The exhibition focuses on the topics of “perception” (Japanese “Chikaku”), “time” and “memory”. Concentrating on these topics and in collaboration with Adam Budak and Seiichi Furuya, the art scientist Toshiharu Ito defines afresh what are for Japanese art some highly characteristic positions, albeit scarcely presented together until now.
The spatial concept that was developed especially for Kunsthaus Graz offers altogether appropriate circumstances for pursuing the manifold and winding paths of contemporary artistic expression. Makoto Sei Watanabe, one of the most important contemporary Japanese architects, is responsible for the exhibition design.
The exhibition includes contemporary art, photography, video/film, media art and architecture. It casts new light on the complex shades and dimensions of Japanese art, visualises connections between works from various epochs and genres, creating new relations. Last but not least, this multi-layered approach sketches out links and interdependencies that had scarcely been traced until now.
Modern Japanese art was created under the complex influence of brisk modernisation and rapid technological progress. In the course of this development it exhibited an essential relation to the problems of society in dealing with technology and the environment, the latter being of global importance today.
The exhibition formulates new discursive approaches, analysing the validity of the aesthetic values of the west in the face of our extremely complex present, determined by dramatic changes in the realm of media and communication systems and a growing dependency on technology. “Chikaku. Time and Memory” in Japan aims at nothing less than a rethinking of the importance and rich variety of possibilities borne by art in the 21st century.
With works by Masaki Fujihata, Rieko Hidaka, Takashi Ito, Emiko Kasahara, Tadashi Kawamata, Yayoi Kusama, Trinh T. Minh-ha, Hiroyuki Moriwaki, Daido Moriyama, Takuma Nakahira, Tetsuya Nakamura, Motohiko Odani, Taro Okamoto, Yoko Ono, Yutaka Sone, Yoshihiro Suda, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Makoto Sei Watanabe, Masaaki Yamada, Miwa Yanagi.
