An event featuring simultaneous screenings of documentaries on Yayoi Kusama and Sayoko Yamaguchi, "Two geniuses who captivated the world: Yayoi Kusama x Sayoko Yamaguchi - Special documentary directed by Matsumoto Takako," will be held from September 4th to September 9th at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum in Ebisu, Tokyo.
The event is being held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, a top museum that will be reopening on September 3rd after renovations. The films being screened are "I Love Yayoi Kusama," which follows the avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, who left Japan in the 1960s and made a name for herself in New York, over the course of a year and a half, exploring the essence of Kusama's art, and "Fireworks on Ice: Yamaguchi Sayoko," a documentary film directed by Takako Matsumoto, who was friends with Yamaguchi Sayoko, the first Asian top model to flourish in Paris in the 1970s, collecting testimonies from people who were close to her and examining the precious footage that remains to uncover her mysterious true identity.
The event is being held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, a top museum that will be reopening on September 3rd after renovations. The films being screened are "I Love Yayoi Kusama," which follows the avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, who left Japan in the 1960s and made a name for herself in New York, over the course of a year and a half, exploring the essence of Kusama's art, and "Fireworks on Ice: Yamaguchi Sayoko," a documentary film directed by Takako Matsumoto, who was friends with Yamaguchi Sayoko, the first Asian top model to flourish in Paris in the 1970s, collecting testimonies from people who were close to her and examining the precious footage that remains to uncover her mysterious true identity.
"≒Yayoi Kusama: I Love You" (c) YAYOI KUSAMA
"Ice Fireworks" Director Takako Matsumoto, who directed both films, participated in the launch of "Fashion Tsushin," Japan's first fashion information program, currently broadcast on BS Japan. She first met Sayoko Yamaguchi in 1987 during the program's "Yamaguchi Sayoko Special." They subsequently deepened their friendship through the production of NHK's "A Journey Through the World: The Eyes of a Berber Girl" and "The Royal Academy of Antwerp: How a Top Fashion Designer is Made," maintaining their friendship until her death. She also enjoyed a 20-year friendship with Yayoi Kusama, producing numerous films, including "NHK BS Premium: The World is Waiting for Me: Avant-Garde Artist Yayoi Kusama's Sprint" and "NHK Special: The Polka Dot Queen: Yayoi Kusama's Full-Sprint Run." In addition, director Takako Matsumoto commented on the simultaneous screening of the two films, "Meeting these two Japanese women who competed on the world stage was a powerful experience. Coincidentally, they both have bob haircuts. I felt that it was my destiny to be involved in the field of film. What's more, they are both the real deal. While there were many difficult times in the process of making this documentary film, I was able to fully savor the irreplaceable, happy times that outweighed those difficulties. It is an immense joy to be able to screen these two films simultaneously at a top museum. I hope that the lives of these two extraordinary creators will remain in the memories of many people! Geniuses and beautiful women are something you never get tired of watching!" It was also announced that "Fireworks: Yamaguchi Sayoko" has been officially selected for the documentary category at the 40th Montreal World Film Festival, which will be held in Montreal, Canada from August 25th to September 5th local time. For screening times and details of "Two eccentric geniuses who captivated the world: Yayoi Kusama x Sayoko Yamaguchi ~Special documentary directed by Takako Matsumoto~," please check the official website of the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum.
[Event Information]
"Two eccentric geniuses who captivated the world: Yayoi Kusama x Sayoko Yamaguchi ~Special documentary directed by Takako Matsumoto~"
Venue: Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
Address: Ebisu Garden Place, 1-13-3 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Dates: September 4th - September 9th, 2016
Films being screened:
"Ice Fireworks: Sayoko Yamaguchi"
"≒ Yayoi Kusama: I Love You"
Closed: September 5th
Admission: 1,500 yen for adults and students, 1,200 yen for seniors, high school students and younger, and those with disabilities
[Event Information]
"Two eccentric geniuses who captivated the world: Yayoi Kusama x Sayoko Yamaguchi ~Special documentary directed by Takako Matsumoto~"
Venue: Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
Address: Ebisu Garden Place, 1-13-3 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Dates: September 4th - September 9th, 2016
Films being screened:
"Ice Fireworks: Sayoko Yamaguchi"
"≒ Yayoi Kusama: I Love You"
Closed: September 5th
Admission: 1,500 yen for adults and students, 1,200 yen for seniors, high school students and younger, and those with disabilities
