d’Expression plastique (DNSP)

2007

Classe préparatoire artistique at the Atelier de Sèvres, Paris

2011

Bachelor's degree, Ecole Supérieure des Beaux Arts de Nantes Métropole - ESBANM

2013

Master's degree, Ecole Supérieure des Beaux Arts de Nantes Métropole - ESBANM

OKUBO Miki

1984

Born in Hokkaido

2010

MA, Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies (Course of Comparative Studies of Civilizations, Department of Cultural Coexistence), Kyoto University

2010

MA, Department of Plastic Arts, Université Paris 8 (major in contemporary art and new media)

2013

Completed Researcher Program at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, Paris (Forme de la Mobilité, Ecran mobile et récit interactif)

2013

Lecturer, Department of Plastic Arts, Université Paris 8 (to date)

2015

Doctrate, Université Paris 8 (major in esthetics, science and technology of arts, plastic arts and photography)

Awards received（florian gadenne）

2017

Prizewinner, Contemporary Art Festival "Paris Artistes," France

2022

Grand Prix, The 10th 500m Museum Awards

Main exhibition（florian gadenne）

2017

Solo exposition "monades" at La Menuiserie de Therdonne (France)

2019

Collective exposition "Hors d’œuvre" at Centre d’art Contemporain Camille Lambert (France)

Main exhibition（florian gadenne + miki okubo）

2017

Pharmakon: Artistic sensibilisation through medical and ecological approaches

2018

Yukari Matsuda and Florian Gadenne Duo exhibition: "Orbite elliptique"

2020

Pharmakon: Chain Reaction

2021

Pharmakon: Sacrifice to life and death

2022

Pharmakon: Sacrifice to new life

2023

10th Sapporo Odori 500-m Underground Walkway Gallery Exhibition