We visited the first solo exhibition in 11 years by Julian Opie, one of Britain’s leading contemporary artists. The venue is Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery.
Tokyo Opera City Art GalleryThe letters “JULIAN OPIE” were formed from neatly arranged circular stickers.
This Opie exhibition marks his first art show in 11 years. The previous one was held at the Contemporary Art Gallery of Art Tower Mito.
The earlier show reportedly featured 65 works, whereas this exhibition presents just 27 works (including 2 sound art pieces).
At the press conference during the opening, Julian Opie spoke as follows:
Taking into account the beautiful and distinctive space of Tokyo Opera City, I curated the exhibition myself, together with my London staff.
What I focused on was designing a way for each visitor to enjoy the exhibition rooms as if listening to music, watching a film, or unraveling a story.
There are no particular rules on how to enjoy it.
The entrance is fixed, but please view the works freely and share in the story that unfolds throughout the whole.
Julian Opie, saying: “I want you to view freely, as if experiencing music, film, or unraveling a story.”
Exhibited Works
Julian Opie, Walking in New York 1, 590.0 x 671.0 cm, emulsion paint on wall, painted wood, 2019Julian Opie, Walking in Boston, 590.0 x 671.0 cm, emulsion paint on wall, painted wood, 2019Installation viewJulian Opie, Satchel, overlaid acrylic panel, 220 x 118.3 x 4.5 cm, 2018 — in this series, the feet aren’t drawn.Left: Julian Opie, Towel, overlaid acrylic panel, 220 x 115.7 x 4.5 cm, 2018 Right: Julian Opie, Headphones, overlaid acrylic panel, 220 x 112.0 x 4.5 cm, 2018Left: Julian Opie, Fringe, overlaid acrylic panel, 220 x 115.7 x 4.5 cm, 2018 Right: Julian Opie, Headphones, overlaid acrylic panel, 220 x 112.0 x 4.5 cm, 2018Left: Julian Opie, Tatoo, overlaid acrylic panel, 220 x 118.3 x 4.5 cm, 2018 Right: Julian Opie, Trilby, overlaid acrylic panel, 220 x 121.0 x 4.5 cm, 2018Julian Opie, Tatoo (detail)Installation view — Left: Julian Opie, Walking in London, computer animation, 4-panel LED screen, 2019
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Julian Opie, 3 stone sheep, stone carving, bronze, aluminum, dimensions variable, 2018Julian Opie, Street 1, aluminum with automotive paint, 210.0 x 140.0 x 90.0 cm, 2019 — the pedestal and floor are made of the same material.Julian Opie, Headphones, bronze on stone pedestal, 181.6 x 70.0 x 3.0 cm, 2018Installation view — Left: Julian Opie, Cardigan, bronze on stone pedestal, 176.7 x 63.2 x 2.5 cm, 2018Julian Opie, Telephone, bronze on stone pedestal, 182.0 x 60.65 x 2.5 cm, 2018 *Collection of Masatoshi KumagaiJulian Opie, Wheatfields, aluminum with automotive paint, 191.0 x 280.0 x 5.5 cm, 2019Julian Opie, Valley, aluminum with automotive paint, 191.0 x 280.0 x 5.5 cm, 2019Julian Opie, Valley (detail)Julian Opie, Crows, computer animation, 5 double-sided LED screens, each 61.5 x 41.0 x 23.2 cm, 2018Julian Opie, Carp, computer animation, 20 LED screens, 150.0 x 2400.0 cm, 2019
Merchandise
At the museum shop “Gallery 5,” adjacent to the exhibition space, along with the exhibition catalogue and past monographs, a variety of artist goods featuring Julian Opie’s works were available.
“Gallery 5”Left: Collaboration T-shirts and smartphone covers with SOPHNET., the apparel brand founded by Hirofumi Kiyonaga Right: Exhibition catalogue (2,300 yen)Various items, mainly official goods imported from the UK, were on display.Upper right: “PORTRAIT BUSTS” 7,800 yen (excl. tax); Lower right: “Australian statuettes” 6,000 yen (excl. tax) *Both imported from the UK
We heard that a large staff came all the way from London for this exhibition, making it a time- and effort-intensive project. The large-scale works taking advantage of the space’s height and breadth, such as Walking in New York 1, were particularly striking, and the exhibition unfolded in a smart, refined manner truly characteristic of Opie.
As if to reflect Opie’s popularity, merchandise sales were strong, and some items even sold out by opening day.
