Saturday, October 26, 2024 – Sunday, December 8, 2024 at Ueno Geidai Art Plaza (free admission)
A special exhibition titled “Beautiful Foolishness – Were we born to play?” will be held from Saturday, October 26, 2024 at the “Geidai Art Plaza” gallery on the campus of the Tokyo University of the Arts Faculty of Fine Arts (Ueno, Taito Ward), a collaborative project between Shogakukan and Tokyo University of the Arts. The exhibition will feature works by approximately 10 artists associated with the university. Admission is free, and photography is generally allowed. Children are welcome.
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Exhibition announcement page
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/25475/
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Special exhibition “Beautiful Foolishness – Were we born to play?” to be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024
Okakura Tenshin, who served as principal of Tokyo School of Fine Arts, the predecessor of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Tokyo University of the Arts, ended the first chapter of his book “The Book of Tea” with these words.
“Let us dream of evanescence, and linger in the beautiful foolishness of things.”
(Let us dream of transience for a moment, and surrender to the beautiful stupidity of things.)
The word “foolishness” is usually only used in a negative sense. By describing it as “beautiful,” Tenshin seems to be paying the highest praise to things or things that are utilitarian and useless, or to seemingly worthless existences that are freed from social contexts and relationships.
In addition, the “Ryōjin Hishō”, compiled by Emperor Goshirakawa, who could be called the emperor of pop in Japan, contains a passage that had a major influence on subsequent literary works: “Was I born to play? Was I born to frolic?”
This time, the Tokyo University of the Arts Art Plaza focused on two phrases: “Beautiful Folly” and “Was I Born to Play?” We wondered if it would be good to have art that exists like that.
Take a moment to immerse yourself in the “beautiful and silly” and “born for fun” works created by Tokyo University of the Arts artists.
■ Overview of the special exhibition <br />Special exhibition name: Special exhibition “Beautiful Foolishness – Were we born to play?”
Venue: Geidai Art Plaza (Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, 12-8 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Dates: Saturday, October 26, 2024 – Sunday, December 8, 2024
Admission fee: Free Opening hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed: Mondays *Business hours may change. Please check the official website or SNS for the latest information.
■ List of artists scheduled to exhibit: Haruna Asanoi / Kanshin Imai / Ryo Ogata / Kenichi Kato / Aya Kurashiki / Shotarou Sanada / Hinako Suda / Honami Matsuo / Juri Hayashi / Naoko Hayashi
What is Geidai Art Plaza?
The Tokyo University of the Arts (Geidai) has produced many top artists, and the gallery “Geidai Art Plaza” exhibits and sells works by faculty, students, and graduates of the university. It is one of the precious places on the Ueno campus of the university that is open to the public throughout the year. It began operation in 2018 as a collaborative project between Shogakukan and the University of the Arts.
Currently, exhibitions with different themes are held every one or two months. Each special exhibition features 10 to 50 artists, who bring together works that are expressed using the diverse techniques and approaches unique to Tokyo University of the Arts, including oil painting, Japanese painting, sculpture, crafts, and design.
Exhibition view of the special exhibition “Geidai Art Plaza Art Award Winners Invitation Exhibition – Geidai Stars” to be held from August to October 2024
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/25284/
Inside the store, there is a permanent exhibition corner called “LIFE WITH ART” that focuses on art that fits into daily life, such as tableware and accessories, and a bookshelf that is linked to special exhibitions. During the store’s business hours, you can take a break with a cafe drink from the outdoor food truck “NoM cafe”.
Admission to the Tokyo University of the Arts Art Plaza is free. Taking photos and sharing them on social media is also welcome. We aim to be a place where anyone, not just art fans, can easily experience art.
Geidai Art Plaza Basic Information
■ Access Nearest station: JR Ueno Station (Park Exit) or Uguisudani Station, approx. 10-minute walk Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, Nezu Station, approx. 10-minute walk Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Ueno Station, approx. 15-minute walk Keisei Electric Railway, Keisei Ueno Station, approx. 15-minute walk Toei Bus Route 26 (Kameido – Ueno Park), Yanaka bus stop, approx. 3-minute walk *Please note that there is no parking lot, so please do not come by car.
■ Official social media accounts
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/geidai_art_plaza
X:
https://x.com/artplaza_geidai
Podcasts (Spotify):
https://open.spotify.com/show/2FlkumYv9ScWy69UlBtqWy
Threads:
https://www.threads.net/@geidai_art_plaza
■ Exhibition in 2024
January-March 2024 “Geidai Art Plaza Art Award Winners Exhibition”
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/22308/
March-May 2024 “Welcome to the art zoo!”
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/22560/
June-July 2024 “The Art of Tea”
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/23855/
August-October 2024 “Geidai Art Plaza Art Award Winners Invitation Exhibition – Stars of Geidai”
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/25284/
■ Inquiries <br />Click here for frequently asked questions
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/qa/
[Shogakukan Inc.] Press release
Article provided by: Kokosil Ueno
See other exhibition information
