Tokyo is the art capital of the World in terms of people actually attending art shows, so what is on offer for Tokyo's army of art lovers desperate to escape the brutal heat of August? TOKYO-MET offers its picks.
JUNICHI NAKAHARA: YEAR 111
Born 111 years ago Nakahara was an artist whose aesthetic defined the modern, consumerist, gynocentric Japan that emerged after the war, through his work for popular magazines like Soreiyu (Soleil), Himawari, Junior Soreiyu, and Onna no Heya. This show at the Shoto includes his illustrations, magazine editing, fashion, and interior design. What Madison Avenue was to America, Nakahara was to Japan! First period: June 29 (Sat.) to August 4 (Sun.) Second period: August 6 (Tue.) to September 1 (Sun.) PRICE: ¥1,o00. Read more here.
Original cover picture for Soreiyu No.31, 1954.
TAKADA KENZO: CHASING DREAMS
One of my things is going "outside my comfort zone," which is always a little dangerous, but one museum I trust to not let me down too much when I do this is Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery. Fashion exhibitions can often be tedious, but TOC's retrospective on the career of fashion design titan, Takada Kenzo, who died in 2020, was pretty interesting. Now to 16th September. PRICE: ¥1,600. Read more here.
Exhibition view
40 YEARS OF PRIDE: TOM OF FINLAND
In the modern age we all have to be, ahem, "better acquainted with LGBTQ+ issues," so it was with some trepidation that I ventured down to the latest FREE exhibition at Diesel Art Gallery in Shibuya on the legendary gay artist Tom of Finland (and friends). After a moment of mild discomfort, I adjusted my frame of reference and suddenly found the whole thing incredibly hilarious. It won't be everybody's cup of tea and it certainly isn't mine, but remember what was I saying above about stepping outside your comfort zone. Diesel are also selling a range of Tom-themed clothes, which I don't really see catching on. Now to August 14th. FREE! Read more here.
Leather Geared, 1987/2007
HIGASHIYAMA KAII AND SUMMER IN JAPAN
Summer is the most contemplative month in Japan, simply because the heat makes you enervated and lethargic. The "purified" Nihonga aesthetic that Higashiyama Kaii developed during his life (1908-1999) evokes this mood of listlessly ogling some aspect of nature, trying desperately not to sweat to death, or move. This show at the "difficult to find" Yamatane Museum of Art includes several key works by the artist supplemented by some older art. Come in and cool down. 20th July to 23rd September. PRICE: ¥1,400. Read more here.
Higashiyama Kaii, Autumn Colors
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