Masato Nakamura regularly displays his art in unorthodox sites, so exhibiting in the Navin Gallery Bangkok was an easy transition for the Japanese artist. For the Origin of Flavor, Nakamura plays with Japanese influences to Thai culture and the manner by which such imports are assimilated. Atop bright yellow seat covers, the artist placed cuddly toys of the Japanese cartoon character Doraemon, but because they are local counterfeits, are yellow and not the original blue. Against this is a string of Doraemon shaped plastic containers normally used for ice-cream, yet Nakamura has filled them with a particular brand of Japanese MSG, Ajinomoto, which has become a mainstay of the Thai diet. On the taxi’s roof, the artist replaces the regular sign light with an illuminated keyhole symbol, which in Japan is an emblem from the Emperor’s tomb, though here it indicates something hidden inside the vehicle. The 40-day mobile exhibition was launched in a parking lot at Siam Square, and bustling shopping enclave that draws heavily from Japanese pop culture.   

Gallery

Further Reading

• Origin of Flavor