Taro Hattori’s conceptual installations respond directly to both the built and intangible elements of a specific environment. With a background in theater set design, Hattori creates installations telling stories that are activated by the presence of viewers. In his most recent work, Hattori explores the relationship between creation and destruction, finding connections between seemingly disparate forms, such as weapons and the art gallery, to interrogate the violence inherent in any symbol or system of power. Originally from Japan, Hattori holds an MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BA from Sophia University in Tokyo. Hattori has exhibited and curated nationally and internationally. He has been awarded his residency at Headlands Center for the Arts, McColl Center for Visual Art, Taipei Artist Village, Djerassi Foundation and others. His work has been exhibited at numerous venues including Swarm Gallery, Oakland; Contemporary Art Gallery in Opole, Poland; Kuandu Museum, Taipei; LMAN Gallery, Los Angeles; Yerba Buena Center for the Arts; Mission 17; The Lab, San Francisco; Peter Miller Gallery, Chicago; The Asian American Arts Centre, NYC and Ssamzie Space, Seoul.