Art Week of Tokyo - Citywide initiative showcases Tokyo’s leading art spaces
Art Week Tokyo is inaugurating an expanded edition this November in collaboration with Art Basel. Organized by Japan Contemporary Art Platform with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Art Week Tokyo Mobile Project Organizing Committee, with support from Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, Art Week Tokyo is scheduled for November 3–6, 2022, with VIP events starting on November 1.
After holding a successful soft-launch edition that welcomed more than 20,000 visitors across 50 participating spaces in 2021, Art Week Tokyo is inaugurating an expanded edition this November in collaboration with Art Basel. Organized by Japan Contemporary Art Platform with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Art Week Tokyo Mobile Project Organizing Committee, with support from Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, Art Week Tokyo is scheduled for November 3–6, 2022, with VIP events starting on November 1.
This year’s edition of Art Week Tokyo will feature an expanded line-up of participants and events, offering four days of coordinated programming across 52 of Tokyo’s leading museums, galleries, and alternative spaces. In addition, Art Week Tokyo will feature a wider range of VIP events and programs as well as a new, free mobile app with custom maps and real-time updates. All participating venues will once again be connected via a complimentary bus service. As Tokyo’s most ambitious citywide initiative for contemporary art to date, Art Week Tokyo will make one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic art scenes more accessible than ever before.
Atsuko Ninagawa, Cofounder and Director of Art Week Tokyo and Owner and Director of Take Ninagawa, said:
“Art Week Tokyo is a celebration of the diversity, resilience, and conviviality of Tokyo’s art scene. The enthusiastic response from participating venues and the tremendous support we have received from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Agency for Cultural Affairs reflects a commitment across all levels of the art community to come together to grow our art ecosystem and enhance its accessibility to broad audiences for contemporary art. The organizational expertise of the Art Basel team has been invaluable in helping us produce an event that will make Tokyo one of the leading destinations for contemporary art in Asia and beyond.”
Photo by Katsuhiro Saiki
About Atsuko Ninagawa
Atsuko Ninagawa is the owner and director of the gallery Take Ninagawa, Tokyo, and the co-founder and director of Art Week Tokyo. Established in 2008, Take Ninagawa is dedicated to promoting emerging and historically significant Japanese artists in a cross-generational, international framework, and to organizing projects with international artists that respond to the Japanese context. Atsuko Ninagawa is on the selection committee of Art Basel Hong Kong and is one of the collaborators behind South South, a new platform for art from the Global South that launched in February 2021.
Adeline Ooi, Director Asia of Art Basel, said:
“We are delighted to renew our collaboration with Art Week Tokyo for this citywide celebration of Tokyo’s thriving arts and cultural scene. Extending our support of this initiative is a natural next step aligned with our deep appreciation for Tokyo’s art and gallery community, and our long-term commitment to strengthening the flourishing art ecosystems across Asia."
A website with full details about participating venues and programs will launch in September 2022.
For the latest updates, follow Art Week Tokyo on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Award Winning Artist Lucas Zanotto Launches First Solo Exhibition, MOODS, in Shanghai
Italian designer, director, and artist Lucas Zanotto brings delightful kinetic characters to life in his first solo exhibition, MOODS, opening December 28th at the historical former St. Mary’s Hall in Shanghai. Hosted by M:87, the multimedia exhibition taps into a new space in the art world, combining life sized physical sculptures with a medley of digital techniques including an augmented reality (AR) installation in collaboration with Acute Art.
Italian designer, director, and artist Lucas Zanotto brings delightful kinetic characters to life in his first solo exhibition, MOODS, opening December 28th at the historical former St. Mary’s Hall in Shanghai. Hosted by M:87, the multimedia exhibition taps into a new space in the art world, combining life sized physical sculptures with a medley of digital techniques including an augmented reality (AR) installation in collaboration with Acute Art.
A winner of international art and design accolades including the Cannes Golden Lion and the Apple Design Award, Lucas has directed numerous animations and films. He has collaborated with artists including KAWS, Josh Sperling and Felipe Pantone, and worked with brands including Google, Amazon, to name a few. Having ventured in the NFT world a few years ago, Zanotto now brings his iconic digital work into the physical art realm with his very first exhibition.
Flipping Mood, CGI Animation, 2021, source: Lucas Zanotto
“It’s an honor to be debuting my first solo exhibition in Shanghai with M:87. Following Covid-19 mandated restrictions that have left artists and art lovers across the world stuck at home, I’m beyond grateful that my immersive exhibition can be experienced in person and in real time. From CGI animation and blackbox projections to AR installations and life-size sculptures, there is a medium for everyone to enjoy in MOODS.”
Playground, CGI Animation, 2021, source: Lucas Zanotto
Behind the artist’s comforting and relaxed artworks lie profound insights into the digital age. An expert in digital art, Zanotto masterfully melds a simple design language with a playful color collection and captivating kinetic motion to deliver works of indescribable spiritual delight. He is best known for his big-eyed kinetic sculpture characters and animated loops, which have taken social media by storm. In the past year, Zanotto has made waves in the NFT world, using the crypto market to spread joy through his lovable geometric characters.
In MOODS, Zanotto constructs a multidimensional event using modeling, materials, and renderings. The contemporary exhibition will be held at the historical St. Mary’s Hall in Shanghai, a former Christian girls school dating back to 1881.
Historical St. Mary’s Hall in Shanghai, a former Christian girls school dating back to 1881.
The exhibition space is divided into seven zones encompassing CGI animation, sculpture, installation, projection, public art, AR artwork, art merchandise, and more. From life-size fiberglass sculptures displayed in the church halls to charming AR characters that can be viewed from different vantage points, audiences can fully engage their senses and immerse themselves in the multimedia experience that is MOODS.
Visitors will be welcomed by six meter tall character balloons on the lawn outside of the church, while Zanotto’s signature “eyes” will greet visitors from the church’s windows and curtain door. Inside the church halls, showcased within nine stunning arches will be the artist’s signature kinetic videos played on loop. At the end of the hall will be a specially curated black box, an immersive room which guests can enter to be surrounded and mesmerized by Zanotto’s iconic animation projections. Integral to Zanotto’s works, music is combined with each animation in order to bring audiences visual and auditory comfort. Installations like “Watery Eyes” will allow visitors to interact with and appreciate the art in another medium.
Take Home MOODS Merchandise
Created specially for this exhibition are 50 sets of limited edition MOODS sculptures featuring five of Lucas Zanotto’s iconic animation characters, “Ehhh,” “Ohhh,” “Mhhh,” “Uhhh,” and “Ahhh”. 20 limited edition wooden versions of the sculptures will also be available for purchase on a first come first serve basis. Take home and call this adorable collection your own along with a special NFT certificate backed by EchoX. Specially designed and available for sale at the exhibition also include MOODS merchandise such as tote bags, clocks, mood tower prints, and magnets.
The limited edition mini MOODS sculpture sets and the full range of merchandise will also be available worldwide via www.m87inno.com and on the M:87 WeChat page, M87art.
M:87 Presents Lucas Zanotto’s MOODS
Date: 28th December - 23rd January 2021
VIP and media preview day: 27th December
Time: Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday 10 am-7pm
Location: Raffles City, Changning, Shanghai
For more information on M:87 and MOODS, including exhibition details, address and opening hours, please visit http://www.m87inno.com.
A story of living in “Craft Comfort” in Tokyo, Japan
The balance of living in a natural environment and the surrounding community, especially in R100 Tokyo Japan. Each house holds a story of its inhabitants; a real life scene with an underwritten script. The following is from a series of short stories that depict scenes from the enriched lifestyles of the residents of R100 TOKYO. In this installment, we would like to give you a peek at the story of our home.
Text by Miki Numata | Translation by Suzi Yamaguchi | Photographs by Teruaki Kawakami, Takuya Furusue
Recipe & Styling by Saiko Hashimoto | Courtesy by R100 Tokyo
The Comforts of home
Each house holds a story of its inhabitants; a real life scene with an underwritten script. The following is from a series of short stories that depict scenes from the enriched lifestyles of the residents of R100 TOKYO. In this installment, we would like to give you a peek at the story of our home; the inhabitants are my wife, who is an aromatherapist, and me, an owner of an IT company, along with our treasured Japanese folk art and old household items lovingly exhibited. This first scene is a weekend afternoon where we have the pleasure of entertaining guests. We are surrounded by my wife’s delicious vegan cuisine and enjoying the serenity of the moment. A clock ticks softly in the background while a large MINO, a traditional Japanese straw garment hanging ornamentally in the living room appears to be watching over the gathering.
Hanging on the wall is an Aomori "Date Gera", a mino garment. It is said that they competed for the most beautiful pattern around the neck.
Balance Living: Boosting Happiness and Creativity
Weekend lunch with a friend and his wife
My wife, inspired, suddenly suggests, “shall we invite someone to have lunch with us on Sunday?” I had not cleaned the house since the traditional end of the year cleaning (in Japan), so I thought it would be a good idea to do so, and at the same time, I could also organize my study, killing two birds with one stone.
My wife has recently started to learn how to cook vegan cuisine. Her hobbies have apparently expanded from aromatherapy, her main business, to include dyeing and weaving with plant dyes, cooking with natural ingredients, and making sweets.
In the past year I have been working from home more and more, so we have been spending more time together than ever before. Perhaps my wife is getting a bit fed up with this, but I am grateful for the change of pace, and it has a positive (and delicious) effect on me!
“I have to start with a welcome fragrance", she excitedly announces, taking over the bedroom in the morning to do what is in my opinion a chemical experiment. It is her theory that the first thing to welcome a guest is the fragrance.
“There, it's done! Bergamot, mint and lemongrass for early summer,” she notes. “Wow, that's refreshing. And it also seems delicious,” I chime in, swept up in her enthusiasm. “Yes, that's important!” she calls back pleased with herself.
The vegetables we order weekly from the farmer have arrived and they are clearly freshly harvested and fragrant. It was a pleasant surprise for me to be able to really feel the seasons just by the contents of this regularly delivered box, as prior to this time, I was mainly facing a computer in an office in the middle of the city.
“Excellent vegetables! Now I'm feeling inspired, so let's get cooking,” chirps my wife.
The aroma coming from the kitchen smells wonderful. Vegetables, herbs, spices and aromas combine to make me feel like I'm in a foreign country.
Surrender your heart to the pleasure of working with your hands.
“I'm going to get some tidying up done. If you need someone to taste test, don't hesitate to call me,” I tease before tending the cleaning. Surrender your heart to the pleasure of working with your hands.
I was born into a family of multi-generational farmers. Our lifestyle was for the most part easygoing, but after moving to Tokyo for university I became an IT enthusiast and decided to become a programmer. Now, the company I set up with my friends is doing well and has a good number of employees, so I am busy. I am not dissatisfied with this life, and it is fulfilling, but in this digital world that is constantly evolving and moving, I sometimes find myself missing the lifestyle left behind.
It was at this time that I first opened my eyes to handicrafts. Handicrafts made by concentrating on the sensations of the hands, craftsmanship learned naturally by heart, folk art and daily utensils handed down from generation to generation. When I interact with such things, I can feel the presence of people, I feel calm and relaxed. The power of the human hand, the warmth of the hand, has a power that cannot be measured by numbers.
“Would you like a taste of my beans?” my wife calls. “I'd love to!” I exclaim. “I like them a little on the soft side, don't you?” She queries. “They are boiled just right. I like them simple. In fact, I could drink to that,” I chide. “That's all you think about. It's only noon!” She teases back easily.
Symmetry
Making Time to Eat Right! Nourish your living and soul nutrition.
There was another reason for inviting our guest today. I wanted to show a friend of mine who works with antiques, this clock that I recently acquired. This clock, called "Yatagarasu", has a timeless story. The Nixie tube, once used all over the world, died out in the 1990s. The oldest digital display in history has been revived and beautifully restored by Yatagarasu! It’s a work of art created by craftsmanship and technology. As someone who works with digital technology, I was shaken when I heard this story.
“How is that clock you’re so proud of doing?” My wife calls out. “It’s perfect, Displaying the time perfectly in a beautiful orange hue.” I proudly call back.”
"Well then it's almost lunchtime. Will you set the table? She requests, eager to deliver a glorious meal. “Yes, ma'am!” I say as I hop to the task.
Today's menu is focused on colourful vegetables. We begin with ground fava bean soup, followed by spring cabbage (resembling a steak) and steamed carrots marinated in dill, sautéed mushrooms with wild rice and dried tomato sauce, orange lentils and brown rice with azuki beans. A platter of cobb salad with salted malt dressing and fried tofu croquettes and pinto beans round out the feast.
“Is this all vegan? No meat, no fish?” Our guest inquires. “Yes, it is. I'm a bit addicted these days. Please enjoy it.” I respond eager to tuck in.
I've known my friend, who runs a small gallery selling antiques and folk art, for about five years. We met when I was drawn to the Mino garment that was on display in his shop when I dropped in, and that's when I bought it. His wife is a textile artist and also my wife's dyeing and weaving teacher.
As we enjoyed the meal my friend commented, "I'm glad to see that you've kept the Date Gera (Mino garment) on display. It looks much better than when it was in the shop. You collect a lot of things, don't you? From folk tools to art, it's like a gallery.”
“Oh, a compliment from a professional,” I must admit I felt pleased by the remark. “The clock under the Mino is a bit unusual, I hope you'll take time to have a look at it later.”
It's nice to have a relaxed meal with friends who have similar tastes to your own. And I realize the importance of meeting people in person. These days we work remotely and have meetings over the screen. It's a wonderful evolution to be able to communicate in real time with people who are far away, but it's only when we meet face to face that we can truly interact.
Our guests were full of compliments after the meal.“We had so much food and it was really delicious. You are a very good cook. I would like to learn from you next time,” my friend’s wife graciously exclaimed.
“Thank you for the delicious meal, I am so full. It was beyond my expectation for a restaurant,” my friend added.
Beaming my wife replied, "Oh, thank you. It was worth the effort then. After dinner let’s have a cup of tea over there. It's not quite medicinal, but I have prepared a tea that will help your digestion after your meal.”
The comfortable place to live in Harmony
The balance of living in a natural environment and the surrounding community
I spend most of my time at work and only sleep at home. There were days like that in the past. And while I believe that this is also an important experience, I now truly feel how important it is to have a comfortable home to live in. Whether you are working or living, the temperature and texture of the air created by a place will deeply affect you. When I experience the comfort of living surrounded by things that match my wavelength, I am convinced that this is where I belong, and I feel at ease.
For me, this is living with crafts and folk art that are made by human hands and that speak to me. I was a little intimidated by that front at first, but now I feel at home. It looks like it's really comfortable.
The gentle light of early summer warmly illuminated our room.
Want to discover what is R100 Tokyo Curiosity Magazine?
Please visit https://r100tokyo.com/
Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok opens and marks the debut of Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants in South East Asia
IHG ® Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, brings Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ signature heartfelt service and distinctive design to the heart of Thailand with the opening of Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok.
Located in Bangkok’s Langsuan area, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok offers convenient access to prime districts such as Sukhumvit, Silom, Siam, and Chidlom, and serene views of the tranquil Lumphini Park – one of the city’s largest green spaces.
The hotel takes its name after Maa-lai, the traditional Thai floral garland symbolic of welcome, good health, and respect to honor guests, families, and loved ones. This art form has inspired many contemporary interpretations and resonates perfectly with Kimpton in Bangkok, where age-old traditions take on a modern edge.
Kimpton spaces and experiences center on its guests, offering an inspiring design that evokes curiosity, to forward-thinking flavors that feed the soul. The hotel’s design narrative was brought to life by P49 Design and fuses storied Thai history with the urban intensity of the city, by mirroring the relentless tempo of life in the old capital through handwoven Thai textiles and echoing the edgy eclecticism of modern Bangkok. This resonates through raw concrete, oversized furnishings, and metallic touches, and translates into the inspired design from the hotel public areas to restaurants and bars, and the artfully designed guest rooms and private residences.
All 362 of the hotel’s rooms and suites – including 131 serviced residences – are the epitome of design-led luxury, each thoughtfully designed with bespoke amenities and inspiring décor, promising an immersive experience for all who stay. Whether guests are looking to relax in the comfortable 48sqm Deluxe Room after sightseeing and shopping or enjoy the whirlpool jacuzzi in the spacious 320sqm Celebrity Suite for an anniversary treat, there are layers of detail at every turn.
Bespoke HARNN bathroom amenities, a VIFA Helsinki sound system, robes by Christian Develter for Tube Gallery and a curated personal bar stocked with bottled cocktails by LAIBA and artisanal local snacks are just a few highlights of the luxuriously appointed rooms. Suite occupants also enjoy access to the Maa-Lai Lounge on the 30th floor, where they can savour the sight of lush Lumphini Park and Bangkok’s characteristic skyscrapers from dawn to dusk.
First-class food and beverage programmes play a big part in Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants across the world. Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok boasts four distinct and immersive dining venues. CRAFT is a haven for brew lovers with a unique selection of local and international single-origin coffee and coffee blends, beer and cocktails, while Stock. Room elevates the neighbourhood grocerant concept with seasonal pop-up kitchens serving Thai street eats to have on-site or take home. Sophisticated cocktail bar, Ms.Jigger, presents narrative-driven cocktails while Bar. Yard hosts a rooftop barbecue with tropical drinks, farm-to-plate comfort grills, DJs and stunning city skyline views.
The hotel’s lifestyle programming – part of Kimpton’s DNA – delivers memorable experiences; starting with a morning kickstart coffee and tea, to yoga lessons with breathtaking views from level 41 and Kimpton’s Social Hour, where the brand’s vision to enable human connection comes to life as guests mingle with locals. The hotel adopts Kimpton’s industry-leading pet-friendly attitude and provides all four-legged friends with their own amenities and menu.
With connection and wellness top of mind, the GYM provides professional-led nutrition consultation, high-intensity workout classes and zen stretches, while the amaranth spa by HARNN is a sanctuary of serenity with nature-inspired spa treatments, manicures and pedicures. Guests can also enjoy a refreshing dip in the hotel’s outdoor pool which overlooks the sprawling green park.
For more information, please visit: www.kimptonmaalaibangkok.com
THE ROLLING STONES OPEN ‘WORLD EXCLUSIVE’ FLAGSHIP STORE IN LONDON
On September 9, 2020, The Rolling Stones will open the doors to their world-first flagship store, ‘RS No. 9 Carnaby’ in the heart of London’s Soho, at 9 Carnaby Street.
Created in partnership with Bravado, the store will be home to an exclusive mix of collections and collaborations for fans of all ages and will feature a bespoke T-shirt customization station. Framed in an exceedingly contemporary red and black shop fit, visitors will be able to explore the diverse product offering whilst listening to tracks from the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band in the world!
On September 9, 2020, The Rolling Stones will open the doors to their world-first flagship store, ‘RS No. 9 Carnaby’ in the heart of London’s Soho, at 9 Carnaby Street.
Created in partnership with Bravado, the store will be home to an exclusive mix of collections and collaborations for fans of all ages, and will feature a bespoke T-shirt customisation station. Framed in an exceedingly contemporary red and black shop fit, visitors will be able to explore the diverse product offering whilst listening to tracks from the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band in the world!
The store’s windows feature a world first soundwave installation – taken from the opening to the 1966 hit track ‘Paint It Black’. The audio of the beginning of the iconic song is visualised as a soundwave and reinterpreted into a striking red metal sculpture.
Jointly curated by the Rolling Stones and Bravado, the shop fit follows the brand colours of red and black. The glass floor features many of the bands lyrics, and the fitting rooms are adorned with iconic album artwork; Exile on Main Street (1972) and Some Girls (1978).
Inside, there is an exclusive and curated mix of collections and collaborations for fans of all ages. The store will also introduce ‘Stones Red,’ the official colour from Pantone which is seen in the design elements of the store as well as an exclusive apparel and accessories collection.
Sound, vision, and lighting are key store components. Five, 90 inch portrait screens display a film made exclusively for the store showing footage across the rich history of the band. Speakers from high end British audio brand Bowers & Wilkins will play tracks from the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band in the world.
“With this innovative partnership, the Rolling Stones add yet another cultural touchpoint to their rich legacy. RS No. 9 Carnaby is the result of years of planning and decades of building one of the world's most recognized brands. It creates a destination where fans can connect and immerse themselves in the music, style and spirit of one of the world's most iconic and beloved bands.”
Mat Vlasic, CEO, Bravado.
Exclusive store collaborations include Chateau Baccarat, from French luxury brand Baccarat, a collection of crystal wine glasses, champagne flutes, tumblers, wine decanter, and a beer glass engraved with the Tongue and Lips of the Rolling Stones. Other exclusives include The Soloist chairs and scarves and from premium Swedish raincoat brand Stutterheim there is a handcrafted high quality rubberized cotton raincoat that features the Rolling Stones logo. More exciting collabs will be announced soon.
One for superfans are the 10 limited edition signed and numbered framed artworks by John Pasche, the original creator of the iconic Rolling Stones logo, which was first used on the Sticky Fingers LP in 1971.
The store also features a bespoke T-shirt customization station – choose from an array of exclusive designs on the touch screen menu to create something unique.
“Soho has always encapsulated Rock ’n’ Roll so Carnaby Street was the perfect spot for our own store. We are confident this exciting project that our friends at Bravado have created will be an unrivalled experience for everyone to come to London and enjoy.” The Rolling Stones said.
It is a bold time to launch a permanent retail space in London, but RS No.9 Carnaby Street will provide a major long-term boost to music tourism in the capital, as one of the most iconic music British brands and bands of all time, launches this unprecedented experience on London’s historic Carnaby Street in Soho, which has been synonymous with British music culture since the sixties.
The Rolling Stones’ deluxe reissued 2020 version of their historic ‘GOAT’S HEAD SOUP’ album, out this week, looks set to top the U.K. album charts, 47 years after its first release.
Rolling Stones fans not able to visit can also experience it through a bespoke online store and experience which will be going live shortly - https://no9carnabyst.rollingstones.com
For more information, please visit: www.rollingstones.com
ALL ASSETS COURTESY: THE ROLLING STONES / BRAVADO