MOT Collection:
Garden of Light / Continuing Whispers

Outline

The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo houses approximately 5,500 artworks in its extensive collection, which spans the modern and contemporary periods with a focus on art of the postwar years. Each installment of the “MOT Collection” exhibition introduces artworks in the collection from various themes and angles in its effort to convey the diverse appeal of contemporary art.

Under the title, “Garden of Light / Continuing Whispers,” this exhibition consists of two sections that invite visitors to take their time strolling through the space to enjoy the diverse array of works. Featured on this occasion, among others, are paintings by various artists as well as print works that can be regarded as a core part of the museum’s collection, and a comprehensive selection of sculptures by FUNAKOSHI Katsura.

The first section (first floor) titled “Garden of Light” likens artworks to gardens, inviting viewers to gaze upon and stroll through the worlds that unfold within. Gardens are created by planting vegetation, or building mountains and ponds within empty and unoccupied plots of land. If a canvas or piece of paper is perceived as an empty plot of land, by what means do artists create and develop their work? Just as a garden shows various expressions depending on the seasons and changes in nature, artworks may be regarded as manifestations of an attempt to capture these fleeting moments through the artist’s own hand. Upon venturing into and exploring the works, viewers may find themselves coming across unexpected sights and scenes like never seen before. This exhibit centers on paintings by artists such as NAKANISHI Natsuyuki, ISHIKAWA Yukie, and SUZUKI Hiraku.

The second section (third floor) titled “Continuing Whispers” encourages us to open our ears and listen carefully to the various voices that are emitted from the works. Even works that seemingly have no element of sound or voice quietly stir the emotions of those who view them, as people’s presence, voices, and personal thoughts are evoked though the figures and faces depicted, as well as their appearance and demeanor.

In addition to the work of FUNAKOSHI Katsura from which the title of this section is derived, the works of Christian BOLTANSKI, Apichatpong WEERASETHAKUL, and FUKUDA Naoyo, and print works by KOMAI Tetsuro and HIWASAKI Takao among others, welcome viewers to embrace this space where a diverse multitude of voice overlap and coalesce.

＊Some of the exhibited works are on continued display from the previous installment of the “MOT Collection” exhibition (November 13, 2021 – February 23, 2022).
＊Please be informed that the contents of the exhibit may be subject to change.

List of Works
Pamphlet

Artists

ARAKAWA Shusaku, ISHIKAWA Yukie, USAMI Keiji, KOU Kana [YOSHIDA Kana], KOMAI　Tetsuro, SUZUKI Hiraku, DOMOTO Yuumi, NAKANISHI Natsuyuki, HIWASAKI Takao, FUKUDA Naoyo, FUNAKOSHI Katsura, MISE Natsunosuke, MIYAWAKI Aiko, LEE Ufan, Christian BOLTANSKI, Enrico CASTELLANI, Lucio FONTANA, Hamish FULTON, Rebecca HORN, Agnes MARTIN, Apichatpong WEERASETHAKUL, and more

Highlights

● The exhibition features a variety of paintings, including newly collected and entrusted works by artists of different generations such as NAKANISHI Natsuyuki, ISHIKAWA Yukie, and SUZUKI Hiraku.

● Artists such as KOMAI Tetsuro and HIWASAKI Takao who are leading figures within the history of printmaking in Japan, will be introduced from amongst the museum’s richly comprehensive collection of prints.

● Several works including an installation by KOU Kana [YOSHIDA Kana] and Christian BOLTANSKI’s representative work are on continued display from the previous installment of the “MOT Collection.”

* All programs are subject to change.