Art Fair Tokyo 2011
After being postphoned due to the tsunami and earthquake took place on March 11th, ART FAIR TOKYO 2011 finally kicked off on July 29th, 2011 and will be closed on July 31st. As the largest fair of its kind in Japan, ART FAIR TOKYO features with high-quality domestic and international galleries covering a wide range of genres and periods from antiques, arts and crafts, nihonga, and modern art to contemporary art. It began in 2005, and since 2007 it has been held at the Tokyo International Forum every year. Art Fair Tokyo offers the opportunity to enjoy and acquire art across genres and periods, and celebrates the strength and vibrancy of Tokyo’s art scene.
This year's event focuses on the notion that art can function as an interactive platform to exchange various ideas and contribute to the recovery efforts for a society in the midst of crisis. Art Fair Tokyo 2011 was held with an international vision of ‘Tokyo as a city within Asia’ to develop in a way to open art to society within Japan.
Tucked away behind some pillars was a special booth for the 'more trees' eco project, displaying designer penguins by Takashi Kuribayashi. Photo: William Andrews
Upstairs in the Projects section of younger galleries, most of the booths were much tighter. However, a new addition was this special area called 'Artistic Practices'. Here Tadasu Takamine exhibited his 'super-capacitors' explorations into technology and energy. Photo: William Andrews
For Nanzuka Underground Yuji Honbori created cardboard versions of Buddhist sculptures. Photo William Andrews
Chaos at Mujin-to Production where they showcased the work of Tsubasa Kato. Photo: William Andrews
Along with some talk events, one of the nods towards the recent catastrophe in Japan is a charity stall selling fans decorated by artists. Photo: William Andrews
Art Fair Tokyo commences active communication to build up new networks primarily in the Asian region, and established the PROJECTS Artistic Committee consisting of four collectors and arts professionals from Tokyo and other cities in East Asia. With its establishment, we expect to strengthen the fair’s foundation in its region through discussions among East-Asia-based persons well-versed in art and to plan new exhibitions within Art Fair Tokyo.
