Yu Tsukada | Curry as Media and the Transformation of the Masses— "Black and White Beyond the Heat: Big Jō and Sachiko Kazama, Two Different Eaters" (Part 1)
This article compares works by Big Jō and Sachiko Kazama to examine the transformation of the masses through curry as a medium.Summary
This review, the first part of an analysis of the exhibition "Black and White Beyond the Heat: Big Jō and Sachiko Kazama, Two Different Eaters" at the Fujisawa City Art Space, juxtaposes the work of manga artist Big Jō (known for food-themed works like "Houchōnin Ajihei") and contemporary artist Sachiko Kazama. The author focuses on the "Curry War Arc" from Big Jō's "Houchōnin Ajihei," connecting the protagonist's goal of creating food enjoyable for everyone with the typical image of the masses in the mid-1970s, a time of stabilized growth after Japan's rapid economic expansion. The "Curry War Arc," which depicts a sales battle between two department stores over curry restaurants, illustrates the masses favoring the more popular product. Furthermore, the author argues that this arc reflects the commercial changes of the era, where department stores used theatricalization of space and advertising for differentiation. In this context, curry functions as a 'medium' mobilizing the masses through word-of-mouth popularity, turning the department store into a stage.
(Source：artscape)