“Notation #23” was produced in the series called Tempo. Tempo was an exhibition of new oil pastel and pencil works on paper that carry the subtitle “Notation.” As with previous investigations by Akira Yoshikawa, these works explore the tension between calculated composition and spontaneous marking. Presenting the work in two distinct, juxtaposed squares of either left/right, or top/bottom, Yoshikawa remains faithful to his trademark compositional style. What is new is his introduction of vibrant colour into an otherwise subtle, monochromatic oeuvre. In the past, one square, filled with black, would have lent a philosophical overtone to his work or suggested the unkown, but now the black square is used to intensify colour.

Inspired by John Cage and Toru Takemitsu, Yoshikawa makes pencil markings in the colour pastel fields of the works to connote sound or movement. Music and dance are visualized by creating overall aerial views of dance actions that are suggested by the ellipses, dotted lines and short strokes a choreographer would make in planning a performance. The subtleties of different sounds are indicated by pencil lines that fade in and out of the colour fields. The use of colour is a challenge for Yoshikawa, an effort to step past profound questions and philosophy in order to explore more relaxed and playful ideas, while maintaining a thoughtful, spare and sophisticated aesthetic.