BABA YASUTAKA (1991-) Elemental Form IX Heisei era (1989-2019), 2019Important works of art from an American private collectionBABA YASUTAKA (1991-)Elemental Form IX Heisei era (1989-2019), 2019The skyscraper-like form assembled from unfired cut rectangular porcelain blocks, subsequently fired in an electric kilnWith custom-made cardboard box 22 1/2in (57.2cm) highWorking in a studio specially humidified to prevent the porcelain clay from drying out during a lengthy manufacturing process, Baba patiently creates his sculptures from many thousands of tiny building blocks of differing sizes that he cuts out using stencils. After assembly and drying, the finished work is fired at a high temperature. The resulting forms announce Baba as one of the most exciting new arrivals on the Japanese ceramic scene.