The Hara Museum of Contemporary Art is planning three events this fall, including a special exhibition and a musical performance.

"Art Scope 2012-2014 - After or Trace of the Journey" is an exhibition currently running since July 12th. "Art Scope" is an arts support program run by the Daimler Foundation Japan, which mutually invites contemporary artists from Japan and Germany. The artists experience life in a different culture and create new works based on their experiences. What did they feel during their travels to a different country, and how did that reflect in their creative work? These experiences can be sensed in the works they create.

In 2012, Rita Hensen and Benedikt Partenheimer were invited from Germany. In 2013, Ryosuke Imamura and Satoshi Ohno were invited from Japan. This exhibition features works by these four program participants. Rita Hensen photographed her stay in Japan, interweaving it with German landscapes. She also exhibited objects and drawings inspired by her experiences in Japan. Benedikt Partenheimer, known for his "Change of Direction" series, which captures people's backs in long shots, once again exhibited photographs and video works shot in Japan. Meanwhile, among the Japanese artists, Ryosuke Imamura and Satoshi Ohno are exhibiting new installations and new paintings, respectively. The "Hara Museum Collection: 35th Anniversary Exhibition" begins on October 25th. This exhibition will offer a bird's-eye view of Lee Ufan's masterpieces, including "Dialogue," acquired two years ago, as well as "From Lines," "From Points," "With the Wind," and "Relationships." Lee Ufan is known for his unique artistic technique, which involves minimal manipulation of natural materials. His representative works include sculptures featuring stone and steel plates, and paintings with only a few brushstrokes left on wide margins. His works are said to invite viewers into deep contemplation. In the late 1960s, his work had a profound influence on the Mono-ha movement, which used natural materials like wood and stone. In addition to Mono-ha, the exhibition will also feature works from the mid-1950s avant-garde art movement, Gutai. On September 20th, the duo event "Suzuki Akio/Onda Akio Duo Performance" will be held. Suzuki Akio is one of Japan's leading sound artists, known for creating original musical instruments. In 1996, he launched the "Otodate" project, which explores urban echo points. He has been invited to perform at art museums and music festivals around the world, receiving high praise. Meanwhile, Onda Akira has made field recordings using music cassettes his life's work, and his compositions and performances using these recordings are popular. At the venue, each artist will perform using their own unique sound sources, including the creative instrument "Analapos" and cassette tapes. This will be a first for the two artists, who have both been active mainly in Europe, and it will be a unique opportunity to see this rare collaboration up close.

[Event Information]
"Art Scope 2012-2014" -- After the Journey or Traces
Venue: Hara Museum of Contemporary Art
Address: 4-7-25 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Period: July 12th to October 13th
Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm (until 8:00pm on Wednesdays. Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Admission: Adults 1,100 yen, University/High School Students 700 yen, Elementary/Junior High School Students 500 yen (Free for elementary/junior high school students on Saturdays during term time)
Closed: Mondays (open on public holidays), July 22nd, September 16th
Suzuki Akio/Onda Akira Duo Performance
Period: September 20th
Time: From 5:30pm (Doors open at 5:00pm)
Price: ¥4,000 (reservations required, admission included)
35th Anniversary Hara Museum Collection Exhibition
Dates: October 25th to January 12th
Hours: 11:00am to 5:00pm (until 8:00pm on Wednesdays. Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Admission: Adults ¥1,100, University and High School Students ¥700, Elementary and Middle School Students ¥500 (Elementary and Middle School Students are free on Saturdays during term time)
Closed: Mondays (open on public holidays), November 4th, November 25th, New Year's holidays