PROFILE

This is a painting duo composed of djow (pronounced “duh-JOE”) and 8g (pronounced like “age”). Based on the sensation of a plural unit, they create works as a single entity: Gravityfree. With the unique characteristic of having been influenced by a wide range of musical scenarios, they perform live painting shows that are both scheduled according to plan and have a high degree of improvisation. They are engaged in a wide variety of activities, with a focus on painting, doing murals and live painting shows at a variety of venues both in Japan and around the world.

DATE

2019

MEDIUM

 acrylic, emulsion paint

DIMENSIONS

H296×W450cm

STATEMENT

The painting unit “Gravityfree” started out back in 2002 with casual hobby painting at music clubs and the like. Starting around 2007 we began expanding out into outdoor festivals such as the Fuji Rock Festival, which is how we got to where we are today. The influence that music has had on our work is truly immeasurable. The reason most of our paintings have motifs of bands, musicians, traditional ethnic parties, etc… As can be seen in our name “Gravityfree,” we paint the moments of motion that are the very roots of humankind, free from the world’s “common sense,” taking as our concept things like the visualization of that which cannot be seen. Our shared background in street art, manga, anime, and other subcultures, as well as level music that respects the dignity of those in weak positions, the jam bands that started out with the Grateful Dead, hippie culture, world music that puts one in mind of the roots of the human race, and so on. Another reason we tend toward fun musical motifs is that we do live painting tours, like bands do, visiting various parties and local events around the world.

ABOUT MUSIC AND ART

Back when Gravityfree first started out in musical venues like clubs, we saw something that really instilled in us a feeling of the power of sound. It was the “Earth Celebration” held by the taiko drumming troupe Kodo on Sado Island, Niigata: despite the constant rain, people young and old were banging fervently on those drums. We feel that our efforts to visualize the kinds of atmospheres and sounds that cannot be seen have, in recent years, led to a method of creating images that, like, cross dimensions, and that can create a mixture of the concrete and the abstract. Music and painting—really all art—have the same roots, which is the communication between the sender and the receiver. We want to enjoy this with all our hearts going forward.

Gravityfree PLAYLIST