pic07292 Shuzo Ikeda

Here we see a procession of figures rendered in a stylized and somewhat unsettling manner. The composition is dominated by a dark background against which these characters advance, creating a sense of forward momentum and perhaps even urgency. They are uniformly clad in geometric patterns – primarily diamonds and squares – executed with a limited palette of grey, white, blue, and touches of red. This repetitive patterning contributes to an overall feeling of uniformity and anonymity; the figures appear less as individuals and more as components of a larger, impersonal system.
The faces are particularly striking. They possess large, simplified eyes that lack discernible emotion, lending them an almost robotic quality. The mouths are small and tightly pursed, suggesting restraint or perhaps even suppressed anxiety. This combination of exaggerated features and vacant expressions creates a disquieting effect, hinting at a loss of individuality within the group dynamic.
A single figure in the foreground holds aloft a banner bearing a looping script – seemingly “go” - which acts as both a visual guide for the procession and a symbolic directive. The banner’s placement suggests an imposed movement or purpose, reinforcing the sense that these figures are being led rather than acting of their own volition.
The artists use of flat planes and sharp angles contributes to a feeling of artificiality and detachment. There is little in the way of shading or perspective; instead, forms are presented as simplified shapes, further emphasizing the stylized nature of the scene. The overall effect is one of controlled chaos, where order and uniformity coexist with an underlying sense of unease and potential constraint. The work evokes a feeling of being observed, of witnessing something ritualistic yet unsettling, leaving the viewer to ponder the purpose and implications of this procession.