The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo will be holding "MOMAT Summer Fest," a summer event that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike, day and night, from July 20th to September 17th.


In addition to hosting events and workshops centered around exhibitions, the museum will be open until 9:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays for night museum admission, offering special discounts on admission.

On the first floor, from June 19th to September 17th, "Gordon Matta-Clark," Asia's first retrospective of Gordon Matta-Clark, who was active mainly in New York in the 1970s, will be held. This exhibition showcases the work of this artist, who continues to garner immense popularity across art, architecture, street culture, food, and more, 40 years after his death. Photography is permitted in the lively, fun-filled venue, designed around the concept of a "playground (park)." A variety of interactive and participation-oriented events will be held, including the Instagram event "Discover Your Town's GMC" and a workshop corner where visitors can freely color in his works. During the summer vacation, on August 18th and 19th, a special summer program called "Summer Vacation! Children's Museum" will be held for first through fourth graders, featuring gallery talks and crafts in the exhibition room. Other events include screenings of related video works and events featuring exhibition staff and a variety of guest speakers. Admission is ¥1,200 for adults and ¥800 for university students. On the day of admission, you can also view the concurrent exhibitions "MOMAT Collection" and "Shuzo Takiguchi and the Artists He Inspired." "Friday Night Talk" is a fun, seated guided tour. From June 5th to September 24th, the museum will be hosting the "MOMAT Collection," an exhibition of works from its collection of over 13,000 pieces. This exhibition traces the history of Japanese art from the Meiji period to the present day, featuring approximately 200 carefully selected pieces from the collection. This exhibition is the only one of its kind in Japan to trace the history of Japanese art from the Meiji period to the present day. During this event, the museum will be showcasing a variety of exquisite masterpieces, including Shinkai Taketaro's "Yuami" ("Yuami") and Wada Sanzo's "Southern Wind," newly designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Additionally, from July 31st, the museum will also be showcasing works related to the season, such as Kawabata Ryushi's "Grass Flame" and Kobayashi Kokei's "Tangshu Millet." Enjoy a little time travel while reflecting on the historical context of the works.

For a limited time only during this event, "Friday Night Talks" will be held every Friday night. This program, which was very popular last year, allows participants to carefully view each work while discussing it together. A special feature is the use of gallery chairs, similar to those used in museums around the world, such as MoMA. Participants can easily participate after work or during Premium Fridays, literally "sitting down" and enjoying the luxurious experience of deeply appreciating the artwork.

The "Collection Guide" is held every day from 2 PM, attracting many repeat visitors.
The popular "Collection Guide" program, which attracts many repeat visitors, is also held every day from 2 PM. Rather than simply listening to a one-way explanation of the artworks, the greatest feature of this program is that participants are free to interact with the guide staff and other participants, freely experiencing the artworks, using their imagination, and expressing their thoughts in words. This viewing experience is almost like solving a mystery. Approximately three artworks are viewed each day, and since the featured works change each time, it's enjoyable no matter how many times you participate. "Curator Talks" featuring expert commentary by the museum's curators will also be held from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on July 22, 27, August 10, 24, September 7, and 21 from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Children will also receive free, fillable viewing sheets. A "Petite Self-Guided" program is available for ages 4 to 8, while a "Self-Guided" program is available for elementary and junior high school students. On the second floor, a small exhibition centered on the collection, "Shuzo Takiguchi and the Artists He Inspired," will be held from June 19 to September 24. In addition to 13 of Takiguchi's own works from the museum's collection, the exhibition will also feature works by artists who interested him, with the keyword "mono" (material/object/object).
Admission fees for the "MOMAT Collection" and "Shuzo Takiguchi and the Artists He Studied" are 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for university students, but after 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays during the event, admission is 300 yen for adults and 150 yen for university students. For a limited time from June 19th to September 17th, admission is free for university students after 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

A summer garden beer bar with a pleasant lawn
In the front garden, where the lawn is pleasant, a garden cafe with a food truck from the restaurant "Ra e Mikuni" has opened. On Friday and Saturday nights at the museum, it becomes a beer bar. You can enjoy beer, wine, and other drinks along with food in the front garden, where the lawn is pleasant and overlooks the Imperial Palace.

With attention being focused on working styles and how people spend their nighttime, the museum is a great place to casually drop by after work, with the family during the summer holidays, or as a great place for foreign tourists visiting Japan. Why not experience a new way to enjoy an art museum this summer at MOMAT?