237. HASHIMOTO Tomonari 橋本知成, 1990- , “untitled,” sphere with artist-applied kintsugi 金継ぎ (gold welding), 2023
For Hashimoto and his methods, see item no. 236.
Clay color unknown. Surface colors are mostly in the blue ranges, with some browns, blacks, grays, and areas of metallic sheen. Weight: 4.6 kg (10.2 lb). Diameter: 26 cm (10-1/4 in).
This is a fairly even, hollow sphere. The base is slightly flattened and has a hole in the middle to allow heated air to escape during the firings. The surface on the top hemisphere is relatively smooth; that on the bottom hemisphere is much rougher due to ash deposits during the second firing.
Either during or after the second firing, the piece broke in two about a third of the way down. Hashimoto repaired it using the kintsugi 金継ぎ (gold welding) technique, creating a golden line meandering around the sphere.
The colors of this depend on the lighting. The predominant color is blue, in various shades, but these can appear black in some light.
Hashimoto’s spheres are tremendous technical feats. The randomness of the kintsugi line, however, adds further dimensions to this piece.
This came in a wooden box, inscribed by the artist, "Untitled" and "Tomonari," followed by his seal stamped in red.
Purchased from the Kara Monzen Gallery in Kyoto, Japan, in November 2023. The Gallery hosted a solo exhibition of Hashimoto’s works in November-December 2023. The Gallery included a copy of the exhibition booklet with the work and a plastic ring to serve as a base supporting the sphere when displayed.
