JPS Gallery is proud to present "Cartography of Smoke", an upcoming mini showcase by Tokyo-based artist Takeshi Ikeda, hosted at Kinsman. In this profound new exhibition, Takeshi visualises the invisible structures that lie beneath the surface of luxury—the unspoken layers of history, global trade, bodily labour, and cultural memory.

Unearthing the Architecture of Value

Throughout "Cartography of Smoke", Takeshi presents a cohesive and layered exploration of how value is constructed, dismantled, and reborn over time. He invites viewers to observe the cyclical nature of history and poses a compelling question: "Where does the origin of the value we unconsciously believe in truly reside?" He maps the genealogy of value—from the emergence of global exchange and the shadows of colonialism dating back to 1492, to the institutionalisation of modern brands. By elevating these fragmented histories into altars of "cultural gravity," Takeshi shows that a "brand" is never a fixed icon but a dynamic, continuously emerging phenomenon born of countless memories.

The Craft of Structural Reassembly

Takeshi's creative process is an act of meticulous deconstruction and reassembly. Moving seamlessly between two-dimensional collages, three-dimensional woven blocks, and structural installations, his practice starts with extracting the visual information and historical sensibilities inherent in his chosen materials.

While the exhibition heavily features Cuban cigar ribbons, emblems, and copper rivets, Takeshi's broader practice utilises a rich, cross-cultural tapestry of media, including tobacco boxes, silk and satin ribbons, washi paper, and traditional Japanese textiles such as Nishijin-ori obi and kimono.

Drawing heavily on his engineering background and his family's patchwork-quilting heritage, Takeshi treats these materials not as decorative elements but as essential structural units. He physically cuts, fragments, and layers authoritative symbols, breaking them down into dots and micro-weaves. These fragments are then meticulously bound together using lattice frameworks and the rhythmic placement of copper studs, physically manifesting the invisible labour and soundless rules that support culture and luxury.