Yasunari Kawabata started studying literature at the age of 14. Kan Kikuchi discovered his talent while Kawabata was studying at Tokyo Imperial University. His works, along with those of Riichi Yokoo and others, were seen as part of the “Shinkankakuha” (new impressionists). Kawabata lived through Japan’s literary world in the 20th century and left a big impression in Japanese modern literature. He has plenty of anecdotes.

Lacquerware making is a skill that requires an extraordinary amount of time to master. Mejiro Urushi Gakusha (“Mejiro lacquer school”) is where many young aspiring professional lacquerware artists begin on a path of honing their skills and deepening their knowledge.

アートと映像のフェスティバル「恵比寿映像祭」が8回目を迎えます。今年のテーマは「動いている庭」。毎年メイン会場となる東京都写真美術館は現在改修工事中のため、会場を隣のザ・ガーデンホールなどに移して開催されます。美術館ではない屋外空間だからこそ展示できる作品も。今回のテーマや見どころ、また恵比寿映像祭の立ち上げなどの裏話まで、東京都写真美術館のキュレーター・岡村恵子さんに聞きました。

Van Gogh and Gauguin lived together for two months and created a number of masterpieces that were inspired by their relationship. This sequel focuses on Gauguin. Born in France, he spent about six years in his early childhood in Peru. He discovered his thoughts between the West and the “primitive.” After living with Van Gogh for two months, he moved to a South Pacific island seeking out the “primitive,” and he created a number of masterpieces there.

This segment will introduce two creative communities in eastern Tokyo, an area around Tokyo Skytree® that has historically been home to many small factories and has seen an increase of new shops and studios in recent years.

In this third installment of reports on the Teachers Program at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, we will explain in detail about Architecture Gymnastics.

Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin were painters who both lived at the end of the 19th century. Both influenced each other. This column explores the painters in two installments.

The first part focuses on Van Gogh, whose life was filled with highs and lows. His works failed to receive recognition during his lifetime. Because of his nervous temperament, his life was not easy. Gauguin was one of the few painters who associated with Van Gogh. Their lives in Arles, southern France, are described in this column.

For a theater company, securing a practice space can be a major challenge. In this article, we will cast a spotlight on SUITENGU PIT (official name: Tokyo Metropolitan Arts Studio) operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, and report on its facilities, as well as on two theater troupes, OTONAKEIKAKU and FUKAIPRODUCE HAGOROMO, that are preparing for their upcoming stage openings.

At the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, participants in the Teachers’ Program spent half a day experiencing stone-grinding, fire-making and trying out architecture gymnastics, in addition to going around the museum. They were supposed to take part in the museum’s program for schools, which accepts up to 50 schools a year.

Director Yuya Ishii gained praises through works like The Tokyo Night Sky Is Always the Densest Shade of Blue (Yozora ha itsu demo saikou mitsudo no aoiro da), a film based on a book of poems. Shinsaku Nagata is a well-loved artist active in the world of picture books. The two have been close friends and worked together on the book Blue Frog (Aoi kaeru) by contributing text and art, respectively. Here is a conversation they had on the topic of “expression.”

This installment presents Denchu Hirakushi (1872-1979), a master in Japan’s world of modern sculpture and recipient of the Order of Culture in Japan. Even at the age of 100, he was active in creating works reflecting strong passion. He left behind words of wisdom and episodes imbued with the human touch.

How should artists best handle digital technology? We looked into an artist support program hosted by a private studio called FabLab Setagaya at IID, and art gallery Hakkendo Gallery.

The Teachers’ Program, connecting schools and cultural facilities, is organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture to provide teachers from elementary to high schools in Tokyo with learning opportunities during summer vacation. Teachers are invited to educational events held at 7 cultural facilities and one institution, such as art museums, museums, and halls run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, so that they can have ideas useful to their teaching.

This report is the first installment of three reports on the program, such as the event held at the Tokyo Open-Air Architecture Museum in August. Let us introduce what the Teachers’ Program is all about by showing what was done at facilities other than the Tokyo Open-Air Architecture Museum.

EAT&ART TARO is an experiential artist who takes food as his theme. Ulala Imai paints with a light touch and vibrant colors to depict everyday objects such as fresh fruit and buttered toast. The two artists, both of whom focus on the familiar with food, share ideas and talk about their art.

A master of the Italian Renaissance, Michelangelo (1475-1564), is well known for several of his masterpieces, including “David,” the mural on the Sistine Chapel ceiling and “Last Judgment.”

In addition to paintings and sculptures, his accomplishments have been recognized in architecture and poetry. His achievements have been transmitted by word of mouth even today, more than 450 years since he passed away.

For aspiring artists, securing an art-making space is a crucial issue. Hanga-Kobo (“printmaking studio”) Kawalabo! is a private art studio space of approximately 200m2, furnished with a range of equipment needed for printmaking. The studio offers a research student program, as well as art print production and publishing services. We talked to the chief printer Masahiro Kawara, and one of the research students, Sou Imaizumi.