The Yokohama Triennale 2014, an international contemporary art exhibition directed by Yasumasa Morimura, opened on August 1 and runs through November 3. Its main venues are the Yokohama Museum of Art and Shinko Pier. This fifth edition features 79 artists from 65 groups, including young and deceased artists from Japan and abroad. Titled "The Art of Fahrenheit 451: At the Center of the World Is an Ocean of Oblivion," the exhibition, inspired by Ray Bradbury's science fiction novel "Fahrenheit 451," which depicts a world where reading and owning books are forbidden, features over 400 works focused on "oblivion," organized into a prologue and 11 episodes. A press conference was held on July 31 featuring Morimura, Yokohama Triennale Organizing Committee Chair Eriko Osaka, and participating artists Wim Delvoye, Kim Hong-seok, Shinro Ohtake, and Yuko Mori. Morimura said, "We must not forget the richness inherent in silence, the polar opposite of loud, eloquent speeches. I hope visitors will turn their gaze to what is forbidden to speak, to fantasies and delusions, to what has been left behind or forgotten, and be surprised by the diverse range of experiences." He introduced the "Hiragana Catalog" and "Boinavi," an audio guide that uses his own voice to guide visitors, aiming to create an exhibition that avoids populism and is open to the general public. Greeting visitors in front of the Yokohama Museum of Art, Delvoye, whose "Low-Floor Trailer," a Gothic-style representation of a large trailer truck over 15 meters long, greeted them in Japanese, saying, "Thank you for inviting me." Kim Hong-seok of South Korea, who said, "I wondered if I could do something with plastic bags, which we use in our daily lives," will present "Bear-Like Structure" and "Eight Breaths," which question the concept of public art. Otake, who will be exhibiting his new work "Retina House/Memory Filtering Hut," a "boat in the shape of a book," at Shinko Pier, said, "Many of my works are based on memory, so the theme of 'forgetfulness' felt natural to me." He commented, "My new work is a repetition of delusions, in which I enter the memories of complete strangers through their family photos and weave them together from there. I hope that people will feel a variety of emotions when they see it." Mori will be showcasing "I-O - A Composer's Room," an installation using everyday items, which he says he "had forgotten myself, but had always wanted to turn into a work someday." Also on the same day, people began dropping off their works into "Art Bin," a trash can for artists designed by Michael Landy and installed in front of the entrance to the Yokohama Museum of Art. Works were dropped off, including a large print of Morimura's portrait of himself in drag, works by participating artists, and works by guest artist Kenichiro Mogi. A variety of public programs, including artist projects, talks, and workshops, will be held throughout the exhibition, allowing visitors to experience the worldview of the exhibition. Five "Creative Neighborhood Hub Collaboration Programs" will also be held to coincide with the event.

This year, the event is also positioned as a special project of the "Culture City of East Asia 2014 Yokohama," which is being held in Japan, China, and South Korea. The target number of visitors is over 300,000.


[Event Information]
Yokohama Triennale 2014 "The Art of Fahrenheit 451: At the Center of the World is a Sea of Oblivion"
Venue: Yokohama Museum of Art (3-4-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama), Shinko Pier (2-5 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama)
Dates: August 1st to November 3rd
Time: 10:00 to 18:00 (Open until 20:00 on August 9th, September 13th, October 11th, and November 1st)
Admission: Adults 1,800 yen, University and vocational school students 1,200 yen, High school students 800 yen
Closed: 1st and 3rd Thursdays