Signs of the recession?
Every month has brought news from London and New York of gallery closures and cut-backs, but so far the only obvious Tokyo victims have been media ones (Ping Mag, Real Tokyo, Art iT, Tokyo Art Cross). However, this week we found out that TKG Daikanyama appears to be closing down after its current exhibition finishes. Is this start of a trend?
However, Bloomberg reports that Christie’s auction held at the same time as Hong Kong International Art Fair went very well. The Fair’s official site also states that visitor numbers increased by 31%.
Competitions Galore
There are only a few days left for people to get their entries in to the NikexMe Design Competition. You choose a NIKEiD sneaker online to use as a motif, customize it, create your own background and then add the shoe. The winning entries will be used as part of a book published by BCCKS. Judges include the ubiquitous Chim ↑ Pom. To enter the competition see the NIKEiD website (Japanese only).
Knit Cap Cup is back! Applicants can send their designs (plus a small fee) into the organizers and get a copy of the cap, plus 50% of the profits of any sold. See the Spoon Tamago blog for quick English instructions on how to enter or go to the official website (Japanese only).
101Tokyo Contemporary Art Fair have officially announced the winner of the Berengo Prize. Yuichi Higashionna, known for his installations using fluorescent lights and hand mirrors, will begin a residency in Venice and will craft a work out of glass at the Berengo Studio. The final piece will be on display at next year’s 101Tokyo.
Seen on the web
Germaine Greer was praising Yayoi Kusama on the Guardian website this week.
Seen on the street
Design company Curiosity have produced the UNIQLO megastore near Shinjuku Station. Passers-by could not have failed to notice the eye-catching, bright entrance. You can see what the store looks like on Curiosity’s homepage.
To coincide with the renewal work at the Kasumigaseki Building, Japan’s first modern skyscraper, Carsten Nicolai has installed the outdoor sculpture ‘Poly Stella’. Comprised of thirty panels of steel, the star-like design is intended to create interesting reflections and light effects. It will also be lit up at night and should apparently resemble a space ship.
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