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[News] "Classic × Modern 2020: Japanese Art Transcending Time" at The National Art Center, Tokyo

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【News】「古典×現代2020―時空を超える日本のアート」国立新美術館

Classic × Modern 2020: Japanese Art Transcending Time

In 2020, as international attention turns to Tokyo, “Classic × Modern 2020: Japanese Art Transcending Time” will open at The National Art Center, Tokyo.

Through the juxtaposition of pre-modern and contemporary art, the exhibition explores the rich soil of Japanese art and shares its charm from a fresh perspective.

"Classic × Modern 2020" The National Art Center, Tokyo
“Classic × Modern 2020” The National Art Center, Tokyo

The exhibition pairs masterworks of paintings, Buddhist statues, ceramics, and swords from before the Edo period with pieces by eight contemporary artists, organizing each pair in one of eight galleries.
On the classical side are works by masters known to all such as Soga Shohaku, Ogata Kenzan, Enku, Sengai Gibon, and Katsushika Hokusai, alongside a Kamakura-era Buddhist statue, Edo-period bird-and-flower paintings, and celebrated swords.
On the contemporary side, leading creators representing today’s Japan have been selected: Rinko Kawauchi, Tomoko Konoike, Shiriagari Kotobuki, Kishio Suga, Koji Tanada, Tsuyoshi Tane, Akira Minagawa, and Tadanori Yokoo.

The eight pairings on view are as follows:

  1. Bird-and-flower paintings × Rinko Kawauchi
  2. Swords × Tomoko Konoike
  3. Hokusai × Shiriagari Kotobuki
  4. Sengai × Kishio Suga
  5. Enku × Koji Tanada
  6. Buddhist statues × Tsuyoshi Tane
  7. Kenzan × Akira Minagawa
  8. Shohaku × Tadanori Yokoo

The relationships between the contemporary artists’ work and the historic masterpieces vary widely.
The exhibition highlights not only affinities in worldview, subject matter, form, and technique, but also inspirations drawn from predecessors, parodies rooted in universally known images, and installations that incorporate older works — spotlighting how today’s artists actively engage with the great achievements of the past.
Through the comparison of today’s outstanding expression with the enduring appeal of classical masterworks, visitors will have the chance to discover new charms that neither could reveal alone.

Exhibition Structure

Below we introduce the works planned for each of the eight pairings.
The combinations are designed to test the viewer’s imagination.

Bird-and-flower paintings × Rinko Kawauchi

Ito Jakuchu, "Birds," Edo period, 18th century, color on silk, 120.0×43.3cm, The Museum of Shiga Prefecture Lake Biwa Cultur…
Ito Jakuchu, “Birds,” Edo period, 18th century, color on silk, 120.0×43.3cm, The Museum of Shiga Prefecture Lake Biwa Cultural Museum; work rotation planned
Rinko Kawauchi, "Untitled," from the series , 2004, C-print, collection of the artist © Rinko Kawauchi
Rinko Kawauchi, “Untitled,” from the series , 2004, C-print, collection of the artist © Rinko Kawauchi

Swords × Tomoko Konoike

Sword, signed Kanefusa, Muromachi period, 16th century, forged steel, length 70.0cm, private collection
Sword, signed Kanefusa, Muromachi period, 16th century, forged steel, length 70.0cm, private collection
Tomoko Konoike, "Hide Curtain," 2015, crayon and watercolor on cowhide, 600.0×2400.0cm, Takahashi Ryutaro Collection ©Tomoko…
Tomoko Konoike, “Hide Curtain,” 2015, crayon and watercolor on cowhide, 600.0×2400.0cm, Takahashi Ryutaro Collection ©Tomoko Konoike

Hokusai × Shiriagari Kotobuki

Katsushika Hokusai, "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" from Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, Edo period, 19th century, oban nishik…
Katsushika Hokusai, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” from Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, Edo period, 19th century, oban nishiki-e, 25.2×38.5cm, Kuboso Memorial Museum of Arts, Izumi; work rotation planned
Shiriagari Kotobuki, "A Slightly Amusing Almost-Thirty-Six Views: Earth Seen from the Sun," 2017, inkjet print on washi, 32.…
Shiriagari Kotobuki, “A Slightly Amusing Almost-Thirty-Six Views: Earth Seen from the Sun,” 2017, inkjet print on washi, 32.0×47.0cm, collection of the artist; work rotation planned

Sengai × Kishio Suga

Sengai Gibon, "Circle," Edo period, 19th century, ink on paper, 37.0×49.0cm, Fukuoka Art Museum (Ishimura Collection); work …
Sengai Gibon, “Circle,” Edo period, 19th century, ink on paper, 37.0×49.0cm, Fukuoka Art Museum (Ishimura Collection); work rotation planned
Kishio Suga, "Supported Sky," 1985, stainless steel plate, wood, stone, bamboo, 510.0×570.0×153.0cm, collection of the artis…
Kishio Suga, “Supported Sky,” 1985, stainless steel plate, wood, stone, bamboo, 510.0×570.0×153.0cm, collection of the artist, photo: Kishio Suga

Enku × Koji Tanada

Enku, "Standing Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva," Edo period, 17th century, wood, total height 221.2cm, Koga Shrine, Gifu; …
Enku, “Standing Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva,” Edo period, 17th century, wood, total height 221.2cm, Koga Shrine, Gifu; work rotation planned
Koji Tanada, "Woman of Curves," 2019, single-block camphor wood carving, oil, resin, sequins, 159.0×65.5×31.0cm, collection …
Koji Tanada, “Woman of Curves,” 2019, single-block camphor wood carving, oil, resin, sequins, 159.0×65.5×31.0cm, collection of the artist
photo: Kei Miyajima ©TANADA Koji, Courtesy of Mizuma Art Gallery

Buddhist statues × Tsuyoshi Tane

Before: “Standing Gakko Bodhisattva,” Kamakura period, 13th century, wood, statue height 144.3cm, Saimyoji, Shiga / After: “Standing Nikko Bodhisattva,” Kamakura period, 13th century, wood, statue height 141.6cm, Saimyoji, Shiga
Tsuyoshi Tane, "Estonian National Museum," 2006-16 © Takuji Shimmura | Image courtesy of DGT.
Tsuyoshi Tane, “Estonian National Museum,” 2006-16 © Takuji Shimmura | Image courtesy of DGT.

Kenzan × Akira Minagawa

Ogata Kenzan, "Rust-Painted Lily-Shaped Mukozuke Dish," Edo period, 18th century, glazed ceramic, each h. 5.2cm, mouth d. 15…
Ogata Kenzan, “Rust-Painted Lily-Shaped Mukozuke Dish,” Edo period, 18th century, glazed ceramic, each h. 5.2cm, mouth d. 15.8cm, base d. 5.8cm, MIHO MUSEUM, photo: Gozen Koshida
minä perhonen, "ring flower," Autumn/Winter 2005-06 collection
minä perhonen, “ring flower,” Autumn/Winter 2005-06 collection

Shohaku × Tadanori Yokoo

Soga Shohaku, "Immortals" (left screen), Edo period, 18th century, ink and light color on paper, each 160.2×175.0cm, pair of…
Soga Shohaku, “Immortals” (left screen), Edo period, 18th century, ink and light color on paper, each 160.2×175.0cm, pair of two-panel folding screens, Tokyo University of the Arts; work rotation planned
Tadanori Yokoo, "Lunch on the Battlefield," 1990 / 2019, oil on canvas, 212.0×178.0cm, collection of the artist
Tadanori Yokoo, “Lunch on the Battlefield,” 1990 / 2019, oil on canvas, 212.0×178.0cm, collection of the artist
Tadanori Yokoo, "Kanzan and Jittoku 2020," 2019, oil on canvas with fusuma door pull, 193.9×112.1×2.0cm, collection of the a…
Tadanori Yokoo, “Kanzan and Jittoku 2020,” 2019, oil on canvas with fusuma door pull, 193.9×112.1×2.0cm, collection of the artist

This is set to be one of 2020’s most notable exhibitions!

Overview

Classic × Modern 2020: Japanese Art Transcending Time

Venue: The National Art Center, Tokyo, Special Exhibition Gallery 2E
Dates: March 11 (Wed) – June 1 (Mon), 2020
Closed: Tuesdays *Open on May 5 (Tue, national holiday), closed on May 7 (Thu)
Hours: 10:00–18:00 *Admission until 30 minutes before closing. Open until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
*Open until 22:00 on May 30 (Sat) for Roppongi Art Night 2020.
Admission (tax incl.):
Same-day: 1,700 yen (general), 1,100 yen (university students), 700 yen (high school students)
Advance/group: 1,500 yen (general), 900 yen (university students), 500 yen (high school students)

 

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