Japan’s biggest art fair was just that, a really big art fair. Almost impossible to navigate without getting exhausted, there was at least something for everyone. TAB offers a selected handful of the most interesting booths…
The Fair was held at Tokyo International Forum.Photo: William Andrews It was a rather formal affair at the preview, including an opening ceremony. Cutting the ribbon were dignitaries such as the Norwegian Ambassador and, here, politician Seiko Noda.Photo: WA With over 140 participating galleries, it was hard to know where to start.Photo: WA At times it just felt like row after row of booths and aisles.Photo: Kaori Sakai The powerhouse contemporary galleries were all present, including Mizuma Art Gallery.Photo: KS Ai Yamaguchi's beguiling large-scale work.Photo: KS Tomio Koyama Gallery's booth. The sculpture is by Stephan Balkenhol.Photo: KS SCAI the Bathhouse had selections from their recent shows, including Darren Almond and, here, Jeppe Hein.Photo: KS Photo: KS Vincent Fournier's photographs at the Marunouchi Gallery booth.Photo: WA At the WAKO WORKS OF ART booth, some pieces needed a close inspection.Photo: KS Live painting from Ayu Rokkayu.Photo: KSAn exhibit at the OUT of PLACE gallery booth.Photo: KS
OUT of PLACE gallery's works.Photo: KS Richard Stipl's impressive busts at the Christopher Cutts Gallery booth.Photo: Rie Yoshioka Amongst the crowds there were some familiar faces. Here artist Teppei Kaneuji talks with a friend.Photo: WA The unseal contemporary gallery's dazzling sculptures attracted attention.Photo: WA One of the overseas participants, Korean Gallery Hangil and these works by Jungpyo Hong.Photo: WA The pieces on display at Yamamoto Gendai's booth were rather unusual.Photo: WAVisitors were invited to sit in this furry dentist's chair and be strapped down.Photo: WA
William Andrews came to Japan in 2004. He first lived in Osaka, where he was a translator for Kansai Art Beat. Arriving in Tokyo in 2008, he now works as an writer, editor and translator. He writes a blog about Japanese radicalism and counterculture and one about Tokyo contemporary theatre. He is the author of Dissenting Japan: A History of Japanese Radicalism and Counterculture, from 1945 to Fukushima.
