The “Art Kogei, from Japan to the World Executive Committee” will host the Special Exhibition “The Future of Artisanal Beauty: Vessels, Wrappings, Decorations.” The first exhibition will be held from July 4 to 16, 2024 at TERRADA ART COMPLEX II BONDED GALLERY by Warehouse TERRADA, which leads art projects based in Tennoz, Tokyo. The second exhibition is scheduled from November 3 to 5, 2024 at Kenninji Temple, Kyoto.

The exhibition is supervised and curated by Yuji Akimoto, a professor emeritus of Tokyo University of the Arts, who has held director positions at several museums and continues to engage in numerous art projects. The co-curator is Kentaro Takayama, representative director of artness Inc., who is involved in art fairs and festivals specializing in crafts. This exhibition showcases works by 10 artists who base their work on traditional craft techniques and materials while incorporating the expressive power and concept of contemporary art. The theme is the artisanal beauty of vessel forms, or “utsuwa,” further developing the characteristics of craftsmanship and constituting the exhibition from the perspectives of the concepts of “wrappings” and “decorations.” The exhibition presents a new movement that questions the essence of crafts through unrestricted craft expressions.

The organizer “Art Kogei, from Japan to the World Executive Committee,” aims to create new value by connecting artists who combine tradition and contemporary art with the global market, promoting cultural tourism and generating economic benefits. This exhibition was adopted as a project by the Japan Tourism Agency, following the Special Exhibition “Art Kogei, from Japan to the World: Hikari no Soko: Capturing the Lights,” which recorded over 3,000 visitors last year. This time, exhibited artists will also participate from the Kansai and Hokuriku region. The event will contribute to the recovery from earthquake in the Hokuriku region, an important area for Japanese arts and crafts.

◾️Artists
Genta Ishizuka
Takahiro Kondo
Rui Sasaki
Tanabe Chikuunsai IV
Midori Tsukada
Mayu Nakata
Takuo Nakamura
Koji Hatakeyama
Yoca Muta
Teruri Yamawaki

◾️General information
Special Exhibition: Art Kogei, from Japan to the World “The Future of Artisanal Beauty: Vessels, Wrappings, Decorations”
Website: https://artkogei.com/

Tokyo
Dates: July 4 to 16, 2024, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm *Closed on Monday
Venue: TERRADA ART COMPLEX II BONDED GALLERY (4F, 1-32-8, Higashi Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo)
Free admission

Kyoto
Dates: November 3 to 5, 2024, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm last entrance (Reception closed at 5:00 pm)
Venue: Kenninji Temple Shoin (Komatsu-cho, Yamatooji-dori Shijo-sagaru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-city, Kyoto)
Free admission (Kenninji Temple entrance fee is required)

*Exhibited works may vary between Tokyo and Kyoto

Organizer: The Executive Committee for Art Kogei, from Japan to the World
Co-organizer: MUIC Kansai, Kyoto Prefecture
Supporter: Warehouse TERRADA, LandReam Inc, Kanazawa City, Toyama City
Cooperation: Kyoto Buddhist Organization, Kenninji Temple
Supervisor and curator: Yuji Akimoto, Co-curator: Kentaro Takayama
Venue design: Koichiro Oniki