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Almine Rech

Hajime Sorayama CYBER LADIES’ WORLD

Apr 29 — May 28, 2022 | Paris, Turenne
Opening on April 29th, from 11 am to 8 pm. Inquire about the exhibition: inquiries@alminerech.com The gallery is open from 11 am until 7 pm.

CYBER LADIES’ WORLD

Hajime Sorayama interviewed by Jérôme Sans
January 2022


Jérôme Sans: You started your career in advertising, then worked in illustration, art, fashion, design, and even technology, having collaborated with Sony to make a robotic pet. What would you say your main occupation is?

Hajime Sorayama: I work in entertainment.  I never think of myself as an artist as I don’t know what “art” is.

 

JS: When did you start working on “feminine cyborgs” or “sexy robots”? The theme seems to be more and more relevant in our increasingly technological society.

HS: I painted the first pinup robot in 1980. It was commissioned work for the Japanese whisky, Suntory.

 

JS: While robots are usually seen as machines designed for human consumption, you portray them with highly human qualities through eroticization. Where does the idea come from?

HS: I’ve been interested in machines and metal since I was child.  I am addicted to the shine of metal. As I was born male, the female body provides aesthetic qualities which I never bore of. It’s like a natural or primitive emotion that was handed down from my ancestors 200,000 years ago.

 

JS: There is a unique closeness that unites Japanese people and technology, a true symbiosis leading to technology infiltrating every corner of Japanese society. Do you think that your work is influenced by the digital culture that is very present in Japan and in Asia in general?

HS: I’m not sure how to answer that, but when I collaborated with Kim Jones for Dior, people started telling me my work represented Japanese culture, which is ironic because my family are ashamed of me.

Press release

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  • lire ou télécharger en Français

Selected artworks

  • Hajime Sorayama,                                      Untitled, 2021

    Hajime Sorayama Untitled, 2021

    Acrylic, digital print on canvas
    197 x 139 cm
    77 1/2 x 54 1/2 in

  • Hajime Sorayama,                                      Untitled, 2021

    Hajime Sorayama Untitled, 2021

    Acrylic, digital print on canvas
    197 x 139 cm
    77 1/2 x 54 1/2 in

  • Hajime Sorayama,                                      Untitled_Sexy Robot Number 1, 2022

    Hajime Sorayama Untitled_Sexy Robot Number 1, 2022

    Aluminum, glass, stainless steel, steel
    Edition 1/5 + 2APs
    240 x 133 x 75 cm
    94 1/2 x 52 1/2 x 29 1/2 in

  • Hajime Sorayama,                                      Untitled, 2021

    Hajime Sorayama Untitled, 2021

    Acrylic, digital print on canvas
    197 x 139 cm
    77 1/2 x 54 1/2 in

  • Hajime Sorayama,                                      Untitled, 2021

    Hajime Sorayama Untitled, 2021

    Acrylic, digital print on canvas
    197 x 139 cm
    77 1/2 x 54 1/2 in

  • Hajime Sorayama,                                      Untitled, 2021

    Hajime Sorayama Untitled, 2021

    Acrylic, digital print on canvas
    197 x 139 cm
    77 1/2 x 54 1/2 in

  • Hajime Sorayama,                                      Untitled, 2021

    Hajime Sorayama Untitled, 2021

    Acrylic, digital print on canvas
    197 x 139 cm
    77 1/2 x 54 1/2 in

  • Hajime Sorayama,                                      Sexy Robot Floating Bronze, 2021

    Hajime Sorayama Sexy Robot Floating Bronze, 2021

    Edition 2/3 + 2 AP
    Bronze, glass, brass, steel
    250 x 120 x 120 cm
    98 1/2 x 47 1/2 x 47 1/2 in

  • Hajime Sorayama,                                      Untitled_Sexy Robot type II floating, 2022

    Hajime Sorayama Untitled_Sexy Robot type II floating, 2022

    Edition 1/15
    UV curable resin, plexiglass, silver plating, light-emitting
    diode, stainless steel, steel
    270 x 103 x 108 cm
    106 1/2 x 40 1/2 x 42 1/2 in

  • Hajime Sorayama,                                      Untitled_Sexy Robot type II floating, 2022

    Hajime Sorayama Untitled_Sexy Robot type II floating, 2022

    Edition 2/15
    UV curable resin, plexiglass, silver plating, light-emitting
    diode, stainless steel, steel
    270 x 103 x 108 cm
    106 1/2 x 40 1/2 x 42 1/2 in

  • Hajime Sorayama,                                      Untitled_Sexy Robot type II floating, 2022

    Hajime Sorayama Untitled_Sexy Robot type II floating, 2022

    Edition 3/15
    UV curable resin, plexiglass, silver plating, light-emitting
    diode, stainless steel, steel
    270 x 103 x 108 cm
    106 1/2 x 40 1/2 x 42 1/2 in

  • Hajime Sorayama,                                      Untitled_Sexy Robot type II floating, 2022

    Hajime Sorayama Untitled_Sexy Robot type II floating, 2022

    Edition 4/15
    UV curable resin, plexiglass, silver plating, light-emitting
    diode, stainless steel, steel
    270 x 103 x 108 cm
    106 1/2 x 40 1/2 x 42 1/2 in