10 Things in Tokyo: September Round-Up

The inaugural Hillside Terrace Photo Fair is happening this weekend in Daikanyama until Sunday 7th. The fair includes talk events from some pretty big names in Japanese photography, such as Miyako Ishiuchi, Eiko Hosoe, Issei Suda, Daido Moriyama, as well as younger artists such as Takashi Arai, Daisuke Yokota and Ken Kitano. As well as a dozen photobook publishers, among the galleries represented are MEM (with Charles Fréger, pictured), Misako & Rosen, Taka Ishii, Shugoarts and Tomio Koyama. One of the visiting international photographers, Beat Streuli, is also showing at Yumiko Chiba Associates. The Belgian artist uses a telephoto lens to zoom in and slow down life in public spaces. Ends October 8.

Speaking of art fairs, the annual Tokyo Art Book Fair, run by Zine’s Mate, will happen over the weekend of September 19-21. The fair hosts well over a hundred local and international publishers and will be held on the Tokyo campus of Kyoto University of Art and Design.

Meanwhile, Mujinto Productions, representing artists such as Tsubasa Kato, Sachiko Kazama, Lyota Yagi and Chim↑Pom, is celebrating its 8-year anniversary with a group exhibition in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa. Do try media artist Kazuhiko Hachiya’s virtual reality creation, Kai & Kui Ride- Powered by Hashilus Project (2014), if you have the chance. The show runs until September 15.

Yasuhiro Suzuki is an artist who tends to slightly alter the context or sensory perception of everyday life. Art Tower Mito is holding his solo exhibition, featuring old and new works. As described in the exhibition, Suzuki is an artist who supports “the idea of being a part of the earth (the bigger whole) while remaining close to our neighborhood”. His works can be seen until October 19.

“Ink Art” is the title of a contemporary calligraphy survey by Ota Fine Arts. Featuring works by Cai Guo-Qiang among others, it is a look at how artists of today are carrying on the traditions of ancient Chinese literati. Until October 18.

Hiroshi Sugimoto is a well-known name who returns to Gallery Koyanagi in Ginza this month with more of his gorgeous black-and-white, meditative images. Until September 30. Nearby, at the Pola Museum Annexe, is a hands-on exhibition called “Playing With Sound“. As described by the exhibition, visitors can become musicians and composers, “learning about the fun of invisible sounds and mechanisms of movement”.

Further afield, the Biwako Biennale will also be happening this month. Set across a dozen historic houses in Omihachiman, a town close to Kyoto, the biennale is a locally-focused art event featuring more than 70 artists/artist groups. Runs from September 13 until November 9. In Nagoya, visitors can view artist Ryudai Takano’s altered artworks in reaction to a request from local police to cover up the full-frontal male nudity is his photographic series, “With Me”. The works are part of a group exhibition, “Photography Will Be“, at the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art. Until September 28.