When we think of art, we tend to think of spring and autumn, but there are also many noteworthy art exhibitions held in the summer.

We'll introduce exhibitions not only in Tokyo, but also worth visiting on your days off. We've carefully selected the most talked-about art exhibitions you can't miss.

Closing Soon! Christian Boltanski Retrospective

"Misterios" (Installation view) 2017 / Video projection (HD, approximately 12 hours), three screens / Artist's collection © Christian Boltanski / ADAGP, Paris, 2019, Courtesy Power Station of Art, Shanghai, Photo by Jiang Wenyi



Boltanski began making short films in the late 1960s and, in the 1980s, gained international acclaim for his light installations that tackled religious themes. He has since exhibited his work around the world, focusing on themes such as history, memory, and traces of human existence. This time, rather than presenting his early to most recent works in chronological order, the exhibition combines individual pieces into one large installation. For more information, click here.

In addition, Boltanski's solo exhibition "Animitas II" is currently being held at Espace Louis Vuitton Tokyo in Omotesando, Tokyo. Experience Boltanski's world in both Roppongi and Omotesando. For more information, click here.

The gigantic installation is an unprecedented hit!
Don't miss the Chiharu Shiota exhibition

Chiharu Shiota, "Uncertain Journey" 2016, steel frame, red wool yarnInstallation view: "Uncertain Journey," Brain | Southern (Berlin), 2016Photography: Christian Glaeser


Shiota Chiharu: The Soul Trembles, the largest solo exhibition of the internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Shiota Chiharu, is running until October 27th at the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi, Tokyo.

Shiota Chiharu is known for immersive installations, such as stringing threads throughout the space. This exhibition, centered around six large-scale installations, also includes sculptures, performance videos, photographs, drawings, and related materials from stage design, making this the first opportunity to experience Shiota's 20-year career in a comprehensive manner. For more information, click here.

Julian Opie's
Simplified Worldview Is a Must-See

Julian Opie. Telephone. 2018. Patinated bronze with stone base. Large


Julian Opie, one of Britain's leading artists, Julian Opie's first major solo exhibition at a Japanese art museum in 11 years is running at the Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery until September 23rd.

Known for his style of expressing vivid figures and landscapes using the minimal visual language of points and lines, Julian Opie is an important artist who is essential to any discussion of contemporary art. This solo exhibition is centered around new works, including paintings, sculptures, and videos selected by the artist himself, which are being shown for the first time. The music in the venue, which sounds like background music, is also part of Opie's work. For more information, click here.

"Insect Exhibition" Directed by Taku Sato
Featuring Kengo Kuma and Other Artists

New Works by Kengo Kuma & Associates + Norihiro Ejiri

The special exhibition "Insects −Design Models−" is running until November 4th at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT Gallery 1&2 in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo.

The more we learn about insects, the more mysterious they become, and this is an attempt to use them as "design models." The exhibition is directed by graphic designer Taku Satoh, and the planning supervisor is anatomist Takeshi Yoro, who is known to be an insect lover. The skeletons that support their small bodies are applied to artificial objects, and the mechanism that allows insects to skillfully retract their wings is applied to robots. Designers, architects, structural engineers and artists will exhibit a variety of works inspired by insects. For more information, click here.

The Hakone Open-Air Museum's Picasso Pavilion Reopens

Interior of the Picasso Pavilion©2019 - Succession Pablo Picasso - BCF (JAPAN)


To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Hakone Open-Air Museum completely renovated its Picasso Pavilion. The themed exhibition "Picasso's Challenge: Metamorphosis of Form" is running until around March 2021.

The Picasso Pavilion opened in 1984 to specialize in the works of Pablo Picasso, one of the most representative artists of the 20th century. Since then, the Picasso collection of 319 pieces, primarily ceramics, has been gradually exhibited.

This marks the museum's first renovation in 35 years, completely renovating the interior and facilities. The interior, including floors, walls, and ceilings, has been redesigned to create a natural and bright image that complements the natural beauty of Hakone. It's likely to become a new attraction for Hakone visitors. For more information, click here.

Meet Miffy at Clematis Hill
Dick Bruna Exhibitions Held at Two Museums

Clematis Hill in Nagaizumi Town, Shizuoka Prefecture, is hosting two Dick Bruna exhibitions until September 29th. The Bernard Buffet Museum is hosting the exhibition "Let's go to the museum! Learn how to enjoy modern art from Dick Bruna," while the Vangi Sculpture Garden Museum is hosting the exhibition "Miffy's Joyful Flower Garden: The World of Flowers and Picture Books by Dick Bruna."

The Bernard Buffet Museum is hosting a special exhibition that invites visitors to explore Buffet's works alongside Miffy, based on the contents of the picture book "Little Bunny Goes to the Museum," published in 1997.

By viewing these two special exhibitions together, you can gain a deeper understanding of Dick Bruna's expression and enjoy his works and the nature around us from a new perspective. For more information, click here.

From Louis Vuitton and Comme des Garçons to Uniqlo
Exhibition Unravels Dress Codes at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto

Jeff Koons x LOUIS VUITTON 2017Kyoto Costume Institute Collection, Photograph by Takashi Hatakeyama


The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto is hosting the exhibition "Dress Code? -- The Wearer's Game" until October 14th. The exhibition showcases approximately 90 carefully selected pieces from the Kyoto Costume Institute's (KCI) costume collection, ranging from historical costumes such as 18th-century court attire and early 20th-century men's wear to contemporary clothing. This is a rare opportunity to see works from numerous brands, including CHANEL, COMME des GARÇONS, Dior, LOUIS VUITTON, Yohji Yamamoto, and Yves Saint Laurent, all gathered together. For more information, click here.

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