The Art Case Collection - Oto no Kawa
- Art and Music in Perfect Harmony
- Many Artists Inspired by Steinway
- First Art Case Steinway Grand Piano (#1225)
By Chiharu Nishizawa
Model Hamburg O-180 Grand Piano
In commemoration of Steinway & Sons, Japan's 10th anniversary, Steinway has commissioned the first Art Case Piano to come from Asia: "Oto no Kawa," or "River of Sound," created by Japanese artist Chiharu Nishizawa. Based on a Hamburg O-180 grand piano, this instrument is a unique work of art, blending the vision of one of the rising stars of the Japanese art world with the beauty of a Steinway.
Nishizawa describes his work as follows: "...as I was studying Steinway's pianos, I came to feel that their unique form has something in common with classic Japanese art. The people painted on the piano, as on a picture scroll, seem to become aware of the stream of water (akin to the stream of music) painted on the upper side as they progress clockwise, gradually gaining imagination, vitality and serenity from the stream."
Chiharu Nishizawa
Nagano, Japan
Born in 1970 in Nagano, Nishizawa is one of Japan’s most exciting and internationally acclaimed young artists. Following his graduation from the Fine Arts Department of Tokyo Zokei University, he continued to work in the medium of printing but moved to painting as he felt it was quicker at giving form to his thoughts. After a solo exhibition at Tokyo Opera City Gallery and winning an award at VOCA, his work won critical acclaim for its expression of humor combined with unease towards society. In 2005 he held a solo exhibition at Tokyo Gallery, and continues to garner attention with exhibitions in Beijing, Germany, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo and Yokohama. His work is known both for its detailed, model-like depiction of crowds against flat, unreal backgrounds and its classic Japanese influences.