Special exhibitions by women artists expressing social issues and workshops to inspire children
The programs of the second edition of Tokyo Gendai, co-founded by Magnus Renfrew, who we interviewed in ONBEAT Vol. 20, has been announced.
Advance tickets for Tokyo Gendai are on sale until 4th July!
As a media partner, we offer 15% discount tickets. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Installation view: Tokyo Gendai, 2023
Tsubomi ’Flower Bud’
This year’s Tsubomi ‘Flower Bud’, titled ALL THINGS ARE DELICATELY INTERCONNECTED, showcases the works of women artists of different nationalities, generations and cultural identities. Taking inspiration from the truism phrase created by Jenny Holzer during the global pandemic, the exhibit presents works that reflect on our relationship to civilization and the natural environment. The exhibit shows the works of a range of artists, from recent works of the upcoming and underrepresented, to the once-underrepresented works of established artists. By transcending the gallery space, the exhibit recontextualizes these works, drawing new parallels and synergies between them.
Sato ‘Meadow’
Sato ‘Meadow’ will feature five large-scale, tailored installations around the fair, spotlighting new themes in contemporary art.
Tomio Koyama Gallery: System of Surroundings – Kishio Suga
GALLERY SIDE 2: Every game begins with “LOVE” – Udomsak Krisanamis
KOTARO NUKAGA: The Cowboy on the Grass – Yuichiro Tamura
MtK Contemporary Art: LINES LINES – Kengo Kito
BLUM: Puff Marshie (Hirosaki Version, Shanghai Version) – Yoshitomo Nara
Ne ‘Root’
Ne ‘Root’ presents five leading foundations, who host special showcases of their work.
Odawara Art Foundation
Founded by contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, will deliver a presentation on the concept of the Enoura Observatory, as well as Kankitsuzan Art Museum, scheduled to begin construction later this year. In addition, the foundation will also present the relocation project of Keika House originally designed by Seiichi Shirai, one of Japan’s leading architects.
Fukutake Foundation
Introduces new activities at Benesse Art Site Naoshima, including the new art museum scheduled to open in spring 2025.
Foundation Yoshii
Introduces Kiyoharu Art Colony, an art and culture complex in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, operated by the foundation as its base.
The Obayashi Foundation
Displays an overview of its support towards artists, thinkers and researchers with a focus on urban development and the building of healthy cities.
CADAN: Contemporary Art Dealers Association Nippon
Presents My Pick, an exhibition in which art collectors introduce their favourite artists and tell how they enjoy collecting art, as well as the activities of the gallery space CADAN Yurakucho, which reopened in May 2024.
Art Talks
♦Friday 5 July
Session 1: 12 PM – 1 PM Dialogue: Art & Architecture
Sou Fujimoto (Architect)
Takeo Obayashi (Chairman of the Board of Obayashi Corporation)
Session 2: 2 PM – 3 PM Aesthetics and Politics of Asian Animation Art
Yuko Hasegawa (Director of 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Program Director for the Art and Design Division at the International House of Japan)
Lu Yang (Artist)
Session 3: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM The Calder Effect
Marc Glimcher (CEO of Pace Gallery)
Alexander S.C. Rower (President of the Calder Foundation)
Mami Kataoka (Director of Mori Art Museum)
♦Saturday 6 July
Session 4: 12 PM – 1 PM ALL THINGS ARE DELICATELY INTERCONNECTED
Soojung Yi (Curator, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea)
Sareena Sattapon (Artist)
Maya Nago (Editor in Chief, ARTnews JAPAN)
Session 5: 2 PM – 3 PM Shaping the Future with Artists: Yusuke Asai × Yokohama Museum of Art
Yusuke Asai (Artist)
Mika Kuraya (Director of Yokohama Museum of Art, Executive Director of Organizing Committee of Yokohama Triennale)
Session 6: 4 PM – 5 PM Paradox as Inspiration: Artistic Practice as Technological Adaptation
Carsten Nicolai (artist and musician as ALVA NOTO)
Daito Manabe (Artist, programmer, and DJ)
Maholo Uchida (Curator, Director of project for the Center for Cultural Innovations at TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY, of East Japan Railway Company)
♦Sunday 7 July
Session 7: 1 PM – 2 PM Deciphering New Trends in the Brazilian Art Scene
Miwa Taguchi (Co-founder of Taguchi Art Collection)
Eriko Kimura (Director of Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art)
Pedro Erber (Professor, Waseda University)
Session 8: 3 PM – 4 PM Art & Lifestyle
Artist Talk: Ritsue Mishima
Ritsue Mishima (Artist)
Jun Ishida (GQ JAPAN Head of Editorial Content)
A children’s art workshop “IntoArt”
IntoArt -Dive into Your Creative Journey- offers a free space that brings art closer to young audiences. Children can participate in workshops led by artists who are exhibiting at Tokyo Gendai, freely create in an open-ended play area filled with art supplies, or enjoy art books and videos at their own pace.
Organised by Gotoschool Inc., the company regularly hosts similar art workshops called “IntoArt – Find your own EDGE Program – by LUMO.” IntoArt is overseen by artist Kohei Nawa and independent curator Kensho Tambara.
Workshop by Gotoschool (image from Gotoschool Inc.)
Tokyo Gendai Information
Date: Fri 5 – Sun 7 July, 2024
* Vernissage: Thu 4 July 2024 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: PACIFICO Yokohama, Exhibition Hall C/D
Tickets: Now on sale
Organiser: The Art Assembly
“ONBEAT vol. 20” features an interview with Magnus Renfrew, co-founder of Tokyo Gendai and Mami Kataoka, director of the Mori Art Museum.
We asked them about their views on the current state of Asia and Japan in the global art scene and market.
