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Tokyo Gendai returns to PACIFICO Yokohama from 5-7 July 2024 (VIP Preview and Vernissage on 4 July), highlighting a selection of the best galleries from Japan, the wider Asia Pacific region and across the globe. Following its successful launch last year, the fair has established itself as an important new addition to the international art calendar, inviting the global art world to explore Japan’s dynamic and rich contemporary art scene.
The international art fair presents visitors with the chance to connect and engage with Tokyo’s vibrant and well-established gallery scene, alongside offering the opportunity to explore new perspectives and exchange ideas through the fair’s extensive programme celebrating the very best that Japan has to offer. Tokyo Gendai also offers a significant opportunity for collectors to discover Japan’s unique and far-reaching cultural offering and exceptional contemporary art.
Eri Takane, Fair Director, Tokyo Gendai, says: “I am thrilled to be working on the second edition of Tokyo Gendai after a successful inaugural year in 2023. In addition to hosting an exciting new gallery line-up, we are welcoming returning galleries both regionally and internationally. The fair
will give audiences an opportunity to discover Japanese culture through our themed sectors and wider programme, encouraging visitors to use this platform to communicate and share ideas with one another.”
Magnus Renfrew, Co-Founder, Tokyo Gendai, says: “I am looking forward to the second edition of Tokyo Gendai, building on the success of last year’s fair where it marked the beginning of a new chapter for the art scene in Japan. The fair acts as an international gateway to Japan’s dynamic contemporary art scene and we look forward to welcoming galleries and visitors alike to explore new perspectives through the incredible work on view and the fair’s extensive programme of talks and events.”
Fair Sectors
Tokyo Gendai presents a world-class showcase of international contemporary art, from established names to cutting-edge emerging talent, acting as a hub of cross-cultural discovery for Asian and international galleries. This year will see the participation of 73 galleries from 20 countries around the world, including Japan, The United Kingdom, USA, France, Germany, Spain and South Korea.
The fair will showcase presentations from internationally recognised galleries, grouped into three sectors: Galleries, Hana ‘Flower,’ and Eda ‘Branch.’
Galleries
Leading international gallery Pace (New York, London, Seoul, Geneva, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Tokyo), participating in Tokyo Gendai with a solo presentation devoted to Robert Longo, will also be opening a gallery in the Japanese capital this year, while exhibiting French gallery Ceysson & Bénétière (Saint-Étienne, Paris, Lyon, Luxembourg, Geneva, New York, Panéry, Tokyo) will open its first Asian location and 8th gallery space in Tokyo this Autumn.
New galleries will join the fair this year, including Galerie EIGEN + ART (Leipzig, Berlin), Gallery EXIT (Hong Kong), Kwai Fung Hin Art (Hong Kong); alongside returning names such as Almine Rech (Paris, Brussels, London, New York, Shanghai, Monaco), BLUM (Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo), Perrotin (Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, New York, Seoul, Shanghai, Los Angeles), Sadie Coles HQ (London), Taka Ishii Gallery (Tokyo, Kyoto, Maebashi) and SCAI THE BATHHOUSE (Tokyo).
Fair highlights include Tang Contemporary’s (Hong Kong, Beijing, Seoul, Bangkok) presentation of bronze sculptures by renowned Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei, who is famous for his conceptual artworks that challenge authority and explore the links between the contemporary world and traditional Chinese culture. Elsewhere, SPURS Gallery (Beijing) will curate a group
exhibition featuring six artists including Anselm Reyle, one of Germany’s leading contemporary artists who is well known for his large-scale, ultra-refined abstract paintings, sculptures and elaborate installations with neon elements. Meanwhile, Each Modern (Taipei) will present a group show titled Writings as the Universe, featuring works that are layered, dynamic, complex, and constantly evolving.
Hana ‘Flower’
20 galleries will showcase either a solo or a dual presentation of artists at an early or mid-stage in their career. Highlights include Alison Jacques’ (London) solo stand of new work created for Tokyo Gendai 2024 by British artist Sophie Barber, whose work explores symbols significant to Japan, while simultaneously referencing Western art historical chronologies. Misako & Rosen (Tokyo) and The Green Gallery (Wisconsin) will share a booth, featuring work by Trevor Shimizu whose paintings explore self-representation.
ANOMALY’s (Tokyo) theme of More Than Human will present the works of two Japanese artists, Yusuke Asai and Keisuke Tanaka, who both explore the relationship between life and nature from their distinct perspectives and point out the feasibility of coexistence with other species. Asai uses earth collected in various places as paints, while Tanaka creates works with sawn lumber. Elsewhere, Retro Africa (Abuja) will feature work by Nigerian artist Yusuff Aina, whose pieces invite viewers to navigate the intricacies of vulnerability, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of personal growth.
Eda ‘Branch’
Eda is a sector of the fair dedicated to solo or multiple artist presentations by established or historically significant figures in Asia. This year, the sector will feature nine galleries including PYO Gallery (Seoul) who will present works by Kim Tschang-yeul, the late South Korean artist known for his abstract paintings of water droplets that depict longing for his homeland. VETA by Fer Francés (Madrid) will present bold paintings by Manuel Ocampo; the contemporary Filipino artist combines references to colonial iconography, Judeo-Christian tradition, folk art, Spanish Catholicism, Manila’s underground culture, cartoons and graffiti to revisit the history of art in a provocative way.
The 2024 edition of Tokyo Gendai will also include four curated programmes: an arts talk programme titled Art Talk; an exhibition titled Tsubomi ‘Flower Bud’, which will showcase works relating to a current social issue; Sato ‘Meadow’, featuring large-scale, tailored installations spotlighting new themes in contemporary art around the fair; and Ne ‘Root’, presenting several leading local foundations hosting special showcases of their work.
Tokyo Gendai is organised by The Art Assembly and is supported by SMBC Group as their principal partner.
Toru Nakashima, President and Group CEO of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, says: “SMBC Group is delighted to have the privilege of supporting Tokyo Gendai as the Principal Partner for the second consecutive year. We hope that Tokyo Gendai will act as a bridge between the world and the Japanese art scene for a wide range of generations, fostering connections between culture and the economy, and contributing to the further growth of the Japanese art market.”
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