Ni Estu Amikoj

MJK Gallery will host the exhibition "Ni Estu Amikoj" by the artist Daichi Satō.

Daichi Satō is known for his works that blur the boundaries between reality and fantasy by incorporating surreal elements into landscapes and still life photos found on the internet. His landscapes evoke a timeless atmosphere, allowing viewers to feel a sense of nostalgia while simultaneously experiencing a strange sense of déjà vu.

The title of the exhibition, "Ni Estu Amikoj," means "Let's Be Friends" in Esperanto. Esperanto was created as a language to foster mutual understanding among people of different cultures and backgrounds. The development of this language was rooted in the pursuit of international peace, as well as the exploration of how local languages emerge and interact with society.

Satō points out that the idea of "Let's Be Friends" is often overlooked in the art world. Reflecting on recent history, the concept of "lumbung" presented at documenta 15 comes to mind—a notion that emphasizes sharing resources, forming communities, and growing together. Indeed, movements like Impressionism, Cubism, and Fluxus could be seen as forms of solidarity that grew out of circles of friendship.

However, friendships are unique relationships that are not easily visualized. Through Satō’s perspective, this exhibition might offer an opportunity to reconsider the significance of friendship and community in our increasingly complex society. This exhibition promises a special experience for visitors, combining a comforting sense of nostalgia with an intriguing sense of mystery. We hope you will take this opportunity to enjoy the show.
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“NI ESTU AMIKOJ” means "Let’s be friends."

This exhibition focuses on casual experiments and unpretentious works created in a relaxed manner. I realized that the subject of these works is "friendship."

In human society, "value" is born and nurtured through communication with others.

There are friends we talk to every day, friends we meet at our usual hangouts, friends we see after years to catch up, friends whose relationships have changed, friends who invite us via DMs, friends who visit regularly from abroad, friends we see only a few times a year, and friends we've recently grown close to. I've come to recognize the universality and allure of the values formed through sharing the joys and sorrows of life with them.

This exhibition is about the posts of my friends on Instagram, the things we talked about, the experiences and events we shared, and the small networks surrounding me that my body has engaged with.

And I hope that you will also become friends with me.

Daichi Satō