101 Tokyo staff

Three weeks of art celebration in Tokyo

By Lucy Birmingham

TOKYO —

Without a doubt, Tokyo is now on the prestigious international “map of art.” Growing interest worldwide, a stronger Japanese economy and an impressive art heritage have led to a bevy of new museums, auctions, galleries and art fairs. Japanese consumers and overseas collectors are buying more works, prompting the art-related industries here to organize more major events.

Coming up is an exciting lineup that includes the third Art Fair Tokyo 2008, the new 101 Tokyo Contemporary Art Fair 2008, and three weeks of art events in the Marunouchi area.

Although Art Fair Tokyo cannot compete with the well-established moneyed art fairs like Tefaf Maastricht in the Netherlands, Art Basel in Switzerland and Art Basel Miami Beach, last year’s sales of approximately $10 million proved that there is potential for growth. Because of the quality and variety of participating galleries, Tokyo Art Fair stands out among a growing crowd of new events now dotting the Asian landscape in cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore and Taipei.

Art Fair Tokyo increased their number of galleries to 108 this year. Over 2,500 works from 600 artists will include, like last year, a full range from Japanese antiques to contemporary art — paintings, prints, ceramics, photography, sculpture and installations. Organizers are anticipating an increase in attendance, up from 32,000 in 2007. “Although the art market in Japan is getting better, we need to create the infrastructure that will support it,” says Director Misa Shin. “This would involve not only collectors and curators, but also industries like tourism and real estate development.”
Wang Nengtao, Brothers and Sisters:-Elder Sister, 2007
Courtesy of Art Beatus Gallery

101 Tokyo Contemporary Art Fair 2008 was borne of a conversation between Julia Barnes and Agatha Wara. Barnes is co-owner of both the Nakaochiai Gallery and art production company Nonaca, and organizes community-focused art events. She first met artist and curator Agatha Wara last July. “I had the idea literally right after the opening of Art Fair Tokyo 2007,” said Barnes. “I knew within 30 minutes of talking with Agatha that with her energy and our backgrounds, we could take this on together.”

Finding the venue, a former junior high school in Akihabara, preceded coming up with the name. “101 — it’s like a university class,” said Barnes. “It’s also the first part of the Akihabara zip code.”

Established Japanese galleries are well-represented at Art Fair Tokyo, so Barnes and Wara decided to focus on up-and-coming galleries with an even focus on international and Japanese art. The final 28 were chosen by a committee of art professionals. “We’ve been amazed at the response from all over the world,” said Wara. “We’ve had to turn away so many galleries.”

Along with the fair itself, 101 Tokyo has organized a series of lectures, performances, parties (at Le Baron de Paris and SuperDeluxe), and even Tokyo’s first art fair prize.

The winner of the Bacon Prize will be decided both by committee and public voting via cellphones. “It’s a first worldwide,” said Barnes. “Art Basel has an online voting system, but not by mobile phones. It’s very Akihabara.”

Over in Marunouchi, the Mitsubishi Estate Co is backing a series of art events called Marunouchi Art Weeks 2008. The company has offered space on the seventh floor of the Shin-Marunouchi building for an exhibition called “End of the Tunnel.”

“It’s a new concept,” said Misako Rosen of Misako & Rosen, one of the seven galleries co-curating the show. “We’re a combination exhibition and mini-art fair, showing and selling works of young, up-and-coming contemporary artists.”

This and other events are part of Mitsubishi’s plan to bring an art focus to Marunouchi. Located in the center of the neighborhood will be the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, to be completed next spring. Since the revitalization of Roppongi, the company has learned that art can enliven an area. Aesthetically pleasing and historically significant, art can indeed be good business.

This article originally appeared in Metropolis magazine (www.metropolis.co.jp)

Additional Information:

Art Fair Tokyo, Apr 4-6. 101 Tokyo Contemporary Art Fair, Apr 3-6. Marunouchi Art Weeks, March 28-April 17.