Art Walk
Can Tokyo Gendai’s Sophomore Edition Build on Japan’s Art World Momentum?
As its VIP preview wraps up today, hopes are high for Tokyo Gendai’s sophomore edition. The fair, which runs through July 7th at PACIFICO Yokohama, aims to build on the momentum established by a strong first outing last year, which arrived after some five years in the making. This year’s fair features 70 galleries (compared to 73 last year) from 20 countries—including the U.S., South Korea, France, Germany, Spain, and the U.K., besides Japan—alongside an expanded public program with talks, satellite events, and youth workshops.
Tokyo Gendai—dubbed the first truly international contemporary art fair in Japan—was co-founded by founding director of Art Basel Hong Kong and its predecessor ART HK Magnus Renfrew, under the umbrella art organization, The Art Assembly, which also runs other fairs ART SG in Singapore and Taipei Dangdai in Taiwan. More than demonstrating a comprehensive discourse between Japan and other parts of Asia, and beyond, the Gendai aims to reinstate Tokyo as a leading global art hub, while naturally reigniting and interconnecting the local Tokyo gallery scene.
Like many participants in Oxfordshire Artweeks – which starts on Saturday – they will be showing their work in galleries and community spaces, but unusually, the artists will also be exhibiting in the town’s windows.
A total of 25 central businesses, including hair salons, fashion and interior stores, will form the Woodstock Art Walk, where visitors will be able to enjoy art as they wander the historic town centre.
