David Umemoto‘s artistic approach is highly regulated, codified and rigorous. Each one of his creations seamlessly fits into a conceptual and constructive system that has been thoroughly elaborated. In this system, each work of art is decomposed into modular sections that can then be reorganized and reused to create new works.
Every “module” of all the works can be interconnected physically or conceptually. Sometimes the creations take shape by spontaneous generation, and other times by transformational succession. By a series of dissections, transformations, repetitions, aggregations, they give birth to other works.
This scalable modular building system is based on the theory that there is a universal order. Molecules, cycles, ecosystems, the order is the norm and chaos an accident. Everything is connected, organized and structured; it is only a matter of place, time and scale.
Thus, we can speak of a cellular system rather than modular elements that can not only be interchanged but also transformed. They obey rules in a rigid frame but with an organic development. Umemoto’s work is therefore an exploration of the patterns and codes, sometimes obvious, sometimes obscure, that govern our environment.
David Umemoto holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the School of Architecture of Université Laval. Over the past 15 years, he has worked on many international projects spanning the fields of art, design and architecture. In 2010 he spent a year in Asia to develop and experiment woodworking, engraving, sculpture and metal casting techniques.
Images courtesy of David Umemoto
Discover: www.davidumemoto.com