Last week, Tokyo saw four days of exiting new art stuff in Tokyo! The new 101TOKYO Art Fair premiered in the comfy surroundings of an empty gym hall in Akihabara. Fourteen Japanese and fourteen international galleries presented their artist roster, leaving the PingMag all-stars sedulously running around for a lot to discover! Plus all these Bloomberg lectures, art talks, performances and nightly parties… For today, PingMag shows you a sweet visual round up for those who missed it - best of 101Tokyo Art Fair 2008.
Written by PingMag All-Stars
The Opening: A Food Performance That Stirred The Packed Hall
We told already you about the delicious Food Creation art last year. This genuine artist entertains your eyes and your taste buds. And for the opening of 101TOKYO, Food Creation presented a bizarre performance by bearded women and pregnant men entitled “the Menu of Confusion.” Not surprisingly, this specially prepared finger food to stimulate your sensed with its textures disappeared into people’s mouths in no time….
And the finger food served is, of course,…
… entirely edible! Yummy!
Merging Art - With Cake
Osamu Watanabe from Yamaguchi has been applying cake decorations to all sorts of things under the influence of his mother, who was an instructor of a confectionery class. At the fair, @GALLERY TAGBOAT presented his “The Birth of Venus” and “Discobolos” based on the world-renowned masterpieces. We’ll definitely keep our eyes out for more of his humorous works in the future!
“The Birth of Venus” with sweets decor by Osamu Watanabe…
… and a very cakey “Discobolos,” also by Osamu Watanabe.
A Most Colourful Shrine - From Souvenirs
Gallery Zenshi in Kiyosumi, Koto, presented Masaki Kishimoto. Taking a closer look, you can tell that the “Untitled (2008)” consists of a combination of specialities from certain districts and similar objects you wouldn’t normally come across in Tokyo. In fact, the artist apparently gathered up souvenirs given to him by his friends and acquaintances – in other words, “bits and pieces of memories” – to create this piece as a shrine to memory!
The Fruit Battery Table
Jo Coupe’s “Enough Rope,” seen at the stall of Workplace Gallery from Newcastle, is inspired by the fact that potatoes can produce electricity. Still, it left everyone wondering how it actually worked… In the end, the table was going to cut off its own legs - and she was the one to receive the “Bacon,” an award presented to one of the artists represented at 101 TOKYO!
Metaphysic Spaces
Berlin-based artist Heiko Blankenstein, presented by Galerie Alexandra Saheb, Berlin, enlightens our currently rainy days with his mystically green-lit light boxes - Bavarian Alps, anyone? Meticulously he carves out epic landscape panoramas complete with snowcapped mountains, frolicking deer and the (not quite blue) clears skies. Only that this sentimental film setting is transferred into a three-dimensional space that envisions parallel a more urban context where you have members of a rock band simultaneously headbanging towards the amplifier.
Breaking the Waves
Syoin Kajii of FOIL GALLERY in Tokyo. This reclusive Japanese artist actually has a BA in Mikkyo, in esoteric Buddhism, and indeed is a Buddhist monk of the Shingon sect who captured the breaking waves on Sado Island with his digicam. His photo book NAMI from 2004 still feels fresh from the salty spray.
Fine Anime Line Drawing
Does Gatchaman, Vampire Hunter D or Final Fantasy ring a bell? We won’t reveal too much of anime sensei Yoshitaka Amano’s work, since there is soon more to come here… Represented by Hong Kong-based Art Statements Gallery.
Layering Geometry
Asked by un Magazine why she would characteristically combine abstract elements with naturalistic scenarios and whether they had a symbolic meaning, Australian artist Viv Miller replied, “They are not symbolic because they’re empty motifs; they seem to be offering some kind of symbolism but they are more like red herrings.” Layers of geometrical patterns and objects give a nice spatial feel. Presented by Neon Parc gallery from Melbourne.
Expressive Colours By Tim Biskup
You surely must have encountered him before - Tim Biskup is quite well known for his uber sweet vinyl toys and animations. Currently, he is working as a creator of fine arts: His work presented by Iguapop Gallery from Barcelona depicts a woman’s body and face with solid geometry and her lively energy through the use of vivid colours.
A lady in vivid colours by Tim Biskup…
… and the geometric abstractness of a silhouette, also by Tim Biskup.
Indian Art Is The Next Thing!
After studying art, T. V. Santhosh born in Kerala, India, went on to perceive his art career in Mumbai. This blazing photoi experiment his called “STV-152” and was featured by The Guild Art Gallery based in Mumbai and New York.
The Wistful Touch…
Look at these enigmatic creatures made out polystyrene foam and paper! Artist Shintaro Ohara hails from Hiroshima, but lives now in Saitama. His “Hikoki-gumo (Contrails)” was represented by YUKARI ART CONTEMPORARY.
The shy girl - in green. “Hikoki-gumo” by Shintaro Ohata.
The deep thinker contemplating next to you - “Hikoki-gumo” by Shintaro Ohata.
Bleak Supper Including Hoodies
British Maya Hewitt from London shows us a slightly darker version of the Last Supper. Presented by MISAKO & ROSEN, her humorous depiction didn’t miss out on the sneakers and hoodies of the dinner guests…
Family issues by Maya Hewitt…
… and more sadness, by Maya Hewitt.
Back To Nature - On the Fantastic Route
New York’s ATM Gallery featured Saeko Takagi, who also happens to be the partner of artist Masakatsu Takagi. No doubt, her mesmerisingly translucent use of colours caught the eyes of everyone at the fair. By the way, Saeko Takagi has also taken home several prizes, including the Semi-Grand Prix of the Showa Shell Sekiyu Modern Art Award.
The Capsule Toy Factory
Lastly, 101 had a big students’ exhibition on the second floor: as part of the Ochabi Exhibition by Ochabi and the Ochanomizu College of Fine Arts & Design, Ochabi graduate Daiuske Wakano produced a dream-inspiring toy factory made from his favourite capsule toys. As it was switched on, the work fascinated visitors young and old with its rhythmically moving machines. So sweet!
Not To Forget The Atmosphere: The Closing And The Bacon Prize
A rocking 101Tokyo Art Fair opening with Ken Hamazaki’s tea ceremony performance in bright red…
… and the closing reception where Johnny Walker was raising donations for the very first “Bacon” award.
What a whirl! And we had fun, for sure! Finally, on Sunday, the 101 had its very first “Bacon” award, presented by acclaimed conceptual artist Joseph Kosuth. And and? Who won? It was the funny and clever table that cuts off its own legs, done by British Jo Coupe of Workplace Gallery from Newcastle. Congrats! Want to see more eye candy? Head over to our Ping site on Flickr, pelase!
9 Comments
- Share and Enjoy:
As of December 31, 2008, PingMag and sister site PingMag MAKE are both on extended hiatus, and will not be updated for the foreseeable future. We are eternally grateful for your fantastic support over the years.
Important Notice
31 Dec 2008
Ryu Itadani: A World in Colors
29 Dec 2008
Magibon: From YouTube to Japan
26 Dec 2008
Benedetta Borrometi: Cheerful Paintings for All
24 Dec 2008
Nakagin Capsule Tower: Architecture of the Future
22 Dec 2008
Cute and Pop! 60s Girls Comics by Eico Hanamura
19 Dec 2008
Japan’s Hi-Tech Toilets
17 Dec 2008
Amusement: Gaming Culture Meets Art and Fashion
15 Dec 2008
HIROCOLEDGE: A New Tradition that Blends into Modern Times
12 Dec 2008
Masato Seto: The Sweet Allure of Betel Nut Beauties
10 Dec 2008
-
None found
Amano es realmente bueno.
y esta una buena web
Posted by: Diego on April 12th, 2008 at 11:21 am
[...] Ping Magazine recently published a roundup of the best art on show at the new 101Tokyo Art Fair in Akihabara where fourteen Japanese and fourteen international galleries presented artists. [...]
Posted by: Osamu Watanabe’s Classicizing Confectionery at eternallycool.net on April 12th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Sounds like quite an eclectic mix of fantastic artwork. A good reason to head down to Akiba I think. :]
Posted by: blauereiter on April 12th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Nice! I like it all!
Posted by: Akai on April 13th, 2008 at 4:30 am
[...] be in Tokyo last week to attend the 101Tokyo Contemporary Art Fair, PingMag has your back with some great coverage of the event. Read Comments (0) » Related Posts on Kineda: A Fair Use Photo and Image [...]
Posted by: 101Tokyo Contemporary Art Fair » Kineda on April 15th, 2008 at 3:17 am
the work of heiko blankenstein is just amazing. lots of talents in this post. thx for sharing pingmag
Posted by: james | studiosushi on April 15th, 2008 at 3:57 am
[...] There is also a nice report on the 101 Tokyo art fair, with a lot of pictures, at Ping Magazine: Tokyo 101 Art Fair Review - PingMag Maybe Art Fair Tokyo and 101Tokyo will help to create more Japanese art collectors in the future. [...]
Posted by: Art Fair Tokyo - An art market in the making? - JapanForum.com on April 18th, 2008 at 12:03 am
[...] ping mag story on the event [...]
Posted by: 101 Tokyo Art Fair « on April 18th, 2008 at 6:02 am
[...] some reviews of the fair, from PingMag (Focus on art) and BusinessWeek (focus on, wait for it, business - “moderate success”? [...]
Posted by: +digi nikki+東京 » Blog Archive » The 101TOKYO megapost on April 25th, 2008 at 12:23 am