J-Collabo Artist in Residency Exhibition
As one of the programs within the Brooklyn + Japan Festival (BBFL), the J-Collabo Artist in Residency Exhibition presented a dynamic showcase of cross-cultural dialogue and artistic innovation.
Held on the third floor of Ossam Gallery, the exhibition featured new works by 2025 Artist in Residency Award recipients Daiki Nakamura and Michael & Eva Jacobson, created during their one-month residency in Brooklyn. The works reflected a thoughtful engagement with local communities and cultural contexts, shaped by personal exploration as well as meaningful exchanges throughout their stay.
The exhibition also included a collaborative piece by Daiki Nakamura and J-Collabo artist member Clayton Morrell, further expanding the spirit of dialogue that defined the residency.
Artist Statement
Daiki Nakamura
LIGHT PAINTING PHOTOGRAPHY
I encountered light painting photography in Brooklyn in my twenties and have remained captivated by its high level of artistry ever since. The allure of light painting lies in its versatility — any light source can serve as a painting tool, be it a flashlight, laser beam, or fiber light.
The technique involves opening the camera's shutter in darkness and using light sources to create luminous trails on people, objects, and space, often resulting in otherworldly scenes reminiscent of outer space. During the exposure, which can last several minutes, models must remain perfectly still to avoid ruining the image. They either close their eyes or maintain a fixed gaze to prevent unwanted movement when exposed to light.
I've explored various expressive techniques, such as painting spaces with light, arranging fiber lights around people and plants, and even incorporating light from mobile phones and TVs. The unpredictability of the results adds to the technique’s intrigue — outcomes don’t always match expectations, which is part of what makes light painting so fascinating.
At its core, light painting is a romantic art form that captures the passage of time and records the movement of elementary particles like photons in space, all within a single image.
It allows us to visualize the invisible dance of light, creating whimsical visual poetry that bridges the mundane and the cosmic.
Eva & Michael Jacobson
Michael Jacobson, also known as Grimace, is a New York-based artist working across spray paint, acrylics, and collage. His work blends elements of graffiti, futurism, retro design, nature, and indigenous art influences gathered from global travel.
Grimace works in mixed mediums ranging from spray paint to acrylics and collage. As the work has evolved, abstract forms have overtaken traditional graffiti letter formations to become living, breathing, organic Life Forms, growing to become live characters of their own. These forms speak to themes of organic growth using natural and indigenous influenced retro colors and shapes.