Gil Kuno, ::: Unsound Frequencies :::

Dates｜ May 31 – June 21, 2025

Venue｜ √K Contemporary

√K Contemporary is pleased to present Gil Kuno’s ::: Unsound Frequencies :::, a solo exhibition celebrating the 30th anniversary of his creative career, on view from May 31 (Saturday) to June 21 (Saturday), 2025.

This commemorative exhibition offers an in-depth look into the creative universe of Gil Kuno, presenting a wide spectrum of his pioneering works—from early sound art to his most recent multimedia installations. Showcasing some of his most iconic pieces, the exhibition features Noisemakers, which incorporates flip-dot technology; the video work 15min of Fame, created as an homage to the legendary David Bowie; Six String Sonics, a collaborative project involving deconstructed guitars; and a series of 2D woodblock-based artworks. Collectively, these works chart the evolution of Kuno’s artistic practice over three decades of experimentation.

Gil Kuno began his artistic journey in 1995 with the launch of Unsound, a groundbreaking web platform developed at the dawn of the internet era. Designed to foster collaboration among visual artists and musicians, Unsound enabled users to freely share and remix creative materials. Around this time, Kuno was also active in the experimental internet-based music group WIGGLE, and Six String Sonics, his guitar deconstruction unit. As a sound artist, he has performed at numerous venues including the Fuji Rock Festival, where he appeared alongside renowned techno musician Ken Ishii.

In addition to his performances, Kuno has collaborated with a wide range of acclaimed artists, including EYƎ (Boredoms), Yoshimi (Boredoms, OOIOO), Fuyuki Yamakawa, Merzbow, Otomo Yoshihide, Battles, Vincent Gallo, Tatsuya Yoshida (Ruins), Carl Stone, Alec Empire (Atari Teenage Riot), Steve Albini (Big Black, Shellac), Nisennenmondai, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), and Elliott Sharp. These collaborations have earned him international recognition.

As a multimedia artist, Kuno has simultaneously created a diverse range of sound art objects. His innovative works have been widely appreciated in the art world and exhibited at numerous festivals and museums in Japan and abroad.

Throughout his 30-year artistic career, Kuno’s diverse practice—spanning video, 2D works, sculpture, and sound—has been unified by a central theme: the tension between regularity and irregularity. The “noise” that exists within the structured rhythms of the natural world is transformed into sound, image, and visual form, engaging both the viewer’s eyes and ears. His work evokes a strange yet comforting sense of serenity—like being immersed in nature—while simultaneously introducing a subtle, unsettling distortion. Through this experience, audiences become aware of the irregularities—what we call “noise”—that usually go unnoticed. We invite you to explore the trajectory of Gil Kuno’s creative journey and discover his ever-evolving, stimulating vision.

The exhibition also offers a unique interactive experience: visitors are invited to wear wireless headsets that deliver specially curated soundtracks, enhancing the connection between auditory and visual expression. Throughout the exhibition period, special live performances by guest artists, will further immerse audiences in Kuno’s boundary-pushing fusion of audio and visual art. The visual art collective, Public Visuals will perform on June 7th, and on the night of June 14th, the techno-god, Ken Ishii will perform a rare “non-dance” DJ set.

<Live Performances>

– 6/7 (sat)   Public Visuals × Gil Kuno [::: Unsound Frequencies :::] 

Click here for tickets

 

– 6/14(sat)  Ken Ishii × VMO × Gil Kuno [::: Unsound Frequencies :::] 

In commemoration of Gil’s 30th anniversary show, the techno-god, Ken Ishii will make an appearance and perform “non-dance”DJ set. On top, the world renowned VMO a.k.a. Violent Music Orchestra will also join for this special occasion. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the magical collaboration of the three artists.

▼Event Details▼
Date & Time |  2025 6/14  18:00 start
Guest : Ken Ishii / VMO / Gil Kuno
Ticket ：advance　2000yen　/　door　2500yen　（*cash only）

contact us for ticket：info@root-k.jp / +81-(0)3-6280-8808

Technical support：AlphaTheta

Other exciting guest performers will also be scheduled in the coming weeks. Further event details will be posted on the exhibition’s website and social media. Please be sure to check it out!

 

<Gallery Talk>

On June19, we will host a gallery talk focusing on media art history and future, and its marketability.
The panelists Minoru Hatanaka, Former Chief Curator at NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC]., and art advisor Toshimitsu Terauchi will discuss 30 years of Gil’s artistic career, while looking into the future of media art, and its relation to art market.

＊Please note, the gallery talk will be in Japanese only.

Schedule｜June 19, 2025, 6:30pm
Guests｜Minoru Hatanaka (Curator, Former Chief Curator at NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC].), Toshimitsu Terauchi (Art Advisor, former curator of Seibu Sogo), Gil Kuno (Artist)
Admission｜Free

【Reservations】
√K Contemporary
Tel: (+81) 3-6280-8808 | Fax: (+81) 3-6280-8809 | Email: info@root-k.jp

IMAGES

  • 《Noisemakers》 2024, mixed media (image: What Cafe exhibition)

  • 《Embers》2023, Mixed media 180×16×11cm

  • 《Hangi》2024, laser-cut pine, printing ink 43×28cm

ARTISTS

Gil Kuno

Originally from Los Angeles (America), Gil Kuno studied media art at UCLA and is a New York /Tokyo based artist. Renowned globally for his alternative and multimedia art practices, he is the founder of the UNSOUND.COM,  and also active in internet bands such as WIGGLE, FLOW, Six String Sonics (a guitar deconstruction collective) etc.

 

【Art Festivals】

Japan Media Arts Festival ((4-time awardee), Ars Electronica (3-time invited artist), Yebisu International Festival for Art & Alternative Visions，Roppongi Art Night, Media Ambition Tokyo, Rotterdam International Film Festival, World Wide Video Festival (Amsterdam,) Fringe Festival NYC, Glow Festival (Los Angeles,) WRO Festival (Poland) etc.

 

【Exhibitions・Performances】

The National Art Center (Tokyo)、 Tokyo Photographic Art Museum (Tokyo)、 Zerospace (New York)、 Waterfall Gallery (New York)、Roppongi Hills Observation Deck (Tokyo）、The Hammer Museum (Los Angeles)、 Castillo de Rivoli (Italy)、 Center for Contemporary Art Zamek Ujazdowski (Warsaw, Poland)、 CSW Torun (Poland)、 New York Fringe Festival (New York)、 Torrance Art Museum (Los Angeles)、 JACCC (Los Angeles)、 MCM Gallery (Serbia)、 House of Legacy (Serbia)、 New Wight Gallery (Los Angeles)、 LACE Gallery (L.A.)、 Laforet Harajuku (Tokyo)、 Panke Gallery (Berlin)、 ORF (Austria)、 Art|Sci Gallery (Los Angeles)、 Fuji Rock Festival (Naeba)、 Melkweg (Amsterdam)、 Schouwburg (Rotterdam)、 The Sprawl (London)、 Liquid Room (Tokyo)、 Womb (Tokyo)、 Club Asia (Tokyo) etc.

 

【Collaboration Artists】

EYƎ Yamantaka (Boredoms)、 Yoshimi (Boredoms, OOIOO)、 Ken Ishii、 Fuyuki Yamakawa、  Merzbow、 Otomo Yoshihide、 Battles、 Vincent Gallo、 Yoshida Tatsuya (Ruins)、 Carl Stone、 Alec Empire (Atari Teenage Riot)、 Steve Albini (Big Black, Shellac)、 Tamio Shiraishi (Fushitsusha)、 Cristian Vogel、 Zbigniew Karkowski、 Atau Tanaka、 GX Jupitter Larsen (The Haters)、 Nisennenmondai、Christian Galarreta、 Joseph Hammer etc.

 

Artist HP｜ https://www.unsound.com/

IG｜@gilkuno  FB｜@gilkuno

 

Gil Kuno

Originally from Los Angeles (America), Gil Kuno studied media art at UCLA and is a New York /Tokyo based artist. Renowned globally for his alternative and multimedia art practices, he is the founder of the UNSOUND.COM,  and also active in internet bands such as WIGGLE, FLOW, Six String Sonics (a guitar deconstruction collective) etc.

 

【Art Festivals】

Japan Media Arts Festival ((4-time awardee), Ars Electronica (3-time invited artist), Yebisu International Festival for Art & Alternative Visions，Roppongi Art Night, Media Ambition Tokyo, Rotterdam International Film Festival, World Wide Video Festival (Amsterdam,) Fringe Festival NYC, Glow Festival (Los Angeles,) WRO Festival (Poland) etc.

 

【Exhibitions・Performances】

The National Art Center (Tokyo)、 Tokyo Photographic Art Museum (Tokyo)、 Zerospace (New York)、 Waterfall Gallery (New York)、Roppongi Hills Observation Deck (Tokyo）、The Hammer Museum (Los Angeles)、 Castillo de Rivoli (Italy)、 Center for Contemporary Art Zamek Ujazdowski (Warsaw, Poland)、 CSW Torun (Poland)、 New York Fringe Festival (New York)、 Torrance Art Museum (Los Angeles)、 JACCC (Los Angeles)、 MCM Gallery (Serbia)、 House of Legacy (Serbia)、 New Wight Gallery (Los Angeles)、 LACE Gallery (L.A.)、 Laforet Harajuku (Tokyo)、 Panke Gallery (Berlin)、 ORF (Austria)、 Art|Sci Gallery (Los Angeles)、 Fuji Rock Festival (Naeba)、 Melkweg (Amsterdam)、 Schouwburg (Rotterdam)、 The Sprawl (London)、 Liquid Room (Tokyo)、 Womb (Tokyo)、 Club Asia (Tokyo) etc.

 

【Collaboration Artists】

EYƎ Yamantaka (Boredoms)、 Yoshimi (Boredoms, OOIOO)、 Ken Ishii、 Fuyuki Yamakawa、  Merzbow、 Otomo Yoshihide、 Battles、 Vincent Gallo、 Yoshida Tatsuya (Ruins)、 Carl Stone、 Alec Empire (Atari Teenage Riot)、 Steve Albini (Big Black, Shellac)、 Tamio Shiraishi (Fushitsusha)、 Cristian Vogel、 Zbigniew Karkowski、 Atau Tanaka、 GX Jupitter Larsen (The Haters)、 Nisennenmondai、Christian Galarreta、 Joseph Hammer etc.

 

Artist HP｜ https://www.unsound.com/

IG｜@gilkuno  FB｜@gilkuno

 

EVENT

UPCOMINGEXHIBITIONS

Gil Kuno

Originally from Los Angeles (America), Gil Kuno studied media art at UCLA and is a New York /Tokyo based artist. Renowned globally for his alternative and multimedia art practices, he is the founder of the UNSOUND.COM,  and also active in internet bands such as WIGGLE, FLOW, Six String Sonics (a guitar deconstruction collective) etc.

 

【Art Festivals】

Japan Media Arts Festival ((4-time awardee), Ars Electronica (3-time invited artist), Yebisu International Festival for Art & Alternative Visions，Roppongi Art Night, Media Ambition Tokyo, Rotterdam International Film Festival, World Wide Video Festival (Amsterdam,) Fringe Festival NYC, Glow Festival (Los Angeles,) WRO Festival (Poland) etc.

 

【Exhibitions・Performances】

The National Art Center (Tokyo)、 Tokyo Photographic Art Museum (Tokyo)、 Zerospace (New York)、 Waterfall Gallery (New York)、Roppongi Hills Observation Deck (Tokyo）、The Hammer Museum (Los Angeles)、 Castillo de Rivoli (Italy)、 Center for Contemporary Art Zamek Ujazdowski (Warsaw, Poland)、 CSW Torun (Poland)、 New York Fringe Festival (New York)、 Torrance Art Museum (Los Angeles)、 JACCC (Los Angeles)、 MCM Gallery (Serbia)、 House of Legacy (Serbia)、 New Wight Gallery (Los Angeles)、 LACE Gallery (L.A.)、 Laforet Harajuku (Tokyo)、 Panke Gallery (Berlin)、 ORF (Austria)、 Art|Sci Gallery (Los Angeles)、 Fuji Rock Festival (Naeba)、 Melkweg (Amsterdam)、 Schouwburg (Rotterdam)、 The Sprawl (London)、 Liquid Room (Tokyo)、 Womb (Tokyo)、 Club Asia (Tokyo) etc.

 

【Collaboration Artists】

EYƎ Yamantaka (Boredoms)、 Yoshimi (Boredoms, OOIOO)、 Ken Ishii、 Fuyuki Yamakawa、  Merzbow、 Otomo Yoshihide、 Battles、 Vincent Gallo、 Yoshida Tatsuya (Ruins)、 Carl Stone、 Alec Empire (Atari Teenage Riot)、 Steve Albini (Big Black, Shellac)、 Tamio Shiraishi (Fushitsusha)、 Cristian Vogel、 Zbigniew Karkowski、 Atau Tanaka、 GX Jupitter Larsen (The Haters)、 Nisennenmondai、Christian Galarreta、 Joseph Hammer etc.

 

Artist HP｜ https://www.unsound.com/

IG｜@gilkuno  FB｜@gilkuno

 

Gil Kuno

Originally from Los Angeles (America), Gil Kuno studied media art at UCLA and is a New York /Tokyo based artist. Renowned globally for his alternative and multimedia art practices, he is the founder of the UNSOUND.COM,  and also active in internet bands such as WIGGLE, FLOW, Six String Sonics (a guitar deconstruction collective) etc.

 

【Art Festivals】

Japan Media Arts Festival ((4-time awardee), Ars Electronica (3-time invited artist), Yebisu International Festival for Art & Alternative Visions，Roppongi Art Night, Media Ambition Tokyo, Rotterdam International Film Festival, World Wide Video Festival (Amsterdam,) Fringe Festival NYC, Glow Festival (Los Angeles,) WRO Festival (Poland) etc.

 

【Exhibitions・Performances】

The National Art Center (Tokyo)、 Tokyo Photographic Art Museum (Tokyo)、 Zerospace (New York)、 Waterfall Gallery (New York)、Roppongi Hills Observation Deck (Tokyo）、The Hammer Museum (Los Angeles)、 Castillo de Rivoli (Italy)、 Center for Contemporary Art Zamek Ujazdowski (Warsaw, Poland)、 CSW Torun (Poland)、 New York Fringe Festival (New York)、 Torrance Art Museum (Los Angeles)、 JACCC (Los Angeles)、 MCM Gallery (Serbia)、 House of Legacy (Serbia)、 New Wight Gallery (Los Angeles)、 LACE Gallery (L.A.)、 Laforet Harajuku (Tokyo)、 Panke Gallery (Berlin)、 ORF (Austria)、 Art|Sci Gallery (Los Angeles)、 Fuji Rock Festival (Naeba)、 Melkweg (Amsterdam)、 Schouwburg (Rotterdam)、 The Sprawl (London)、 Liquid Room (Tokyo)、 Womb (Tokyo)、 Club Asia (Tokyo) etc.

 

【Collaboration Artists】

EYƎ Yamantaka (Boredoms)、 Yoshimi (Boredoms, OOIOO)、 Ken Ishii、 Fuyuki Yamakawa、  Merzbow、 Otomo Yoshihide、 Battles、 Vincent Gallo、 Yoshida Tatsuya (Ruins)、 Carl Stone、 Alec Empire (Atari Teenage Riot)、 Steve Albini (Big Black, Shellac)、 Tamio Shiraishi (Fushitsusha)、 Cristian Vogel、 Zbigniew Karkowski、 Atau Tanaka、 GX Jupitter Larsen (The Haters)、 Nisennenmondai、Christian Galarreta、 Joseph Hammer etc.

 

Artist HP｜ https://www.unsound.com/

IG｜@gilkuno  FB｜@gilkuno