Interview: Mika Ninagawa

An annual after-dark celebration of all things artsy, Roppongi Art Night takes place from September 30 to October 1 this year. One of the biggest names to take part will be decorated photographer and film director Mika Ninagawa, whose vivid, expressive and often very kawaii imagery has won her a loyal following. Set to unveil a new installation that she promises will be ‘fun to photograph’, the artist is taking on a new challenge at the festival.

Ninagawa’s piece is one of the most anticipated artworks at the all-night event, and the woman in the spotlight lets her excitement show: ‘I’m glad they chose me,’ she says. ‘Being a photographer, it’s my first attempt at a large-scale installation. While making it, it suddenly came to me that “Hey, there are hardly any photos here,”’ she laughs.

Ninagawa promises that visitors can look forward to a ‘vibrantly colourful world’ which matches her MO. Although the Tokyo native has worked with faint colours for a touching series of her late father, she is usually associated with the bright, cheery and vivid pieces that have become her trademark.

The installation lets viewers step inside a Ninagawa photograph, letting them see what the artist sees at her sets. It will combine a first-hand experience of the photographer’s worldview with the experience of taking a Ninagawa-style photo and sharing it on social media. This reflects Ninagawa’s ongoing interest in ‘the vanishing of the boundary between presenting art and viewing it’ in the Instagram age.

At Roppongi Art Night, Ninagawa’s installations will be set up in three locations: Roppongi Hills Arena, Tokyo Midtown and the National Art Center. The Arena will also serve as host for the festival’s opening show, which will include a colourful performance.

‘We’re in the midst of preparing for it right now, but I think it’s going to be very interesting,’ says Ninagawa, who lights up when talking about the show. Don’t miss this gathering of unlikely characters, who’ll surely be worthy of Roppongi Art Night’s ‘Festival of the Future’ theme.

But said theme isn’t all about having fun, according to Ninagawa. ‘There’s darkness too,’ she says. ‘On the edges of the light, there’s always desire, confusion and noise. That’s what makes the world interesting.’

And what hopes does Ninagawa have for her audience at the event? ‘I expect them to get right into it, get right to taking pictures.’ A crowd frantically clicking shutters inside a massive Ninagawa piece sure sounds like a compelling image.

Catch Ninagawa's installation at this year's Roppongi Art Night