Biography
Kan-ichi Kichikawa a.k.a. Matsuri Taro
Born in Nayoro, Hokkaido, Japan in 1977
Lives and works in Sapporo, Japan
The artist wearing rabbit ears and wrestling costume persistently performs Ukemi (Judo technique), and delivers a prologue in a way just like Tora-san, a popular Japanese movie character. People see sorrow and absurdity of life in such ridiculousness and fictitiousness, and find themselves involved in MATSURI Taro’s world — overflowing energy of his performance inspires the audience beyond the border between fiction and reality. On the major stage of RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL in EZO, MATSURI performed in front of 5,000 people in 2008. He also creates installation and video works through his performance and exchanges with people, and drawings based on and his interest in the physical structure.
Selected Exhibitions
2008
[Solo exhibition] Matsuri Taro no Obon-dayo Zen-in Shugo (Matsuri Taro’ s Obon Festival), CAI 02, Sapporo, Japan
2007
Started his career as a ring announcer for the Hokuto Pro Wrestling
2006
Fix•Mix•Max! The Frontline of Contemporary Art, Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, Sapporo, Japan
2005
Views from Abroad, Stadgalerie, Kiel, Germany
2003
Schau der Meisterklassen, CAI-Contemporary Art International, Hamburg, Germany
A ★ MUSE ★ LAND 2003, Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, Sapporo, Japan
2002
RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL in EZO, Ishikari Bay New Port, Ishikari, Hokkaido, Japan
CITY PROJECT, an official program of DEMETER: Tokachi International Contemporary Art Exhibition, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
