Five events to keep an eye on at the Japan Cultural Expo – with Ryoko Aoki

Held at the National Art Center, Tokyo from June 24 to August 24 2020, this exhibition sought to compare works of classical Japanese art with pieces by some of the leading artists of our time. Works by the likes of Soga Shohaku and Katsushika Hokusai were juxtaposed with the creations of Tadanori Yokoo, Kotobuki Shiriagari and other noted contemporaries, highlighting their commonalities and differences in a new and inspiring manner.

‘I went to see this exhibition, which featured many works by contemporary artists inspired by classical Japanese art,’ says Aoki. ‘Each artist’s unique perspective really shone through.’

‘I liked Kishio Suga’s response to “Maru Sankaku Shikaku,” a work by the Zen monk Sengai (1750-1837) that is composed only of circles, triangles and squares, and the combination of sculptor Koji Tanada’s art with that of the 17th-century monk Enku. Kotobuki Shiriagari’s tribute to Hokusai was funny, too.’

Note: This exhibition ended its run on August 24.

Held at the Tokyo National Museum from June 30 to August 23 2020, this exhibition dug deep into the history and cultural significance of the kimono. It touched on themes such as the garment's origins, its evolution and its contemporary role, and featured a range of remarkable items – from the only remaining kimono decorated by master painter Ogata Korin and a jinbaori coat worn by the 16th-century warlord Oda Nobunaga to the OTT clothing designs of Taro Okamoto.

‘Unfortunately I didn't manage to catch this one myself, but I heard it was great,’ says Aoki. ‘It generated a lot of buzz on social media. You rarely see this many kinds of kimono in one place, and the historical range – from the Kamakura period (1185–1333) to the present – sounded impressive too.’

Note: This exhibition ended its run on August 23.

The relationship between nature and traditional Japanese crafts, or kogei, was explored in great detail at the Tokyo National Museum between September 21 and November 15 2020. On display in a space designed by architect Toyo Ito were a total of 82 works by artists practicing a wide range of techniques, along with multilingual explanations of the artistic media represented, including pottery, dyed textiles, lacquerware and bamboo crafts.

For Ryoko Aoki, the exhibition stood out for its diversity. ‘Crafts by up-and-coming creatives were displayed alongside pieces like kimonos by Kunihiko Moriguchi, a master whose work was also featured at “Kimono: Fashioning Identities”. The two exhibitions – one focused only on the kimono, the other on crafts in general – provide two different perspectives on the same items. It’s great that a single project (the Japan Cultural Expo) can offer that width of experience.’

‘With kogei, the charm is in the details. Being able to view a work at close range rather than through a glass case adds to the enjoyment.’

Note: This exhibition ended its run on November 15, but a virtual-reality version is available for free viewing here.

A celebration of art and culture set in the forest surrounding Meiji Shrine, this festival zooms in on the relationship between nature and Japanese culture. The diverse programme began with the host venue’s 100th anniversary and is set to run for the foreseeable future. A particular highlight is Tenkukaikatsu, an open-air sculpture exhibition that features fantastical creations by leading artists such as Kohei Nawa and Atsuhiko Misawa – all of whom visited the shrine and studied its history and traditions before creating their pieces. Also of note is the Thanks Flower Project, which runs year-round and adds a bit of blossomy colour to the woods by displaying flowers from throughout the country, with a focus on regions hit by natural disasters in recent years.

‘When I studied abroad at the University of London, one of my classmates was a researcher from Meiji Shrine,’ Aoki recalls. ‘That classmate taught me how the vast forest surrounding the shrine was planted about 100 years ago using some 10,000 trees donated from all over Japan – something I had never realised before. I had simply thought of the place as another shrine with a long history.’

‘The works on display at the festival draw on the traditions of the shrine and on the history of its forest. I find that concept really interesting. In addition, unlike the three events I’ve already discussed, this one is held outdoors. Enjoying art in the midst of nature while right in the heart of Tokyo makes for a special experience.’

The ‘Creative Oita’ project seeks to inject creativity and vitality into local communities with the help of art, thereby empowering education, welfare, business and tourism in Oita prefecture. One highlight of the project is ‘in Beppu’, a community-focused art festival that every year invites a single artist of international renown to showcase their creativity in the picturesque surroundings of Beppu, a city best known for its hot springs. Now in its fifth year, the festival has so far featured Mé, Tatzu Nishi, Anish Kapoor and Kotaro Sekiguchi, and this time highlights the multi-talented Tetsuya Umeda.

For Ryoko Aoki, ‘This event is another notable opportunity for enjoying art in the midst of nature. “in Beppu” draws on the nature and history of Beppu in an interesting manner. Being from Oita myself, it's a festival I’ve kept an eye on since the start.’

‘I’m excited to see how Tetsuya Umeda, a multi-disciplinary artist who knows his way around music as well as the visual and performing arts, will express himself in this unique location.’

Note: This event ended its run on March 14.