Special Exhibition
The Thinking Sculptors
— Rafaël Zarka and Horiuti Masakazu: A Dialogue on Geometry and Modernity (Tentative Title)
2027/2/6-2027/5/5
Venue [ Higashiyama Cube ]
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Rafaël Zarka, Paving Space Regular Score W8M1, 2016 Ephemeral Anchoring , exhibition view, Ginza Maison - Fondation d’entreprise Hermès , Tokyo (JP) Courtesy the artist and galerie Mitterrand, Paris
Photo : Nacása & Partners Inc. / Fondation d'entreprise Hermès © Raphaël Zarka / ADAGP, 2026This exhibition explores the creative depths of Horiuti Masakazu (1911-2001), a pioneer of abstract sculpture in Japan, and Raphaël Zarka (1977-), a Paris-based artist who investigates geometric forms, focusing on the shared theme of “The Thinking Sculptor” to unravel the intellectual pursuits of both artists, which transcend national and temporal boundaries.
The display will feature not only completed works but also precious archive materials such as sketches, notebooks, and maquettes, giving visible form to the creative process and revealing how geometric forms are derived from logical thought. In addition, special attention is given to the prolific literary careers of both artists, presenting a “duet of thinking” between the pursuit of form and the process of constructing ideas through words. A key highlight is Zarka’s new body of work, developed through research into Horiuti’s sculptures, which signals a new phase of modernity. This new series represents the culmination of a spiritual dialogue between two artists and an ambitious effort to open new horizons for modernity in contemporary sculpture. Rich in intellectual stimulation, this exhibition reexamines the essence of sculpture and the role of cognition in art.
Rafaël Zarka, Paving Space Regular Score W8M1, 2016 Ephemeral Anchoring , exhibition view, Ginza Maison - Fondation d’entreprise Hermès , Tokyo (JP) Courtesy the artist and galerie Mitterrand, Paris
Photo : Nacása & Partners Inc. / Fondation d'entreprise Hermès © Raphaël Zarka / ADAGP, 2026Information
- Period
- February 6 (Sat.) – May 5 (Wed., National holiday), 2027
- Time
- 10:00〜18:00 (last admission: 17:30)
- Venue
- Higashiyama Cube
- Closed on
- Mondays, except pubic holidays
Artist Profile
Raphaël Zarka (1977-) Raphaël Zarka
Born in France, Zarka graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris (France) and from the Winchester School of Art (UK). His work in the expanded field of sculpture also includes photography, drawing and writing. He is notably the author of three essays on forms and spaces of skateboarding. Zarka’s work method resembles that of a researcher or an archaeologist, he even describes his works as “documentary sculptures”. He is particularly interested by the migration of certain geometric forms often borrowed from the margins of history of art in the fields of science and technology. Zarka is currently pursuing a PhD in practice focused on the evolution of 17th century European freestanding sundials
Raphaël Zarka 2015
Photo : Maxime Verret © ADAGP, Paris - 2025Horiuti Masakazu (1911-2001)
Born in Kyoto, Horiuti was a pioneer of abstract sculpture in Japan. From the 1950s, he developed pure geometric forms based on mathematical thought, logically pursuing the construction of space and planes. His creative process followed a meticulous line of reasoning, leaving behind numerous intricate paper sculptures, maquettes, and notebooks. He is also known for his prolific work as a writer, publishing many works that outlined his unique cognitive approach to sculpture. He also dedicated himself to nurturing future generations while serving as a professor at Kyoto City University of Arts, leaving an indelible mark on the development of postwar modernist sculpture in Japan.
- Organizers: City of Kyoto, Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., The Mainichi Shimbun
- Supported by Villa Kujoyama, Institut français du Japon and Bettencourt Schueller Foundation
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1. Visualizing the Thought Process: Geometric Forms Born from Maquettes and Logic
At the core of this exhibition lies the “thought process that determines form” shared between both artists, transcending both time and nationality. Valuable preparatory works such as sketches, notebooks, and maquettes will be displayed to delve into the process of how geometric forms are born and how they are derived from paper and logical thinking.
2. Both Sculptors and Writers: A “Duet of Thought” through Forms and Words
Both artists are not only sculptors but also prolific writers. This exhibition contrasts their writings and notebooks, written in both Japanese and French, to present their intellectual endeavors through words and visuals. It explores the fundamental question: Why did sculptors, who pursue form, simultaneously need to construct ideas through words?
3. The Fruits of a Dialogue across Time and Space: Zarka’s Ideas on Modernity through Horiuti’s Works
Raphaël Zarka, who is deeply interested in the formative principles of Horiuti’s sculptures and the concept of parallel perspective in Japanese art, presents a new body of work as the outcome of his research. In what ways will the intellectual “dialogue” between the artists, transcending time and national borders, open up new horizons in contemporary sculpture? Visitors can experience the stimulating fruition of this exchange.
