The Hiratsuka Museum of Art will be holding a special exhibition, "21st Century Art: Taguchi Art Collection - From Andy Warhol to Nara Yoshitomo," from April 21st to June 17th, showcasing approximately 70 pieces from one of Japan's leading contemporary art collections, amassed by businessman Hiroshi Taguchi.

Christian Rosa, "OHNE TITLE," 2014© Jonas Burgert Image courtesy of the Artist and Blain|Southern Photo: Lepkowski Studios, 2017
The Taguchi Art Collection is one of Japan's leading contemporary art collections, amassed by businessman Hiroshi Taguchi. The collection of over 400 pieces, consisting of works by globally active artists from a variety of backgrounds, offers a panoramic view of current trends in art. This exhibition will feature approximately 70 contemporary artworks from the collection, primarily works created in the 2000s.

Matthew Barney, Ms. Goodyer, 1995
© Matthew Barney
One of the characteristics of contemporary art is its self-referential nature, which asks the question, "What is art?" Like Andy Warhol, artists incorporate images from advertisements and animation, or quote the works of past masters, to present their own version of art. There is also the idea that the act of creating something is an internal one that emanates from the artist's very body, and works that deal with themes of ethnicity and gender, as well as works that incorporate the narrative qualities seen in video works, ask the viewer, "Why am I who I am?"

The artists featured in the exhibition include Satoru Aoyama, Yusuke Asai, Matthew Barney, Jonas Burgert, José Dávila, Sebastian Diaz Morales, Natalie Djurberg & Hans Berry, Tracey Emin, Mark Flood, Maureen Gareth, Tomoo Gokita, João Guzmán & Pedro Paiva, Keith Haring, Secundino Hernández, Candida Hefer, Kei Imazu, Hyvee Kahlaman, Teppei Kaneuji, Izumi Kato, Tadashi Kawamata, Akio Koizumi, Naofumi Maruyama, Ryan McGinley, Futoshi Miyagi, and Ji The exhibition features works by 51 artists, including Johnathan Monk, Richard Moss, Vik Muniz, Takashi Murakami, Oscar Murillo, Yoshitomo Nara, Yu Nishimura, Shinro Ohtake, Oscar Oiwa, Yoko Ono, Julian Opie, Georges Osbolt, Rob Pritt, Ged Quinn, Marina Reinganz, Christian Rosa, Willem Sasnar, Hiraki Sawa, Tomoko Sawada, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Hiroshi Sugito, Hiraku Suzuki, Yuken Teruya, Toukral & Tagura, Mario Garcia Torres, Andy Warhol, and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye.

Whatever the work, the artists' ideas are original and full of humor and wit. Come experience the wide variety of works in this exhibition and enjoy the art experience, whether you're laughing at the funny things, being reminded of something new, or being challenged to think deeply.
In addition, "Gallery Talks by the Curator in Charge" will be held from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM on May 12th and June 3rd. No reservations are required.