Eight years into the new millennium and the question arises: where are we headed, now that we live in the century once hailed as the future? This question is the springboard and theme for our third exhibition, starting on the first anniversary of 21_21 Design Sight's opening in 2007. The exhibition title refers of course to the 21st century, and by "Man", to those of us living here, now. The title also expresses a desire to place our hope in the future. The focus of this show is on the 21st century and its people as a means by which to explore ideas for building a better future for this century and beyond. Exhibition director Issey Miyake has done extensive research to prepare for the show, which includes a wide spectrum of Japanese and international creators, all of whom address today's many doubts and insecurities through their own individual form of creative expression. Please see the website for more information and related events.

On June 19th 1983, "Shu Uemura Beauty Boutique (present Omotesando shop)" was open in Aoyama and Omotesando as the first full-scale beauty boutique in the world. Celebrating the 25th anniversary, this exhibition is held as part of this year's theme project "Susabi Project". Having "an artist's open atelier" as main concept, this exhibition introduces the world of Shu Uemura. The exhibition consists of 3 different themes: In "Boutique", the worldwide success of boutique and its history will be examined; "Atelier" introduces the world of the artist; In "Theater", collaborative works by the creators from various genres, such as the fashion duo Viktor & Rolf, and a group of animators "Genius Party", will be on display. Visitors will experience Shu Uemura's uniquely artistic space. -Eyelash Night Date & Time: June 13th (Fri) 21:00-4:00 Location: Mad Lounge (Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 52F) Please see exhibition website for more details.

Shiro Sano, who directed the film which took work by photographer Masaharu Ueda as its motif, is known as a photo lover. This exhibition showcases his own photo work as well as a group of precious photos from old albums handed down in Sano family. The photographs from the album covering 6 generations of Sano family, such as family portrait from the Meiji period, photo taken by Sano's grandfather who belonged to an amateur photo club, Sano's mother's portrait taken by his father and many more, allow viewers to look back at the modern era of Japan. It's hoped that viewers will feel the importance of documenting precious moments with their families with film cameras. [Image: "Girl on Ice" (1998)]

Having studied under the wizard of bamboo basket-making Rokansai Iizuka, Hafu Matsumoto creates sculptural bamboo baskets as carrying on his master's will. By applying a variety of traditional weaving methods, he realizes exquisite forms, which have earned much acclaim internationally. Having learned in Oita prefecture, one of the most famous bamboo-producing sites in Japan, Masamitsu Hayashi and Shinya Abe reflect their love for the material on their works within which both sinuous beauty and practicality exist. Yukihito Tanaka was allured by a piece of old Indian red calico in his late twenties. After many trials and errors, he innovated his own woodcut calico and has produced exclusively red-dyed calico for over 30 years. With the display of bamboo and calico works, this exhibition sheds light on artistries and craftsmanship of these artists. [Image: Yukihito Tanaka "Calico"]

Opening Reception I: June 21st (Sat) 18:00 － 20:00

In March of this year, the Galleria Carla Sozzani (10 Corso Como) in Milan received rave reviews for their exhibition of the latest collection from photographer Muga Miyahara, "Tokonoma", and in response to calls to bring Miyahara's collection to Japan, the Emon Gallery in Hiroo will open an exhibition of these works. Included will be Miyahara's previously unreleased new work, "Nulla nasce dal nulla", an exciting piece in no way inferior to "Tokonoma". The "Tokonoma" collection features photographs of art works created by Miyahara himself placed in the tokonoma, or ornamental alcove of traditional Japanese houses, in place of Japan’s classical scroll pictures and ikebana flower arrangements usually found there. These art works are the physical expression of Miyahara's childhood memories as well as his messages toward society. They are filled with humor, being comprised of wigs, toys and even chocolate. The moment they are placed in the microcosm of the tokonoma, they bring a minute vibration to every corner of the space, trying to take an even more symbolic position within this tension-filled space. The names of the works seem to invite the viewer into trying to figure out their riddles. With a playful sense of shrinking the distance between the viewer and work, Miyahara, who has told of being influenced by the painter René Magritte, applies Magritte's concept of "visible thinking" captivatingly. Miyahara's unique idea of combining the polar opposites of junk art and Japan's traditional culture draws a clear line from surrealistic abstraction and within the frame his message resonates through his beautiful imagery. The second phase of this exhibition features the series work "Nulla nasce dal nulla". This title is an Italian proverb, "Nothing comes out of nothingness". This 16-piece series tells a story though photographs. The main character of this tale, a young woman, lives her life with her heart burdened by unspeakable fears. The story ends surprisingly, with an ending that plays the viewers' heartstrings. Miyahara adds these words to this collection: Throw away your mask. When you do, your individuality begins to shine. This exhibition offers an experience unlike any other. This is a wonderful opportunity to come into contact with the works of the artist Muga Miyahara.

The Turner Prize is one of the most important prizes in the art world today. Organized by the Tate galleries and presented annually since 1984, it represents a major steppingstone for young British artists. The Prize is unique because it is not restricted to conventional media – such as painting, sculpture or photography – but may include new and diverse forms of expression. The awards ceremony is telecast live and is a highly anticipated national event in Britain. This exhibition – the first time that works by all past Prize-winners have been exhibited together– provides an opportunity to examine changes in the Prize over the years. It is at the same time a retrospective of British contemporary art, with work by the likes of Gilbert and George, Tony Cragg, Anish Kapoor, Damien Hirst and Wolfgang Tillmans. Related public programs: "British Contemporary Art and the Turner Prize" (headsets with Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation provided) We have invited the director and curator of the Tate in London to give a lecture about one of the most important prizes for contemporary art, the Turner, as well as about the history of its reception. Sir Nicholas Serota (director of Tate Museum) LIzzy Carey-Thomas (curator, Tate Britain) Moderator: Fumio Nanjo (director, Mori Art Museum) Date and time: April 25th (Fri), 19:00-21:00 Venue: Academy Hills, 49F (Mori Tower, 49F) Organized by Mori Art Museum and Academy Hills Limited to 350 persons. Fee: Regular ¥1000, Students and MAMC members ¥500 To reserve a place, please visit the Mori Art Museum website. Artist Talk (Japanese-English consecutive interpretation provided) Artists whose work is being shown will talk about their work. Date and time: April 26th (Sat), 14:00-16:00 Speakers: Rachel Whiteread (1993 Turner recipient), Martin Creed (2001 Turner recipient), others Venue: Mori Art Museum 53F exhibition gallery 1 Limited to 100 persons per talk (first-come first-serve basis, reservation not required) Fee: Free (admission to exhibition required) [Image: Damien Hirst "Mother and Child, Divided" (1993) Steel, GRP composites, glass, silicone sealants, cow, calf, formaldehyde solution 208.6 × 332.5 × 109cm (×2), 113.6 × 169 × 62cm (×2) Astrup Fearnley Museum, Oslo]

Since prehistoric times the Japanese have employed kazari (the act of adorning) with great enthusiasm and to great effect in all aspects of daily life, from clothes to periodic festivals and ritual ceremonies conducted before battles. Kazari provided a sort of transformative medium during festival periods through which ordinary space and the mundane world was temporarily transformed into something extraordinary and sacred. The act of kazaru (adorning) momentarily lifted one's spirits from the everyday realm and offered a tantalising glimpse of the exotic pleasures that lay beyond those designated by strict boundaries of status and class. Efforts to adorn (kazaru) at times reveal a surprising disregard for practicality, but have proven to be a profound motivating force in Japanese culture. This exhibition explores the multifarious nature of kazari, which in a sense lies at the origin of Japanese culture. Kazari is present both in prehistoric Jômon ceramics and in contemporary art. It is alive in the fields of painting, craft, performance art, and the kazari of elegance (furyû), which can be viewed in festivals. We are delighted to be able to present to you the timeless world of kazari, where functionality, beauty, the sacred and the secular collide to forming an unexpected unity. [Image: Jôruri monogatari handscroll, third scroll, attributed to Iwasa Matabei Katsumochi, Edo period MOA Museum of Art]

Born in 1971, Saskia Olde Wolbers creates videos with a mysterious transparency. After creating elaborate handmade models, Wolbers films them, building up stories within. The constructed worlds on the screen may be beautiful, but show no people and are desolate. Combined with a soft, somewhat magical voice-over, her images penetrate deep into the minds and memories of viewers. Each of her works raises doubts about the truth of a world that we had believed to be real, giving a glimpse of the extent to which what we perceive as reality is in fact a constructed artifact. In 2003 Olde Wolbers won the Baloise Art Prize at Basel Art Fair, followed by the Becks’ Futures Award in 2004. She was also selected for ARTFORUM magazine’s “Best of 2005: 11 critics and curators look at the year in art,” demonstrating her growing reputation and potential. The timing is perfect for Mori Art Museum to bring her art to Japan. -Artist Talk April 26th (Sat) 17:00-18:30 *with consecutive interpretation. Location: 52nd Floor Information Counter

Ichikawa started working with delusionary "sub-erotic" themes and Hokusai-influenced motifs and styles last year, giving them a contemporary treatment. 10 new works of "neo-japonisme" are on display. A party for the artist will be held on June 25th. All are invited to attend.

Having gathered fragments of optical sensation in New York since the latter half of the 1980s, Tokio Ito came back to Tokyo and started taking photographs of his neighborhood and other familiar phenomena while projecting his own sentiments. Ito is holding this solo exhibition in order to verify himself where his own drifting gaze is heading to.

[Image: Mikiko Konishi "The Very Thought of You!" (2008) Video sound installation]

Thanks to parents who were both artists, Zenitani started cultivating a close relationship with nature and art from an early age. Awa-odori, a traditional dance from her hometown in Tokushima prefecture, has been Zenitani's spiritual base as well as one of the crucial inspirations for her artistic creations. The rhythm and dynamism of Awa-odori generates a unique sense of exaltation, and its energy lingers subliminally in her paintings. How to stand face to face against the extraordinary presence of Awa-odori, and how to channel its energy and harness it to her own artistic expression...these difficult questions led her to explore new means of rendering form, bringing her eventually to the realm of abstract expression. In this regard, Zenitani has a more solid and unique motivation for her art production than other artists. Zenitani strives to render uplifting, dynamic worlds by subconsciously adjusting and modulating the color and volume of her paints, while at the same time being influenced by the common, everyday phenomena that surround her.

Novel exhibition by Kosuke Sanaki, aka mkksk, including this new works based around Coexist's concept "We Think The Earth Through The Art". In addition, candles made from waste oil and other limited edition products with eco-friendly designs by Coexist and filt will be on display and for sale. Live performance by Coexist and Franx Date & Time: July 12th (Sat) 18:00- Fee: ¥500

Naohiro Ukawa is a rare artist working with perhaps the most freedom anywhere in Japan, erasing the existing frameworks dividing fine art from mass culture. Any object or phenomenon is fair game and potential subject for his work, which crosses genres and freestyles in all directions. This "Extremely Best" of Ukawa's work, "Ukawartchives #1" exhibition showcases this talented artist's artistic libido, crossing national boundaries and attracting admirers everywhere. This exhibition is not just a retrospective snapshot of Ukawa's work, but a living, writhing vivisection of the fresh blood of this artist!!! (Text by Dario Argento, film director) Opening Reception: June 21st (Sat) 19:00-21:00

Koinuma's thickly-daubed oil paintings are inspired by focal incidents in contemporary society that have stirred up controversy in recent years. His works are rendered in dark colors with unusually bright highlights in certain portions of the canvas, provoking a sense of pain and disillusionment in the viewer, and creating an overall sense of unease. Koinuma's work is remarkable for channeling the deaths of others in incidents seemingly unrelated to oneself, drawing them uncomfortably near and rendering them somewhat familiar and impossible to ignore, stirring up inner emotions such as terror, agony and hopelessness. Also depicted is the irremediable sense of being unable to recover what has been lost felt by the perpetrator of the incident, an awareness of unpardonable wrong, an awareness that is paradoxically connected to an intense and renewed awareness of life precisely through that brush with death. The fact that any pronounced sense of danger is felt to be lacking in these works is testament to Koinuma's gift for depicting the flipside of the equation, an enhanced appreciation of life. Opening Reception: June 21st (Sat) 17:00-19:00

"Graphic Design in Japan" is the yearbook first published in 1981 by Japan Graphic Designer Association, consisting of 2500 professional members. Ever since, this heavily-illustrated yearbook has annually introduced selected works from stringent screening process. Celebrating the publication of 2008 edition at the end of this month, this exhibition showcases about 300 design works (both life and video screening), which cover all sorts of media: sundries, books, product packages, symbol logos, posters, advertisement, websites, videos and spatial design among others. There will also be talk shows by graphic designers and art directors during the exhibition. Please visit the exhibition website for more details.

Gallery Side 2 is pleased to present "Transaction," a two-person exhibition by Yumiko Furukawa and Yasuko Watanabe. Yumiko Furukawa creates sculptural works that question the gap in perception between oneself and others by quoting popular novels. In this exhibition, she captures scenery intuitively in the form of sculpture. Yasuko Watanabe, a young and emerging female artist who held her debut solo exhibition in January this year, has produced works by utilizing various media such as photography, drawing and sculpture. Her works make free associations with the world outside the frame, dancing lightly at the boundary between the usual and the unusual.

Nakagawa's painting takes its starting point from contextless, apparently incoherent images resembling fragmentary landscapes that contain chains of mountains and thick, luxuriant forests, scenery that issues from his mind's eye. These landscapes give expression to a worldview that stands at the border of figuration and abstraction, with its beautiful colored surfaces and shapes that seem to be hidden away in the depths of the painting. The overlapping colors and lines collectively give rise to the discovery of new contours which are different from effects produced by the multiple layering of paint. Controlling these images is not the hand of Nakagawa himself, but rather the process of entrusting oneself to the canvas and eliminating the individual trace of the author and his technique, giving rise to an expressive painted surface that cannot be distinguished as either abstract or figurative. Such a process is vital to Nakagawa's work in his search to give expression to pure events and phenomena in an unaffected, unmediated way, one that occurs at an unconscious level, before conscious choices that are made as a result of visual information processed by the brain begin to take effect. The works in this exhibition, in addition to the richness of color and structure of Nakagawa's previous work, evoke a faint sense of unease. This sensation is perhaps due to the errant lines on the pictorial surface and the trace left behind by the repetition of layered colors. These impressions also convey something of the laborious process and time expended in the period leading up to the completion of the painting. The title of the exhibition, "Call At", evokes the idea of a visitation, or notification by way of sound. On the one hand, this refers to the act of appealing to or influencing someone else, while this directionality also hints at the impression given by the work that "visits" or "calls on" the viewer, prompting each individual viewer to respond and answer this "call" in their own way. While this is a fairly fixed posture that the work seems to operate with, this exhibition also demonstrates the expanding breadth and expressiveness of Nakagawa's work, the first to present his new works in 2 years. Opening: June 21st (Sat) 18:00-

Emily Kame Kngwarreye (1910-1996) is one of the representative Australian artists. During her carrer, she produced beautifully innovative works with her unique Aboriginal view of the world. On the other hand, her works are extremely modern and can be compared to abstract expressionists' works. Over 120 works, including well-known "Big Yum Dreaming", will be on display, revealing art of Kngwarreye for the first time in Japan. Please see exhibition website for more details.

Greenery and water are essential for life not only for humans, but also various other living beings. These vital resources have however been damaged over time due to the exacerbation of global warming. This exhibition showcases photographs by Shuichi Endo, representative commissioner of Tuvalu Overview, an environmental NGO that has attempted to grapple with such issues, as well as alpinist Ken Noguchi, alongside works by notable nature photographers. Works by these nature photographers convey powerful yet alluring images of greenery and water, life-giving elements that constantly breathe new life into the earth even in a time of dire climate change and global warming. Other photographer whose main focus is on environmental problems will also exhibit works with images like "Tsubaru Country", a country consisting of 9 small islands in the South Pacific Ocean which is about to sink into the ocean due to the rise in sea level. It is hoped that this exhibition will give viewers an opportunity to become more conscious about our environment and to feel the need to protect our greenery and water, vital resources for life itself. Concurrently, this exhibition will cooperate with the "Our Earth to Protect" project promoted by the NPO Gaia Initiative Tomoyo Nonaka. An "Our Earth to Protect" photo contest will also be held. Taking the title of the project as its theme, photos taken mainly using mobile phones will be submitted, and prize-winning works will be exhibited at Fujifilm Square. Moreover, these photos will be available for view from all over the world. Please visit the exhibition website for more details.

The TV celebrity Maki Horikita always carries her camera around and takes photos all the time. "Photographs are precious memories of my life" says Horikita. On view at Photo Cafe on the 1st floor of Fujifilm Square are photos Horikita took in various places she visited. It's hoped that viewers will enjoy a sense of spontaneity emanating from her work.

CB Collection Roppongi is delighted to present "CB Janes", a group exhibition of female artists. Artists of different nationalities and ages are represented, including Marilyn Minter, who designed the catalog cover for the Whitney Biennale two years ago; Ghada Amer, an Egyptian artist who is currently showing at the Brooklyn Museum; as well as Japanese artists Chiho Aoshima and Ayako Rokkaku. These ten artists bring their varying styles and media to 29 works, each with their own special character that becomes all the more apparent by being exhibited side by side. [Image: Marilyn Minter, "Shit Kicker" (2006), 153x215.9cm, C-print ed.3]

With a history of winning many national and international awards including the Pritzker Prize, Australian architect Glenn Murcutt is a representative master in the contemporary architectural world. After establishing his own office in 1969, he has taken the stance of doing all design-related tasks himself, employing neither staff nor secretary, and not relying on computers. Including unbuilt projects, he has undertaken about 500 designs, focused on private houses. These works pay constant attention to the climate of Australia, and are exemplified by a group of houses emphasizing sustainability, in an admirable resonance and unity with their environment. Without relying on mechanical equipment such as air conditioning, achieving natural ventilation through space planning and aperture layout, skillfully controlling light, shadow, wind, and insect damage through openings comprising three layers of precisely movable louvers, screen doors, and glass doors, with rainspouts and rainwater tanks in order to mitigate water shortages, built with recyclable materials allowing repeated extensions and alterations… Throughout the details of Murcutt’s architecture there are devices that confront the natural environment and make maximum use of its endowments. This exhibition will be Japan’s first broad introduction to the architecture of Glenn Murcutt. In addition, on June 12, the opening day of the exhibition, Murcutt will give a lecture on the occasion of his first visit to Japan. Introducing the charm of the architectural works of a man who says, “I have always believed in the act of discovery rather than creativity. We do not create the work. I believe we, in fact, are discoverers. I see architecture as a path of discovery and that is very important for me,” not to mention a personage worthy of respect, please do not miss this exhibition and lecture. Lecture on June 12th, 2008 in English *Simultaneous interpretation from English into Japanese will be available. Admission free Doors open at 17:30, starts at 18:30 Apply here: http://www.toto.co.jp/gallerma/ex080612/sympsm_e.htm Venue: Yomiuri Hall In front of the Exit for ‘Tokyo International Forum’ at JR ‘Yurakucho’ Station, Directly to the Hall, please take the Exit-D4, D6 of ‘Yurakucho’ Station on the Yurakucho-line or ‘Hibiya’ Station on the Mita-line, 3 min from the Exit-A2 of ‘Hibiya’ Station on the Chiyoda-line, 5 min from the Exit-C9 of ‘Ginza’ Station on the Ginza, or Chiyoda-line

The Canadian Embassy presents an exhibition of around 25 works by George Raab who is based in Millbrook, northeast of Toronto. Raab has gained an international reputation for his wilderness landscape etchings. His etchings for the most part are peaceful and contemplative. Some have a sense of mystery and many are winter scenes; the season in which the landscape is reduced to mere silhouettes of leafless trees and little colour. This exhibition features his landscape etchings of Canada’s natural areas including the new work of the large screen of a forest landscape. His intention was to create a bridge between his imagery and a traditional Japanese presentation. Raab also has the hope that in some way, his images kindle a keener appreciation of our diminishing natural environment and in turn cause us to think more about the importance of protecting it for aesthetic inspiration and biological diversity. The techniques he uses to create his original intaglio prints are etching, aquatint, engraving, photo-etching, and watercolour painting. The etching plates are hand worked, proofed and printed on his manual etching press and some of the resulting images are hand coloured. He has held dozens of solo exhibitions and has participated in more than a hundred group shows worldwide, and his work is included in many public, private, and corporate collections.

Art Scope, a mécénat activity of Daimler Foundation in Japan, provides contemporary artists from Japan and Germany the chance to experience life in each other’s country. For the 2007/2008 year, Izumi Kato and Yuken Teruya were invited to reside in Berlin and Eve Teppe and Ascan Pinckernelle in Tokyo. The Hara Museum has been a partner in the Art Scope program since 2003, and as such will once again host an exhibition to showcase the results of this year’s artistic exchange. The methodologies used by the four featured artists range from painting, sculpture, installation, video and drawing. Izumi Kato creates paintings and sculptures that seem to touch upon the root of life and existence, using as his motif human figures with apparently fetal-like aspects. Yuken Teruya uses a variety of materials that include ready-made objects to make installations that speak to the workings of human society, the roots of human values and the sense of aesthetic beauty. The video artist Eva Teppe uses image media to explore the essence behind our sensory awareness and consciousness. In drawings of great detail and delicacy, Ascan Pinckernelle revisits the fundamentals of expression through the process of observation with the eye and representation with the hand. Different though these four artists may be in methodology and personality, their sensibilities, imagination and power of expression give rise to a shared ability to train their sights upon human existence and make us reconsider the ambiguous and complex properties that are fundamental to our lives as both discrete individuals and members of a larger whole. Through it all one might find a hint of the many possibilities that lie hidden in the act of creation and the experience of viewing. Artist Talk Date: June 28th (Sat) 15:00 - 17:00 (tentative) Place: The Hall at the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art For reservations, contact: info@haramuseum.or.jp or (Tel.) 03-3445-0669 Speakers (to be scheduled): Izumi Kato, Yuken Teruya, Eva Teppe, Ascan Pinckernelle, Dr. Renate Wiehager (Senior Manager, Corporate Art Department, Daimler AG), Atsuo Yasuda (Hara Museum of Contemporary Art) Fee: Regular ¥2000 (includes museum admission), Hara Museum Members and up to two guests ¥1000 Reservation required: info@haramuseum.or.jp, or Tel: 03-3445-0669 starting from June 10th (Tue) [Image: Eva Teppe, "The World Is Everything That Is The Case" (2003), video still, courtesy of the artist]

This exhibition features prints by Kounellis, a noted Arte Povera artist. The show will be divided into two periods, early and late. The early period will be on display from May 24th to July 22nd, and feature his "Gospels according to St. Thomas," while the late period will run from July 26th to September 7th, featuring his "Minotaur".

Ryusei Kishida (1891-1929) is well-known for this "Portrait of Reiko", in which he used his own beloved daughter as model. He was one of the most outstanding and unique painters in the Japanese "yoga" style during the Taisho and early Showa periods. Although he passed away at the young age of 38, Kishida produced an oeuvre of disproportionate impact, with many works that brought about fruitful change for the genre. Kishida entered the Hakuba-kai for yoga painting at 17 and studied oil painting with Kiyoteru Kuroda, while simultaneously becoming influenced by the work of the late Impressionists, such as van Gogh and Cezanne, through the pages of the art and culture magazine Shirakaba. Later, Kishida fell for the photographic realism of northern European Renaissance painters like Durer, and began pursuing his own studies of painterly realism, seeking to evoke the "inner beauty" of things and people. From the latter half of the Taisho period onwards, Kishida did a volte-face and turned towards eastern art, in particular Chinese painting of the Song and Yuan dynasties, as well as early ukiyo-e woodblock prints. This eastern aesthetic attracted him and began to be reflected in his own work. In addition to works from the collection of the Kasama Nichido Museum of Art, this exhibition showcases self-portraits and other oil paintings, nihonga, watercolors, rough sketches and book binding illustrations - a total of about 70 works. Please visit the exhibition website for more details. [Image: "Portrait of Girl (Standing Image of Reiko)" (1923) oil on canvas, 53.2 x 45.5 cm. From the collection of the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Modern Art]

Reception: June 21st (Sat) 18:00-20:00

The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna is a world-renowned museum housing one of the best art collections in the world. Drawing from the museum's collections, this exhibition showcases 75 works from the 16th to 18th centuries with a focus on still life painting. Still life painting flourished mainly in Holland from the 17th century onward. While some painters strove for realism, others introduced allegorical meaning or religious messages into their works. Some of these works also reflected the stature and authority of their clients and patrons. While growing multifariously as a single genre of painting, still life was also closely linked to portraiture and genre painting. With the Spanish master Diego Velásquez’s "Infanta Margarita Teresa in a Pink Dress" on view for the first time in Japan, this exhibition will explore the development and fascination of still life painting. [Image: Diego Velásquez "Infanta Margarita Teresa in a Pink Dress" (1653-54) oil on canvas 128.5 × 100cm]

The permanent exhibition "Non Surrealisme" will be held during the first, second and third weeks of every month and introduce works by artists Vladimir Kush and Hiroshi Anzai. The last week of every month will feature an exhibition by a new and upcoming artist.

Magical, Artroom is reopening at their new site in Ebisu. As for the organization of the gallery, Satoshi Okada assumes the role of president, Masami Shiraishi is joining as a professional advisor, and the Cue International company forms the nucleus of the gallery, which is run by Haruka Ito. Kentaro Ichihara and Shigeo Goto will remain as advisers. In the coming years, the gallery aims to enhance their management skills to further pursue their goal of introducing young Japanese artists to audiences within and outside Japan. Their program to support young and upcoming artists and disseminate contemporary art through various social platforms will include magazine production, publishing, music distribution, radio programs and all manner of other media exposure, the organization of Art Award Tokyo, as well as the establishment of educational programs and art salons. Magical appreciates your continuous support. The inaugural exhibition at the new space entitled “New Biginning - The Show Must Go On!”, is composed of eleven gallery artists, including Fumiaki Akahane, Miyuki Akiyama, Yohei Imamura, Tadasuke Iwanaga, Daisuke Ohba, Emi Otaguro, Hitoshi Kuriyama, Hyon Gyon, Takehiko Hoshino, Miyako Masaki, Yamataka Eye, presenting the direction of new magical, Artroom. Opening Reception: July 7th (Mon), 19:00

Test Tone presents vol. 35 - Festival of Alternate Tunings Tumultuous music swirls around you! Protean visuals will transport you! An evening of exquisite diversity, featuring Katchmare (aka Nick Hoffman), who will be investigating silence vs. sound on his first trip to Japan, Miclo Diet, a frantic beat-herding member of the (definitely underheard) Soup collective, and an exploratory session featuring multi-turntablist L?K?O, distinctive saxophonist Yoshio Otani, enigmatic drummer Tatsuhisa Yamamoto, and resident guitar repairman Cal Lyall. Re-constructed visuals courtesy of onnacodomo. Mashed-up sounds from the ethersphere brought to you by DJ Evil Penguin.

July 8th (Tue)-18th (Fri) Gallery Le Bain (1F) July 15th (Tue)-31st (Thu) Show Room Le Bain (B1F) Works on the theme of "flutter" tailored to the space of the gallery will be on display at Gallery Le Bain. 8 large objects will be exhibited in the first floor gallery from July 8th-18th. From July 15th-31st, around 40 kitchen and bathroom accessories and other small objects will be on display in the basement showroom. A reception will also be held on the 15th when the two exhibitions overlap. The video work "Flutter" will be screened using a projector, and there will also be a DJ and music lineup, creating a multi-media experience of sound, light and color at this special event. Reception party: July 15th (Tue) 19:00-21:00

Opening Party: 17:00-19:00

Joseph Bolstad and Mayuko Kono will be exhibiting 14 works in the gallery space as well as one large-scale outdoor collaborative work made of plastic baskets. Having worked closely together for the past five years, both artists have developed a keen interest in ordinary objects as a starting point for creating their works, Bolstad frequently manipulates toys and other items into darkly humorous patterned configurations, while Kono’s works are ethereal transformations of items seen in everyday life. Opening Reception: August 29th (Fri) 18:00-20:30 *Open on weekends only.