This series of articles, which explains galleries you should definitely visit, introduces 4649, located in Sugamo. The name is said to be read “yon, roku, yon, kyu: four six four nine,” but it does not reveal the kind of activities involved. Not only that, I am not even sure if it is a gallery or what. So, at the very beginning of this interview, I asked a frank question:
“May I refer to 4649 as a gallery?”
Shogo Shimizu promptly responded with a smile.

Shimizu: Yes. That’s fine.

Yu Takamizawa added his comments and explained.

Takamizawa: It is both a gallery and an artist-run space. I find that I have used the term “artist-run space” less often recently in North America and in Europe. This is because it has become common for artists to manage their own spaces, and they no longer bother to mention it.

4649 is run by Yuhei Kobayashi (b. 1990), Shogo Shimizu (b. 1993), and Yu Takamizawa (b. 1990). They have been friends since university. Mr. Kobayashi mainly uses photography and print media, Mr. Shimizu works with two-dimensional works, and Mr. Takamizawa continues to work in the conceptual art field.

While still in school, Mr. Shimizu started a book label with his friends and produced handmade zines. This developed into the three of them starting 4649 in 2018.

Takamizawa: Originally, we were not intending to start a space, but we simply did not have a place to show our work. So, as we had been renting space on our own and holding exhibitions, we thought it would be a good idea to hold other artists’ exhibitions as well. That naturally turned out to be like running a space.

4649 shares its space with XYZ Collective, another gallery and artist-run space. The two collectives work separately, using the same space on a 50-50 basis in a year. Each collective produces programs on its own. 4649 is unique in that it is involved in exhibitions not only at the Sugamo space but at other venues as well.

Takamizawa: In the first place, we started our activities because we were influenced by artist friends of ours overseas who managed spaces there. We wanted to introduce artists of our generation from New York and Vienna to young people in Japan. In addition, we sometimes direct exhibitions in overseas spaces.

Why does it operate with three people?

Takamizawa: Three of us have different areas of interest. This gives the direction of exhibitions a certain breadth. I think that makes it interesting, compared to doing things alone. The three are not a group, or a duo. I think we have an exquisite relationship, and it works well.

Kobayashi: For example, today, Takamizawa and I returned from overseas and are in a period of voluntary isolation, but Shimizu is able to attend the interview in person. In this way, we are able to divide roles in a way that is natural.

Incidentally, on the day of our visit, Mr. Shimizu and Calvin Miceli Nelson, an American living in Los Angeles, were holding a two-person exhibition. The two met on Instagram and became friends, which led to the exhibition.

So, if aspiring artists want to have an exhibition here in 4649, can they get the chance to do so?

Shimizu: There are (sales pitches) via Instagram, with works attached in PDF format.

Takamizawa: I would like people to come and see our exhibitions in person, not as a sales pitch. Once they become acquainted with us and become friends, we may ask them to show us their work. We have our own space, but we stand in a similar position.

How and what kind of development does 4649 have for the future?

Shimizu: During the past two years, we have lost contact with an increasing number of people. So, I would like to resume contacts.

Takamizawa: Then, I would like to work in a city I have never been to before.

Finally, I asked them what I really wanted to know. What was the intention behind the name “4649”?

Shimizu: We named it without thinking about it.

Takamizawa: I like numbers. I thought it would be nice to have a combination of numbers and Japanese words, and came up with the name in an instant, at random.

So if you were to open a second space, what would you name it?

Shimizu: Well, maybe “5963”?