Maywa Denki’s fish machines

A book of reoccurring nightmare fish that were seen swimming inside the brain of Nobumichi Tosa is only a part of the process of the most recent series presented by electric art ‘company’ Maywa Denki. Reigning out of Japan first by Sakaichi Tosa in 1969 as an electrical parts company, Maywa Denki closed down 10 years later only to be revived by sons Masamichi and Nobumichi in 1993 as an art unit. In 2001 Masamichi retired leaving Nobumichi to take over the role of President.

Maywa Denki’s most recent product is a series of 26 fish-motif nonsense machines and instruments. The name Naki means fish (na-), machine (-ki). These fish swam out from the dreams of Nobumichi who feels is a symbol of his brain. The company also produces books, CDs an array of gadgets that are sometimes accompanied by silly and entertaining concerts that they call “product demonstrations” that nondescriptly sold out a month in advance.

Through their products, presentation, and exhibitions Maywa Denki becomes an elaborate and multifaceted art project. With a background in media arts, Nobumichi Tosa holds tribute to avant-gardist Marcel Duchamp. Similarly to Duchamp, Maywa Denki draws every part of the process into the art. Every individual piece serves its own function and story for the sake of a larger whole. That is what each fish and module represents for whole machine of the Naki Series… that is the brain of Nobumichi Tosa.

Maywa Denki “Nonsense Machines: Naki” Exhibition 23.9.06-13.01.07 is presented by agnès b.’s LIBRARIE GALERIE - 1/F, 18 Wing Fung Street, Wan Chai

www.maywadenki.com