Tokonoma Workshop reinterprets the traditional Japanese, raised, shallow alcove space used to display art objects such as hanging scrolls (掛け軸 kakejiku), ikebana flower arrangements, incense burners, or fine art ceramics. The exhibition aims to explore the peculiar phenomenon of this architectural trope which incorporates a seasonal curatorial practice into “good homes” as part of Japanese family life. 

Tokonoma Workshop is a chance to show off unexpected pairings by artists from our program with works by artists based in Los Angeles and beyond.  In the gallery, 2D work and 3D works come together with seasonal, natural elements and ikebana arrangements made by Kyoko Oshiro. Not all domestic tokonomas are havens of neat arrangements, we’ve seen chaotic tokonoma in Japanese homes. You could interpret those tokonoma as our insane junk drawers - a place that ends up with pile ups of works, old magazines, vintage TVs not working or dead plants. There will be a variety of tonokoma spaces at Nonaka-Hill on exhibit, as the weeks pass, the gallery team will update and shift elements, subtracting and adding works. Initially elegant arrangements may naturally arrive at disarray - just like at any “good home.”