Hinoki

"Ten years ago, while driving up the central coast of California, I spotted a fallen tree in a meadow just off the highway. I was instantly drawn to it. It was not only a beautiful log, but to my eyes, it was perfectly embedded in the meadow where it had fallen decades earlier. Pressure from the weather, insects, ultraviolet radiation, and gravity were evident. Total collapse appeared to be no more than a handful of years away. I was inspired to make a sculpture and studied many other logs, but I realized that I was only interested in this particular one.

At one point, I determined that its armature could be its pneuma, the Greek word for breath, wind, or life. Later, I considered making an inflatable sculpture but realized that the tailoring of the form would bring an unwanted complexity to the surface. It then struck me that the breath or life of the sculpture could be manifested in the very act of sculpting. Making a wood carving of the log by starting from the inside and working my way out would bring a trajectory of life and intentionality to this great fallen tree. With several friends, I transported the tree, cut apart by a chainsaw, back to my Los Angeles studio. Silicone molds were taken and a fiberglass version of the log was reconstructed. This was sent to Osaka, Japan, where master woodworker Yuboku Mukoyoshi and his apprentices carved my vision into reality using Japanese cypress (hinoki). I was drawn to the woodworkers because of their tradition of copying work that is beyond restoration. In Japan, when an old temple or Buddha can no longer be maintained, it is remade. I visited Japan often and had a difficult time bringing this work to completion and allowing it to go out into the world. When I asked Mr. Mukoyoshi about the wood and how it would behave over time, he told me that the wood would be fine for 400 years and then it would go into a crisis; after two hundred years of splitting and cracking, it would go into slow decline for another 400 years. I realized then that the wood, like the original log, had a life of its own, and I was finally able to let my project go and hopefully breathe life into the world that surrounds it."

— Charles Ray

Explore 'Hinoki,' a captivating artwork that embodies the intricate beauty of its namesake - the revered Japanese cypress tree. Immerse yourself in its enigmatic allure and meticulous craftsmanship that bridges the cultural divide between East and West. This piece not only conveys a mastery of sculptural technique but also evokes the serene and spiritual qualities inherent in its organic form. Admired for its homage to traditional reverence and modern artistic expression, 'Hinoki' stands as a testament to timeless natural beauty. As you engage with this piece, you are enveloped in an experience that is both visually and spiritually enriching.

Hinoki's significance lies in its evocation of both nature's simplicity and complexity through fine craftsmanship reminiscent of classic Japanese woodwork. The use of traditional materials speaks to cultural heritage, while the piece's contemporaneous abstraction draws parallels with Western art movements. Its intricate details and organic form have made it a contemporary cultural symbol, often referenced in modern media exploring themes of nature versus industrialization. The artist's deft manipulation of the medium ensures the artwork remains a vital conversation between the past and present.