Dunhill and O'Brien

Inspired by Japanese mountain culture and traditions such as Fujizuka (scaled down models of Fuji made from its ash in the Tokyo region during the Edo period) and Suiseki (highly prized naturally formed mountain shaped stones), Dunhill and O’Brien decided to use their residency at Youkobo Art Space in Tokyo as a ‘research and development’ period devising and making a series of prototype tools and accessories to make ‘Japanese Sculptures’.

The work shown at Youkobo Art Space gallery was the result of a physical and ritualistic process where they attempted to make a sculpture together, entirely modelled and formed by geta (a form of Japanese footwear that is a combination of clog and flipflop) based on topographical information of 2 important mountain ranges in Japan.

The installation comprised of the geta and other implements used to make the work and a video of the process that evidenced the competitive spirit in which it was made.

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