LATEST NEWS FROM RYU GAKU AND TEAM
Oct 2020: Ryu Gaku released a rare public statement via digital radio station, Bitey Foam. See the transcript below.
Hello, friends and followers. It’s been a trying year for many fine artists, especially those who had exhibitions or other kinds of showings planned for the year. With 2021 looking no less uncertain, many have been left wondering if their work can support their basic needs.
Well, I’m here to say that my work hasn’t been adversely affected in the slightest. In fact, business is booming. The reason for this is that I have long anticipated the events of this year – perhaps not down to the letter, but in a general way. You could say I’ve been preparing for this for some time, and I can’t deny that I feel vindicated in having taken some of the steps that I have in order to future-proof my practice.
At the present time, it’s not possible for me to detail all the ways in which I’ve done this, as the success of these measures relies on secrecy. However, I want to encourage fine artists to media and exhibition formats the world has never seen before.
For example, I have been working with electronics and satellite communication for nearly 20 years, and as a result I’m now able to create interactive holograms for multiple applications using machines constructed from everyday objects. Don’t do that, obviously. But do go and figure out a medium you can use without having to rely on a traditional gallery sales system.
I realise this might not be very helpful-sounding, especially to people who are currently undergoing financial hardship and don’t feel they have the capacity to learn two decades’ worth of electronics or equivalent in time to pay their next round of bills. Still, this is something every creative professional ought to be thinking about – I’m just saying it like it is.
Go forth and figure out how to turn an old car radio into a skyscraper-sized hologram. If I can do it, so can you. It’s really not that hard.
Ryu Gaku would like to thank Bitey Foam for their cooperation in getting this message on the air. His current work in progress, Tall Thing, will be revealed in the next 3-5 months.