Starting January 23rd, Isetan Mitsukoshi, under the production of TOKYO FRONTLINE, is hosting "KISS THE HEART," a social contribution project that uses the power of art to support ongoing reconstruction efforts in eastern Japan. This year's theme, now in its second year, is "Restoring the Natural Power of Art." For approximately one month, artworks that evoke the fundamental power, beauty, and vitality of local things will be exhibited in the show windows of Isetan Shinjuku, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, and Ginza Mitsukoshi. The show windows feature artwork by 21 contemporary artists, including Yoshikazu Yamagata of writtenafterwards. As a special project, an installation featuring an Alfa Romeo Giulietta with art on the body, based on an original painting by guest artist Keiji Ito, will be exhibited at the main entrance on the first floor of the Isetan Shinjuku Men's Building. Kenji Yanobe's "Sun Child" stained glass is on display at the Lion Gate entrance of Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store.

On March 16th, an auction of artist works by participants who pre-registered will be held at the Gaien Campus of Kyoto University of Art and Design and Tohoku University of Art and Design in Minato Ward, Tokyo. All proceeds from the auction (excluding consumption tax) will be donated to the "Children's Art House Project," which works in Tohoku with the theme of "art and children."
Participating artists:
Isetan Shinjuku: Yuko Amano, Donna, Naoki Ishikawa, Yasutake Iwana, Mari Katayama, Takashi Kawashima, Mitsuo Kane, Kuniko Nagano, Aiko Tezuka, Yoshikazu Yamagata, Yuichi Yokoyama
Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store: Yasuko Inoue, Yohei Sugita, Makiko Masutani, Hyojun Nan, Takako Okumura, Wang Xiang
Ginza Mitsukoshi: Mayumi Hosokura, Kengo Kito, Aki Kondo, Akiko Ozasa
Guest artist: Keiji Ito
[Show window exhibition]
Kiss the Heart #2
Date and time: Isetan Shinjuku: Wednesday, January 23rd to Monday, February 18th
Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store: January 23rd (Wed) to February 25th (Mon) *Store closed on February 5th (Tue) and 19th (Tue) Ginza Mitsukoshi: January 23rd (Tue) to February 24th (Sun) *Store closed on February 18th (Mon) [Charity Auction] Dates: March 16th (Sat) 4pm to 5:30pm (Registration opens from 3pm) Location: Kyoto University of Art and Design and Tohoku University of Art and Design Gaien Campus Fee: Participation is free, but advance reservations are required on the official "Kiss the Heart #2" website *Application period: February 1st (Fri) to 28th (Thu) Capacity: 70 people