The Setagaya Art Museum is currently hosting the exhibition "Life, Art, and Takashimaya: Setagaya Art Museum Takes a Look Inside a Department Store." The exhibition runs through June 23rd.
Since the Meiji period, various department stores have introduced domestic and international culture through art and product exhibitions. Among them, Takashimaya has a history of exhibiting outstanding dyed and woven textiles at numerous expositions, beginning with the Barcelona International Exhibition in 1888, and handling "artistic" products.
This exhibition focuses on art works from the Takashimaya Archives in Osaka, and covers a wide range of genres, including decorative works for ships and architecture, advertising materials, dyed and woven textiles, and kimono. Under the theme of "Companies and Culture," the exhibition focuses on Takashimaya, founded in Kyoto in 1831, and explores the reasons for the existence of department stores. In 2007, the Setagaya Art Museum featured Shiseido in the "Fukuhara Shinzo, Art, and Shiseido" exhibition, which focused on the theme of "Companies and Culture." This time, Takashimaya, celebrating its 180th anniversary, was chosen as the second instalment. A museum spokesperson said, "This is a unique project in that it examines the cultural impact that department stores have had on society. Visitors have expressed surprise, saying things like, 'I never knew Takashimaya had such artwork,' or 'I never knew they had attempted such things.'" The exhibition also includes panel discussions and lectures on the appeal of department stores, screenings of films related to Takashimaya, a 100-yen workshop open to all ages, and a gift wrapping class taught by Takashimaya professionals. Restaurant "Le Jardin" is offering a special "Children's Lunch for Adults" menu. [Exhibition Information] Life, Art, and Takashimaya - Setagaya Art Museum opens up the lid on a department store.
Dates: April 20th to June 23rd (some exhibits may be changed)
Closed: Every Monday *However, open on April 29th and May 6th, closed on April 30th and May 7th
Opening hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (last admission at 17:30)
Venue: Setagaya Art Museum
Address: 1-2 Kinuta Park, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Admission fee: 1,000 yen for adults, 800 yen for university and high school students and those 65 and over, 500 yen for elementary and junior high school students
*Unauthorized reproduction of images is prohibited