-"Food Art Life" Workshops May 12th (Mon): Mixed Media by Marion Zoboski May 14th (Wed): Calligraphy & Doodling by Joei Lau May 15th (Thu): Creative Writing by Lauren Shannon May 16th (Fri): Journal making by Yuiko Akutsu Time: 10:00-12:30 Fee: RBD/VJ club members ¥4000/session (includes cost of materials), Non-members ¥6000/session (includes cost of materials) -Potluck Party Date & Time: May 17th (Sat) 11:00-14:00

Kokin is an artist, who is known for exhibitions in hotel lobbies of Tokyo as well as mural production in a three-star restaurant. Being made with materials like Japanese lacquer, acrylic and silver powder, Kokin's works emanate modern airiness and nature of Japanese people.

Second Bunako exhibition, featuring popular tableware series, in addition to footbath buckets and kitchen accessories. These will be on display and for sale. In addition, the Yauatcha Tea Set, designed by Shin Azumi, which was awarded the Homes and Gardens Classic Design Award (UK), as well as selected to be part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's permanent collection, will be on display. Reception party: May 9th 19:00-21:00

From April 16th (Tue) to May 19th (Mon), a brand new series of unique umbrellas and parasols by Canadian designer/sculptor John Di Cesare will be on sale at SFT. 15 years ago, Cesare came up with a radical new concept for umbrellas and parasols. This concept eventually brought him to Japan, where he pursued his fascination with these objects and their role in Japanese culture. His playful designs, full of originality, are made in the same spirit as traditional Japanese umbrellas and parasols. In this exhibition at SFT, 4 of Cesare's design series will be on display. The Parashell Parasol draws inspiration from the shapes and textures of seashells. The Kabocha Parasol is inspired by the chubby form of a pumpkin. The Rhythm Umbrella for women and Grande Umbrella for men share beautiful two-hue combinations as well as an irregular rib shape.

Opening Reception: April 17th (Thurs) 18:00-20:00 The artist will be present at the opening.

Gallery Strenger is delighted to present a special sculpture exhibition featuring the acclaimed Belgian artist, Myriam Eykens. This will be her first solo exhibition in Japan and will feature a recent series of representative work - female figures made of terracotta delicately colored with natural pigments and bronze, with a fair skin texture. Eykens' figures have peaceful and somehow extraordinary expressions, depicted in their graceful postures and their mellow, curvaceous bodies. The airy texture of the terracotta and the smooth surface of the bronze give them a timeless and serene appearance. The Belgian art critic Stephane Rey wrote that Eykens was an artist who had a rare and exquisite expression suffused with a calm and soft aura, as well as a dignified graciousness, marking her work as blissfully free from current fashions in art. Gallery Strenger opened last September with a four-artist exhibition which included Eykens, and is delighted to present her first solo show this time around. Vernissage: April 17th (Thu) 19:00-21:00

Celebrating the launching of a new digital camera "FinePix S100FS", Fujifilm Square is presenting approximately 70 nature photographs by 5 notable photographers Masaaki Aihara, Tatsuya Tanaka, Masato Terauchi, Tadayuki Naito and Shin Yoshino in an innovative "folding screen" style. Location: Photo Cafe (1F)

-Unac Tokyo Special Lecture "Let's Talk about Hosai" Guest: Momoko Kuroda Host: Masaomi Umiue Date & Time: May 17th (Sat) 16:00-18:00 Fee: ¥2000 [Image: "Fingers with Clipped Nails" 61.5 × 90.6 cm]

Takashi Sugimoto is not only a commercial space designer, but also a pioneer in the food business, university professor and more. His work is characterized by a bold use of materials, creating new, innovative environments that bring people and the objects that surround them together in stimulating ways. This exhibition focuses on the way in which water and iron are used as building materials to construct teahouses, or spaces for the Japanese tea ceremony. Two teahouses are on display, showcasing the unique aspects of Japanese design and culture, of design as a form of communication. His conception of the Japanese teahouse transcends conventional notions of their design in order to create new, somewhat fantastical spaces. Without overly emphasizing the importance of the materials themselves, Sugimoto teases out the possibilities of space in order to reconsider the very essence of what constitutes good design. Tea ceremonies will also be held over the duration of the exhibition and all are invited to participate. See website for more details.

The Hara Museum of Contemporary Art is pleased to present an exhibition of selections from its permanent collection of approximately 1,000 works. These will include artworks from the areas of painting, photography, video and installation, as well as recent acquisitions. Featured artists include Nobuyoshi Araki, Izumi Kato, Mika Kato, On Kawara, Yayoi Kusama, Kae Masuda, Yasumasa Morimura, Yoshitomo Nara, Kohei Nawa, Satoshi Ohno, Thiago Rocha Pitta, Wilhelm Sasnal, Malik Sidibe, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Adriana Varejão and Ai Weiwei. Also to be showcased are Sketch of Yodo River by Maruyama Oukyo from the Hara Rokuro Collection and a scale model of the newly expanded Hara Museum ARC. The expansion work is currently underway and is due to be completed in July. The renovation will include the new Kankai Pavilion, a gallery designed by Arata Isozaki dedicated to the Hara Rokuro Collection. Please see "About Kankai Pavilion" on museum website for details.

This is Seonna Hong's first solo exhibition in Japan. [Image: Seonna Hong, "I am not Permanent" (2007), acrylic and paper on wood panel, 1829 x 1219 mm] ©2007 Seonna Hong All Rights Reserved.

Performance installation May 12th (Mon) - 15th (Thu) 11:00-19:00 Representative work by Matsushita using Bincho charcoal will be publicly shown for the first time at the venue over four days. These are all new works in charcoal that also incorporate bits of earth. Opening event: "Charcoal Art and Music" May 15th (Thu), 19:00- The end of the installation, in conjunction with a live music event by Asia Sunrise. Acoustic sounds will fill the space of the venue in complement with Matsushita's dynamic charcoal figures.

Opening Reception: March 15th (Sat) 18:00-20:00

Shiozaki used to work for a leading game software company in Tokyo as a 3D designer, whereas his interest in photography continued to grow. He at last quit the company and started walking a new path as a photographer. Shiozaki has traveled many foreign countries such as India, Nepal, America and Europe. His private journeys abroad have been important inspiration for his artistic creation, which always conveyed smell, sound, warmth of each place he visited. This spring, he visited Paris and shot photographs of the site with his own perspective. Approximately 30 works, including newest works, will be on display.

The spirited architect, Jun Aoki, has produced a spatial composition for this exhibition in an attempt to give visual form to the "transparent speed" of automobiles. In the exhibition space that Aoki has created, art cars by remarkable artists such as David Hockney and Roy Lichtenstein are on display. This show is a part of the worldwide exhibition "Auto-Nom-Mobile," held in 2005 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the BMW Art Car Collection. After Japan, the exhibition will tour the United States, Canada and Europe. The speed of the art cars will be visually rendered by approximately 10,000 transparent cloud-like pipes through which lights will move around and reflect off of in a diffuse manner. There are two main elements that motivated this idea of being "within the clouds": the BMW brand being originally a design and manufacturing company of aircraft engines; and the location of the site on the 52nd floor of the building). At BMW Group Studio, which opened last year as a corporate showcase for BMW Corporation, the original art car by Alexander Calder, a BMW 3.0 CSL/1975, will be on display from April 5th through May 11th (10:00-20:00, admission free), while a lounge filled with design books and monographs of artists who designed the art cars will be at the site also.

The history of Japanese modern painting has evolved into something absolutely unique because of the coexistence of two styles, Nihon-ga (Japanese traditional painting) and Yo-ga (Western style oil painting). These styles were developed by artists based in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. This exhibition presents works by significant painters of the modern period as well as works by influential western painters such as Jean-Paul Laurens and Claude Monet. Exhibition Part I: March 15th (Sat) - April 27th (Sun), Part II: April 29th (Tue) - June 8th (Sun) [Image: Saburosuke Okada "Goyotsuta (five-leaf ivy)" (1909)]

Amedeo Modigliani is known as a representative early twentieth century École de Paris artist who was active in the Montparnasse artist community. However, his interest in the simple rustic forms often seen in African and Southeast Asian art for inspiration is lesser known. This exhibition introduces a wide variety of works that trace the development of his expression that is deeply rooted in primitism. The works begin with his early "Cariatid" series, rich in influences from primitism, and end with his unique portraits. Approximately 150 oil paintings and sketches are on display. [Image: "Caryatides" (1914) Mixed media on paper. Collection of Joel D. Honigberg]

Reception: May 10th (Sat)

Gallery Terra Tokyo is pleased announce to present the first exhibition in Japan by Lydia Venieri. "Her most recent work, No Evil, featured in this exhibition, focuses on tightly framed faces of dolls. Reflected in their oversized eyes are images drawn from a number of different sites of conflict - from the remains of the World Trade Center, to Guantanamo and Iraq. The naivete of the dolls is contradicted by the painful scenes they seem to witness. These works are both literal and metaphorical reflections on our immersion in contemporary media; at the same time, they reference classic Surrealist artists like Han Bellmer (who was also enamored of dolls) and Claude Cahun (who created a striking series of still life 'self-portraits')." -Beth E. Wilson, art historian, critic, and curator Reception for the artist: May 10th (Sat) 17:00-19:00 [Image: Lydia Venieri, "See no Evil, Speak no Evil, Hear no Evil," (2008), archival inkjet on polysatin, 76x152cm]

minä perhonen is a fashion brand that was established 13 years ago. Their catalogue of designs continues to grow, backed by a 700+ strong archive of fabric designs. minä perhonen believes in making clothing that stands the test of time. Many of their customers take good care of the clothes, enjoying them for years. Also available at the gallery will be catalogues, books, coasters, posters, bags and T-shirts.

Eight years into the new millennium and the question arises: where are we headed, now that we live in the century once hailed as the future? This question is the springboard and theme for our third exhibition, starting on the first anniversary of 21_21 Design Sight's opening in 2007. The exhibition title refers of course to the 21st century, and by "Man", to those of us living here, now. The title also expresses a desire to place our hope in the future. The focus of this show is on the 21st century and its people as a means by which to explore ideas for building a better future for this century and beyond. Exhibition director Issey Miyake has done extensive research to prepare for the show, which includes a wide spectrum of Japanese and international creators, all of whom address today's many doubts and insecurities through their own individual form of creative expression. Please see the website for more information and related events.

The Turner Prize is one of the most important prizes in the art world today. Organized by the Tate galleries and presented annually since 1984, it represents a major steppingstone for young British artists. The Prize is unique because it is not restricted to conventional media – such as painting, sculpture or photography – but may include new and diverse forms of expression. The awards ceremony is telecast live and is a highly anticipated national event in Britain. This exhibition – the first time that works by all past Prize-winners have been exhibited together– provides an opportunity to examine changes in the Prize over the years. It is at the same time a retrospective of British contemporary art, with work by the likes of Gilbert and George, Tony Cragg, Anish Kapoor, Damien Hirst and Wolfgang Tillmans. Related public programs: "British Contemporary Art and the Turner Prize" (headsets with Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation provided) We have invited the director and curator of the Tate in London to give a lecture about one of the most important prizes for contemporary art, the Turner, as well as about the history of its reception. Sir Nicholas Serota (director of Tate Museum) LIzzy Carey-Thomas (curator, Tate Britain) Moderator: Fumio Nanjo (director, Mori Art Museum) Date and time: April 25th (Fri), 19:00-21:00 Venue: Academy Hills, 49F (Mori Tower, 49F) Organized by Mori Art Museum and Academy Hills Limited to 350 persons. Fee: Regular ¥1000, Students and MAMC members ¥500 To reserve a place, please visit the Mori Art Museum website. Artist Talk (Japanese-English consecutive interpretation provided) Artists whose work is being shown will talk about their work. Date and time: April 26th (Sat), 14:00-16:00 Speakers: Rachel Whiteread (1993 Turner recipient), Martin Creed (2001 Turner recipient), others Venue: Mori Art Museum 53F exhibition gallery 1 Limited to 100 persons per talk (first-come first-serve basis, reservation not required) Fee: Free (admission to exhibition required) [Image: Damien Hirst "Mother and Child, Divided" (1993) Steel, GRP composites, glass, silicone sealants, cow, calf, formaldehyde solution 208.6 × 332.5 × 109cm (×2), 113.6 × 169 × 62cm (×2) Astrup Fearnley Museum, Oslo]

Born in 1971, Saskia Olde Wolbers creates videos with a mysterious transparency. After creating elaborate handmade models, Wolbers films them, building up stories within. The constructed worlds on the screen may be beautiful, but show no people and are desolate. Combined with a soft, somewhat magical voice-over, her images penetrate deep into the minds and memories of viewers. Each of her works raises doubts about the truth of a world that we had believed to be real, giving a glimpse of the extent to which what we perceive as reality is in fact a constructed artifact. In 2003 Olde Wolbers won the Baloise Art Prize at Basel Art Fair, followed by the Becks’ Futures Award in 2004. She was also selected for ARTFORUM magazine’s “Best of 2005: 11 critics and curators look at the year in art,” demonstrating her growing reputation and potential. The timing is perfect for Mori Art Museum to bring her art to Japan. -Artist Talk April 26th (Sat) 17:00-18:30 *with consecutive interpretation. Location: 52nd Floor Information Counter

CB Collection Roppongi is delighted to present "CB Janes", a group exhibition of female artists. Artists of different nationalities and ages are represented, including Marilyn Minter, who designed the catalog cover for the Whitney Biennale two years ago; Ghada Amer, an Egyptian artist who is currently showing at the Brooklyn Museum; as well as Japanese artists Chiho Aoshima and Ayako Rokkaku. These ten artists bring their varying styles and media to 29 works, each with their own special character that becomes all the more apparent by being exhibited side by side. [Image: Marilyn Minter, "Shit Kicker" (2006), 153x215.9cm, C-print ed.3]

The permanent exhibition "Non Surrealisme" will be held during the first, second and third weeks of every month and introduce works by artists Vladimir Kush and Hiroshi Anzai. The last week of every month will feature an exhibition by a new and upcoming artist.

This exhibition aims to reenact the representative postwar photographer Tadahiko Hayashi's past exhibition "Time of Kasutori" held at old Fuji Photo Salon in August 1980, based on the photo panels and documentary photos used at that time. "Kasutori" was coarse alcohol illicitly manufactured with rice and potatoes right after World War II. This exhibition showcases Hayashi's 86 monochrome photographs of the ruins and black market that all mirror the social condition of such a tumultuous postwar period when Kasutori prevailed.

A look at contemporary art from the UK, divided into three periods - the 1980s, 90s, and 2000 onwards. Simultaneous Japanese-English interpretation will be provided for the 1st and 2nd lectures 1st lecture: Junichi Shiota, who has spent many years researching British contemporary art - from "expanded sculpture" to New British Sculpture - as well as planning and curating exhibitions on the subject, will give a talk on the art scene during the 1980s. Date and time: May 17th (Sat) 14:00-16:00 Speaker: Junichi Shiota (assistant director, Teien Metropolitan Art Museum) Moderator: Eriko Osaka (artistic director, Mori Art Museum) 2nd lecture: "YBAs: from Britpop to Cool Britannia" Yoshitaka Mori, who spent a great deal of time in 1990s London, will take a look back at the activities of the Young British Artists (YBAs) of the time. Date and time: June 8th (Sun) 14:00-16:00 Speaker: Yoshitaka Mori (assistant professor, music and acoustic environment department, Tokyo Geidai University) Moderator: Kenichi Endo (assistant curator, Mori Art Museum) Venue: Academy Hills 49F (Mori Tower 49F) Organizers: Mori Art Museum, Academy Hills Limited to 120 persons Fee: Regular ¥1000, Students and MAMC members ¥500 3rd lecture: "Post-YBA: British Art Now" (Japanese only) Phenomena in the British contemporary art scene from the past 10 years or so, such as the opening and runaway success of the Tate Modern and a new generation of post-YBAs, will be discussed. Date and time: June 24th (Tue) 19:00-21:00 Speaker: Roger McDonald (independent curator) Moderator: Kenichi Endo (assistant curator, Mori Art Museum) Venue: Mori Art Museum 53F Gallery Limited to 100 persons (reservation necessary) Fee: ¥500 (admission to exhibition required) Those interested in attending should make a reservation directly with the Mori Art Museum on their website.

Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation handsets will be provided. The speaker for this talk is one of Japan's foremost contemporary artists, Tatsuo Miyajima. This first edition of the MAM Art Course will examine Miyajima's previous work, such as "The Birth of Time" Persimmon Tree Project, and "Time's Wandering: The Hospice Project", and discuss the relationship of art to society. Date and time: May 23rd (Fri) 19:00-21:00 Speaker: Tatsuo Miyajima (contemporary artist/vice-president of Tohoku University of Art and Technology) Applications: www.mori.art.museum Applications accepted starting 12:00 on April 24th (Thu)

Emily Kame Kngwarreye (1910-1996) is one of the representative Australian artists. During her carrer, she produced beautifully innovative works with her unique Aboriginal view of the world. On the other hand, her works are extremely modern and can be compared to abstract expressionists' works. Over 120 works, including well-known "Big Yum Dreaming", will be on display, revealing art of Kngwarreye for the first time in Japan. Please see exhibition website for more details.

20x20 Pecha-Kucha Night vol.52 20 images x 20 seconds 20:20pm start Hosted by Klein Dytham architecture. Anyone in the architectural and design world can 'show' and tell. It may be a newly finished building, it may be a new project, a new piece of furniture, a new event, a new idea, something you want to share with everyone. Architects, architectural students, students who are looking for a job and want to promote their skills, any creative person - everyone is encouraged to take part. Each person has twenty images, each image will be shown for 20 seconds. You can talk along with your slides.

Instead of just being a casual observer of art, what would being a collector mean, acquiring works of art and having them adorn your own living space? Misa Shin, an active fundraiser and public relations professional in the field of art, will share her thoughts on purchasing contemporary art and the latest news concerning the international art market. Date and time: June 30th (Mon) 19:00-21:00 Speaker: Misa Shin (executive director, Art Fair Tokyo)