OKANO Roppongi Hills Store Gallery
Having heard that KIMONO Production OKANO, a Hakata-ori textile weaver, was about to open a gallery at its “Roppongi Hills Store” on Keyakizaka-dori in Roppongi, I paid a visit to the preview of the project, which also doubled as a solo exhibition by its first collaboration partner, “Miwa Komatsu.”
The space inside the venue was not very large, so it was extremely crowded. The crowd was quite unlike the usual gallery atmosphere; I made my visit mingling among trend-chasing young ladies enveloped in heavy makeup and strong perfume.
Honestly, it was a very uncomfortable space…
Miwa Komatsu Solo Exhibition
Miwa Komatsu sealed away her trademark quirky, otherworldly persona and gave a talk mindful of the business setting. Moderated by Hirokazu Okano, OKANO’s fifth-generation president, the talk flowed smoothly.
The works on display ranged from large to small. A wide variety was exhibited, including drawings, prints, and Arita ware ceramics.
The British Museum
Two “komainu” (guardian lion-dogs) works that had also been exhibited at The British Museum were on display as well. Beautiful pieces.
Collaboration Products
Being the businessman that he is, Okano had of course also unveiled collaboration products.
Who will the second artist be? That, too, is intriguing.
