Actor Matsumoto Koshirō AS AN OTOKODATE 

Editor: This is Katsukawa Shunko's "Actor Matsumoto Koshiro as an Otokodate." I am immediately drawn to the bold lines and the way the artist uses color to define the figure's form. What do you see in this piece from a formal perspective? Curator: The composition is striking in its flatness, isn't it? Notice how Shunko manipulates the picture plane, eschewing traditional perspective for a more graphic representation. The interplay between the geometric patterns of the kimono and the actor's dynamic pose creates a visual tension. Editor: So, it's more about the relationship of shapes and colors than creating a realistic scene? Curator: Precisely. The artist emphasizes the inherent qualities of the medium, like line and color, inviting us to contemplate the work's formal elements before we consider any narrative. The surface becomes the subject, the arrangement of forms dictating meaning. Editor: That's a fascinating way to look at it. Thanks for pointing out the interplay of the geometric patterns, that's something I hadn't noticed at first glance.