On Kawara was a Japanese conceptual artist who gained international recognition for his works that explored the themes of time, mortality, and personal identity. His oeuvre is characterized by its minimalistic yet thought-provoking expressions, often featuring details from his own life, such as his birthdate and birthplace. Kawara's works have had a profound impact on the post-war Japanese and international art scenes, inspiring generations of artists to explore the boundaries of conceptual art. Kawara's most celebrated works include the Today Series, which he began in 1966 and continued until his death in 2014. The series consists of daily postcards that he sent to friends and colleagues, featuring the date of their creation and a brief message about his activities that day. Another notable series is the Date Paintings, which he started in 1966 and continued until 2013. These paintings feature the date of their creation in white letters on a monochromatic background. Kawara's works are often seen as a reflection of his profound contemplations on life, death, and time. He believed that time was a fundamental element in the universe and sought to capture its fleeting nature through his art. His attention to detail and philosophical depth make his works an invaluable source of inspiration for designers, artists, and creative minds alike. Kawara's influence on the art world extends beyond his own works. He is regarded as a driving force behind the conceptual art movement in Asia and has inspired countless artists to explore the boundaries of the genre. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists to push the boundaries of conceptual art and explore the themes of time, mortality, and personal identity.
On Kawara, Japanese artist, conceptual art, time, mortality, personal identity, minimalistic, Today Series, Date Paintings, post-war Japanese art scene, international art scene, philosophical depth, attention to detail, inspiration
On Kawara was an influential Japanese artist known for his chronological works. He often worked with written text, painting, photography, and mail art. His works had a common theme of time and mortality. He was born in 1933 and started exhibiting his works internationally from 1965. His most famous works are the ‘Today’ series which he began in 1966, which included paintings, postcard, and date paintings. He was interested in the concept of time, and believed that it was a fundamental element in the universe. His works showcased his interest in time, by displaying various dates and times in his works. He also created a series of postcards, in which he wrote a single sentence that corresponded with the date and place of the postcard's creation.
On Kawara, Japanese artist, conceptual art, postcards, mortality, chronology.
— Mei Wang
On Kawara is an iconic figure in the world of conceptual art and design, and has had a profound impact on the post-war Japanese and international art scenes. His works are characterized by their minimalist yet thought-provoking expressions, often featuring details from his own life, such as his birth date and birth place. His signature pieces, such as the ‘Today Series’ and ‘I Got Up’, demonstrate an exploration of existential themes, while his ‘Date Paintings’ are hailed for their attention to detail and philosophical depth. Kawara’s art is often seen as a reflection of his profound contemplations on life, death, and time, and has inspired generations of artists to push the boundaries of conceptual art. His works have become a valuable source of inspiration for designers and creative minds alike, and serve as a reminder of the power of art to provoke thought and reflection.
On Kawara, conceptual art, post-war, Japanese art, minimalist, existential, philosophy.
On Kawara is highly regarded as a creative icon in the world of conceptual art. His works are seen as expressions of profound contemplation on the passage of time, life and death. His signature pieces, such as the ‘Today Series’, ‘Date Paintings’, and ‘I Got Up’, demonstrate a minimalist yet powerful approach to exploring existential themes. His works are deeply personal, often featuring details from his own life, such as his birthdate and birth place. Kawara’s works have had a significant influence on the post-war Japanese and international art scenes, inspiring generations of artists to explore the boundaries of conceptual art. His art is characterized by its attention to detail and philosophical depth, making it an invaluable source of inspiration for designers, artists, and creative minds alike.
On Kawara, Conceptual Art, Post-War Japan, Minimalism, Existentialism, Philosophy, Art, Design, Creativity.
CITATION : "Claudia Rossetti. 'On Kawara.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=93009 (Accessed on July 18, 2025)"
On Kawara is a Japanese artist renowned for his conceptual art works. He is known not only for his oeuvre but also for his profound influence on the post-war Japanese and international art scenes. Many regard him as a driving force behind the conceptual art movement in Asia and his philosophical reflections on life, death, and time. His works are hailed for their minimalistic yet thought-provoking expressions, and his deep attention to detail. Among his most celebrated works are 1966’s ‘Today Series’, ‘Date Paintings’ from the early 1970s, and ‘I Got Up’ from the late 1960s.
On Kawara, Japanese artist, conceptual art, minimalistic, post-war, philosophical, Date Paintings, Today Series, I Got Up.
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