Posted:Jun 10, 2011

Chim↑Pom Opening at Yamamoto Gendai

PR stunt artists or modern day Dadaists, love ’em or hate ’em, Chim↑Pom put on a good show.

After their recent come-back shows at Vacant and NADiff, and a ‘secret’ show at Mujinto Productions (where a penis was ‘displayed’), 2009 seems to be the Year of the Chim↑Pom. Their latest exhibition is at Shirokane’s Yamamoto Gendai Gallery and TABlog was at the opening reception.

Visitors were greeted by a scene of chaos on a lavatorial scale.
Visitors were greeted by a scene of chaos on a lavatorial scale.
Photo: William Andrews

Visitors walked through the installation to view the details.
Visitors walked through the installation to view the details.
Photo: WA
But you had to be careful where you stepped.
But you had to be careful where you stepped.
Photo: WA


People gravitated around the 'living Buddha' but seemed to ignore the poor guy.
People gravitated around the 'living Buddha' but seemed to ignore the poor guy.
Photo: WA

An arrow pointed elusively to a wall.
An arrow pointed elusively to a wall.
Photo: WA

The installation contained several TV screens displaying footage of the Chim↑Pom members cavorting. This one, however, was clearly not working.
The installation contained several TV screens displaying footage of the Chim↑Pom members cavorting. This one, however, was clearly not working.
Photo: WA

'Kuru Kuru Party' is spelt out in an original way.
'Kuru Kuru Party' is spelt out in an original way.
Photo: WA

I heard the teddy bear had it coming.
I heard the teddy bear had it coming.
Photo: WA

The Chim↑Pom boys were present, adding some final touches of red wine.
The Chim↑Pom boys were present, adding some final touches of red wine.
Photo: WA

I thought the exhibition had spilled out into the office. An embarrassed member of staff told me it was not meant to be seen.
I thought the exhibition had spilled out into the office. An embarrassed member of staff told me it was not meant to be seen.
Photo: WA
Photo: WA


Photo: WA
There were some less graphic pieces.
There were some less graphic pieces.
Photo: WA

William Andrews

William Andrews

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.