"Takashi Murakami Mononoke Kyoto" at Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art

The Kyocera Museum of Art in Kyoto, celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, is set to host a significant solo exhibition by Takashi Murakami, a prominent figure in contemporary art. Born in 1962, Murakami has consistently challenged and redefined the value and inherent meaning of his art by drawing inspiration from popular culture elements like manga and anime. His career is a testament to his unique Japanese perspective, challenging and stimulating the international art scene dominated by Europe and America. Murakami's globally acclaimed works are showcased in museums worldwide, and he has consecutively held a spot in Art Review's Power 100, recognizing the most influential figures in the art world, for a decade.

This exhibition marks Murakami's return to Japan after approximately eight years and his first large-scale solo showcase outside of Tokyo. With a profound interest in and inspiration from Kyoto, known for its active painters during the Edo period, Murakami invites audiences to anticipate a new artistic realm. Delve into the aesthetic brilliance of Takashi Murakami, a visionary artist who continually crafts an overwhelming artistic experience.

Period: February 3, 2024 (Sat) - September 1, 2024 (Sun)
Venue: Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art, New Building Higashiyama Cube
Hours: 10:00-18:00 (last entry until 17:30)
Closed: Mondays (open on holidays)

Image: Takashi Murakami
Title: "Summer Flower Field under the Golden Sky"
©2023 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
URL: https://takashimarakami-kyoto.exhibit.jp/

Exhibition Title: "DXP (Digital Transformation Planet) - Towards the Next Interface" at 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, presents the "DXP (Digital Transformation Planet) - Toward the Next Interface" exhibition starting from October 7th, with a duration spanning October 7th to March 17th, 2024. This interface is designed to facilitate an understanding of ongoing developments, enabling a tangible experience. DXP, a realm woven from cutting-edge technologies such as AI, Metaverse, and big data, along with a visionary outlook, explores possibilities for a holistic life encompassing aspects like food, clothing, and shelter.

Period: October 7, 2023 (Sat) - March 17, 2024 (Sun)
Venue: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa Exhibition rooms 7-14, long-term installation room, design gallery, etc.
Hours: 10:00-18:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays) *Same-day sales available until 30 minutes before closing
Closed: Mondays (except for February 12th), February 13th

Image: David OReilly
Title: "Eye of the Dream" (2018)
© David OReilly
Tickets: Available for purchase on the website https://www.kanazawa21.jp.

"Reiko Sudo: NUNO Cloth Making" at Art Tower Mito
The Contemporary Art Gallery of Art Tower Mito will host the special exhibition "Reiko Sudo: NUNO's Cloth Making" starting from Saturday, February 17, 2024. This expansive solo exhibition aims to comprehensively showcase the endeavors of textile designer Reiko Sudo and NUNO. Mr. Sudo seamlessly integrates traditional Japanese dyeing and weaving techniques with cutting-edge technology, incorporating unconventional materials into textiles, and emphasizing industrial sustainability, positioning NUNO as a global leader in textile design. The exhibition delves into the behind-the-scenes fabric-making process through a wealth of materials and multimedia installations, shedding light on collaborative efforts with craftsmen and factories across Japan and their endeavors to expand material possibilities. Furthermore, a large-scale installation within the Art Tower Mito space will spotlight the diverse potential of textiles, sparking the viewer's sense of enjoyment and curiosity.

The exhibition, previously showcased at the CHAT (Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile) in Hong Kong in 2019 and touring Europe, will journey through Japan, making stops at the Genichiro Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art in Marugame City before landing at the Contemporary Art Gallery in Art Tower Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, with close ties to Sudo.

Period: February 17, 2024 (Saturday) - May 6, 2024 (Monday, Shinkyu)
Venue: Art Tower Mito Contemporary Art Gallery, Square
Hours: 10:00-18:00 (admission until 17:30)
Image: Reiko Sudo & Adrien Gardere "Carp streamer" 2008/2019 (detail)
Exhibition View: "Sudo Reiko: Making NUNO Textiles" CHAT (Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile) Hong Kong, 2019-2020
©CHAT (Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile) Hong Kong
URL: http://tinyurl.com/56n7s5jk

"Designs by Shiro Kuramata - Microcosm in Memory" at Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art
The Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art presents a special exhibition titled "Shiro Kuramata's Designs - A Microcosm in Memory," scheduled from February 17th (Saturday) to April 7th (Sunday), 2024. Shiro Kuramata (1934-1991), a highly acclaimed and enduringly influential designer even over 30 years after his passing, is celebrated for his innovative work that transcends the boundaries of design. Using materials such as acrylic, glass, and architectural metals, Kuramata's focus on furniture and interior design, occasionally influenced by contemporary art, raises profound questions about design and societal conditions, captivating audiences to this day.

This exhibition, the first bearing Shiro Kuramata's name in approximately a decade, chronicles his journey from the works of his early 20s before establishing himself as an independent designer to his furniture and interior designs leading up to his untimely death at the age of 56. Notable pieces, including "Miss Blanche" (1988) and seven chairs from the museum's collection, are presented in chronological order, providing a comprehensive narrative. Moreover, the exhibition delves into the personal aspect of "Shiro Kuramata" by exploring his dream diaries, image sketches from his later years, the books and records that accompanied him, and Kuramata's own words, shedding light on his inner thoughts and the context behind them.

Period: February 17th (Sat) - April 7th (Sun), 2024
Venue: Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art, exhibition rooms 3 and 4
Hours: 9:30-18:00 (Admission until 17:30)
Closed: Every Wednesday (open on March 20th), Thursday, March 21st
URL: https://tad-toyama.jp/exhibition-event/17929

"Yasuko Toyoshima: The Genesis Method - The Reversal of Heaven, Earth, Left, and Right" at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is set to host the exhibition "Yasuko Toyoshima: The Genesis Method - The Reversal of Heaven, Earth, Left, and Right" from December 9, 2023 (Saturday) to March 10, 2024 (Sunday). This exhibition marks the first attempt to comprehensively showcase Yasuko Toyoshima's creative spectrum, featuring nearly 400 works ranging from her early pieces to the latest creations. Toyoshima's artworks intersect with the established norms of the world, offering profound insights to us as beings inseparable from systems. How are concepts like "Heaven and Earth" or "Left and Right" determined? And what happens when we flip the dichotomy of front and back?

With a unique blend of audacity and humor, Toyoshima shapes our responses to the elements around us by utilizing her own thoughts as materials. Her creations delve into the "genesis method" of both various systems and our individual selves, providing a fresh perspective on our thoughts, actions, and the realm of freedom. Enjoy the opportunity to reconsider and engage with our thoughts in new ways.

Period: December 9, 2023 (Saturday) - March 10, 2024 (Sunday)
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Special Exhibition Room 1F
Hours: 10:00-18:00 (Last entry 30 minutes before closing)
Closed: Mondays (Open on January 8th and February 12th), December 28th - January 1st, January 9th, February 13th
Admission Fee: General 1,400 / University and Vocational School Students, 65 and older 1,000 / Middle and High School Students 600 / Elementary School Students and younger Free
Hosted by: Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Image: "Color Correction 1" (2005 -) Artist's Collection Photo by Mitsuru Goto
(Produced openly, Fuchu Art Museum, 2005)
URL: http://tinyurl.com/228cnkua

Yebisu International Festival for Art & Alternative Visions 2024
"30 Ways to Go to the Moon"
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, and Nihon Keizai Shimbun jointly present the "Yebisu Film Festival 2024 - 30 Ways to the Moon," an exhibition spanning 15 days from Friday, February 2, 2024, to Sunday, February 18, 2024. The Yebisu Festival for Visual Arts 2024 will unfold at various venues, including Yebisu Garden Place Center Square.

Departing from conventional notions of "video," the Ebisu Festival for Visual Arts explores diverse possibilities in image creation and reception. Serving as a dynamic platform, it fosters the creation of alternative values and visions that art and images can offer to people. With each edition, a thematic exploration revolves around the question, "What is video?" showcasing visual expressions from both Japan and abroad. As the landscape of video continues to evolve, with significant shifts in frameworks and technologies, the festival embraces this diversification. Immerse yourself in the 16th edition of the Ebisu Film Festival in 2024.

Period: February 2, 2024 (Friday) - February 18, 2024 (Sunday) [15 days]
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, Ebisu Garden Place Center Square, various regional collaboration locations, etc.
Hours: 10:00-20:00 (until 18:00 on the 18th)
Closed: Mondays (Open on the 12th (Monday), Closed on the 13th (Tuesday))
Admission Fee: *Commission Project (3F Exhibition Room) available until March 24th (Sunday)
*Commissions and projects from February 20th (Tuesday) to March 24th (Sunday) open from 10:00-18:00 (until 20:00 on Thursdays and Fridays)
*Admission allowed until 30 minutes before closing.
URL: https://www.yebizo.com/

"Wim Wenders' Transparent Gaze" at N&A Art SITE
The exhibition highlights the vivid electronic paintings titled "Electronic Paintings" (91), created from the climax scene of Wenders' proclaimed "ultimate road movie," 'Until the End of the World' (91). Additionally, on display are photographs from the "Written in the west" (83) series, capturing the landscapes of the American Midwest, where Wenders showcased his photographic prowess during the filming of 'Paris, Texas' (84).

Period: February 1, 2024 (Thursday) - March 2, 2024 (Saturday)
Venue: N&A Art SITE
Hours: 12:00-17:00
Closed: Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays
Organized by: DART, GCI BOOKS
URL: http://tinyurl.com/bpycyu37

Claude Monet: Journey to Series Paintings" at Osaka City Museum of Art
From February 10, 2024 (Saturday) to May 6, 2024 (Monday, Holiday), Osaka City Museum of Art will host the exhibition "Claude Monet: Journey to Series Paintings." Claude Monet (1840-1926), one of the iconic painters of Impressionism, possessed an extraordinary sense for natural light and color. He excelled in employing soft color palettes and depicting the warmth of light, leaving behind numerous works that capture the essence of nature. Monet's exploration of fleeting expressions, the movement of wind, and the ever-changing moments across different weather conditions, times, and seasons, encapsulated in his "series paintings," is inseparable from his masterful artistic narrative.

The "series paintings" focusing on motifs such as "Stacks of Wheat" and "Water Lilies," widely cherished in Japan as symbols of Monet's artistry, takes center stage in this exhibition. It traces the artist's lifelong dialogue with time and light. Additionally, the exhibition features the monumental portrait "Luncheon," which marked Monet's departure from the Salon (official exhibitions) and initiated his role as a leading figure in Impressionism. This significant work, making its debut in Japan, is complemented by pre-Impressionist pieces, offering insights into the evolutionary process leading to Monet's innovative "series" expression.

Immerse yourself in the grand world of Monet's artistry, where every exhibited piece contributes to a comprehensive exploration of his creative legacy.

Period: February 10, 2024 (Saturday) - May 6, 2024 (Monday, Holiday)
Venue: Osaka City Museum of Art, 5th Floor Exhibition Room
Hours: 10:00-18:00 (Last entry at 17:30)
Closed: Mondays (Open on February 12, April 1, 15, 22, 29, and May 6)
Organized by: Osaka City Museum of Art, Kansai Telecasting Corporation, Sankei Shimbun
Image: "View of Ventimiglia" (1884) Oil on Canvas, 65.1×91.7cm
Glasgow Life Museums (Commissioned by Glasgow City Council)
© CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collection. Presented by the Trustees of the Hamilton Bequest, 1943
URL: https://nakka-art.jp/exhibition-post/monet-2023/

"The Collection Exhibition: 'Professor Mokumo and the Winged Child'" at Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Modern Art
The Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Modern Art proudly presents the collection exhibition, "Professor Mokumo and the Winged Child." Professor Mokumo, or the art historian and bibliophile Shigeru Aoki (1932–2021), referred to himself as a "bookworm" and was an avid lover of books and cigars. Aoki dedicated many years to researching the Western-style painter of the late Edo and Meiji periods, Yuiichi Takahashi, becoming a leading expert in the field. The "Aoki Bunko" collection, comprising 10,000 volumes, was amassed by Aoki and generously bequeathed to the museum. This exhibition introduces valuable materials from the Meiji era, housed in the remarkable "Aoki Bunko," contributing significantly to future art historical research. Additionally, the exhibition unveils, for the first time after restoration, the 2019 acquisition from Takahashi Yuiichi's collection, the artwork titled "Winged Child" (Artist: Unknown).

Period: February 10, 2024 (Saturday) - April 7, 2024 (Sunday)
Venue: Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Modern Art, Hayama (Exhibition Rooms 3b and 4)
Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)
Closed: Mondays (Except for February 12)

Image: Shoyo Kimura, "Original Painting of 'Daito Stone Buddha Temple' - '175th Figure, First Cave Arch View'" (1920) Watercolor, Pencil, Paper
Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Modern Art Collection (Aoki Bunko)

URL: http://tinyurl.com/thty8era

"Hoami Koetsu's Grand Universe" at the Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum proudly presents the special exhibition "Hoami Koetsu's Grand Universe" at the Heiseikan, running from January 16, 2024 (Tuesday) to March 10, 2024 (Sunday). Hoami Koetsu (1558–1637), living in the turbulent era, engaged in various artistic pursuits, creating innovative and remarkable masterpieces that have significantly influenced later Japanese culture. However, navigating Koetsu's world, akin to the grand universe (Macrocosmos), is profound, and comprehending its entirety is no simple task.

This exhibition aims to intertwine the inner world revealed through Koetsu's calligraphy and ceramics, along with the contemporaneous societal conditions reflected in crafts such as lacquerware involving artisans gathered under the same faith. It sheds light on the beliefs of the Hoami family and delves into the societal context of the Hokke Machishu (local townspeople) during that period. By juxtaposing the latest research on the world of art and the manifestations of faith, the exhibition offers a comprehensive understanding of Koetsu. The exquisite masterpieces created under a steadfast spirit supported by deep faith will be presented, inviting contemplation on how they resonate in our contemporary eyes.

Period: January 16, 2024 (Tuesday) - March 10, 2024 (Sunday)
Venue: Tokyo National Museum, Heiseikan
Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (*Last entry 30 minutes before closing)
Closed: Mondays, February 13 (Tuesday) (*Open on February 12, Monday)
URL: https://koetsu2024.jp/

"Nakahira Takuma: Burn—Overflow" at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, is delighted to announce the exhibition "Nakahira Takuma: Burn—Overflow," scheduled from February 6, 2024 (Tuesday) to April 7, 2024 (Sunday). This comprehensive retrospective marks the first posthumous exhibition of Takuma Nakahira (1938–2015), a distinguished photographer representing post-war Japan. Nakahira left significant imprints in both practice and theory during the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, a transformative period in post-war Japanese photography. His work was a profound influence on contemporaries such as Daido Moriyama and Nobuyoshi Araki, inspiring subsequent generations, including Takashi Homma. This exhibition meticulously traces Nakahira's body of work, reexamining its progression. It particularly focuses on the exploratory phase around 1975, which was interrupted by illness in 1977, and reassesses the positioning of his work after his resurgence.


Period: February 6, 2024 (Tuesday) - April 7, 2024 (Sunday)
Venue: National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, 1F Special Exhibition Gallery
Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Extended until 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays) (*Last entry 30 minutes before closing)
Closed: Mondays (Open on February 12, March 25), February 13 (Tuesday)
Organized by: National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Asahi Shimbun
Image: Takuma Nakahira, "Untitled #437" (2005) Chromogenic Print, 90.0×60.0cm
National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo © Gen Nakahira
URL: https://www.momat.go.jp/exhibitions/556

"Costume Jewelry - Pioneers of Beauty: Chanel, Dior, Schiaparelli, from the Collection of Chisako Kotaki" at the Kyoto Cultural Museum
Experience the extraordinary at the Kyoto Cultural Museum's special exhibition, "Costume Jewelry - Pioneers of Beauty: Chanel, Dior, Schiaparelli, from the Collection of Chisako Kotaki," held from February 17, 2024 (Saturday) to April 14, 2024 (Sunday). The exhibition explores the evolution of costume jewelry, featuring a curated selection of approximately 450 pieces from the remarkable collection of researcher and collector Chisako Kotaki.

In the bygone era, jewelry such as necklaces, brooches, and earrings were crafted from precious gemstones and metals, symbolizing power and wealth. Worn predominantly by high-ranking men as symbols of status, these items adorned their wives and daughters. However, the early 20th century saw a transformative shift for women, liberating them from restrictive corsets.

Renowned French fashion designer Paul Poiret, known for emancipating women from corsets, pioneered the integration of non-precious jewelry into women's attire to complement his revolutionary dresses, steering away from expensive materials.

The 1920s witnessed Coco Chanel's foray into imitation pearls and glass jewelry, winning immense popularity among women entering various spheres of society. This marked the explosive growth of these accessories in the United States, eventually earning the name "Costume Jewelry." The unique and innovative aesthetics empowered women, instilling confidence, courage, and radiance.

This rare international exhibition focuses on costume jewelry, presenting a world where Chisako Kotaki's carefully selected collection illustrates the freedom and creativity embedded in these designs.

Period: February 17, 2024 (Saturday) - April 14, 2024 (Sunday)
Venue: Kyoto Cultural Museum, 4th and 3rd-floor exhibition rooms [3rd floor, Sanjo Takakura, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8183]
Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Fridays until 7:30 PM) (*Last entry 30 minutes before closing)
URL: http://tinyurl.com/29ury6t7