Shimabuku Brings Childlike Minimalism to Milan's ZERO Gallery

Japanese artist Shimabuku (Kobe, 1969) presents 'Moon, Potato, Swan and Sounds' at ZERO gallery in Milan's industrial periphery, running parallel to his largest European exhibition at Museion in Bolzano until September 3. The show marks the long-awaited fruit of a collaboration spanning over twenty years between the artist and the gallery. A gentle musical piece composed by Makoto Nomura welcomes visitors, created from tin cans (Cuban Samba Remix, 2023) that evoke Shimabuku's wonder at rain drumming on metal. Drawings on the walls illustrate a simple analogy between the moon and a potato (Drawings Luna e Patata, 2023). The lower floor features two short films (Swan Goes to the Sea, 2012-2014) resulting from the ongoing partnership between Shimabuku and Nomura, who work together as 'dream builders.' The videos narrate the journey of an old swan-shaped pedal boat found in the artist's childhood haunts, which he followed to the sea. The exhibition transforms ordinary places and objects into poetic experiences, inviting viewers to rediscover a childlike perspective.