Month: August 2024

"Resol Gallery Ueno" art gallery in the living lobby of the tourist hotel "Hotel Resol Ueno" (Dates: Thursday, August 1, 2024 to Saturday, August 31, 2024, free admission)

Hotel Resol Ueno, a tourist hotel under the Resol Hotels brand operated by Resol Co., Ltd., will hold a special exhibition of five works by artist Yoko Sekine at the art gallery in the living lobby, Resol Gallery Ueno, from August 1, 2024. The event will run from Thursday, August 1st to Saturday, August 31st.

As part of the hotel's efforts to become a part of the Ueno area, where art and the downtown area coexist in harmony, Hotel Resol Ueno has opened an art gallery in the living lobby called "Resol Gallery Ueno," which showcases up-and-coming artists who are promoting the culture of the future. In February of this year, we started an initiative to utilize the space as a place for travelers to meet new people. Since then, it has become a place where not only guests but also the general public can experience the sensibilities and works of up-and-coming artists. It is also enjoyed by people who are not familiar with the subject.

The fourth artist, Hiroko Sekine, completed her master’s degree at the Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School. In 1988, she exhibited at the National Exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and in 2007, she was recommended as an associate member of the Kokugakai Association. She has gained experience in being recommended as a member of the Kokugakai, and is currently holding solo exhibitions mainly at Ginza Gallery Azuma. Last year, in 2023, she held the "FU-FU Exhibition" with her husband, Koji Ogawa. He is currently actively working as a lecturer at Yokohama Seifu High School.

The works on display this time include "Rendezvous I" and "Rendezvous II" (2022), which are two pieces that form one painting, "Summer Bouquet" (2023), "Flower Camellia" (2023), and "Red – "Hydrangea" (2023) and other works feature striking, colorful flowers.

At Risol Hotels, we will continue to weave irreplaceable travel stories through hotel operations that thoroughly meet the needs of all travelers (tourists).

Event Overview｜
Date: August 1st (Thursday) – August 31st (Saturday), 2024
Artist: Yoko Sekine
Admission fee: Free *People other than hotel guests are welcome to drop by.
Opening hours: [Hotel guests] Open 24 hours. / [Non-hotel guests] 10:00-20:00

Exhibited works:

"Rendezvous I" (left)
"Rendezvous II" (right)
(2022 Oil on cotton panel, 1260 x 297 cm)
A series of works. Even when we meet, our eyes somehow don't meet.
But I know the feeling

"Summer Bouquet"
(2023 Oil on cotton panel F4)
Girl with a bouquet of summer flowers

"Flower: Camellia"
(2023 Oil on cotton panel F3)
Arranging white camellias among Japanese motifs

" Vermilion Hydrangea"
(2023 Oil on cotton panel F3)
Contrasting blue hydrangeas on a vermilion background

Profile: Hiroko Sekine
1986 Graduated from the Department of Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts
1988 Completed master's program at Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School of Fine Arts
1988 Exhibited at the National Exhibition (Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo)
2007 Recommended as an associate member of the Kokugakai
2012 Recommended as a member of the Kokugakai

Solo Exhibitions
1988 Solo Exhibition (Gallery Hinoki, Ginza, Tokyo)
1990 Solo Exhibition (Ginza Surugadai Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo)
1992 Solo Exhibition (Ginza Surugadai Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo)
2010 Solo Exhibition (AC Gallery)
2018 Solo Exhibition (Ginza Gallery Azuma, Ginza, Tokyo)
2021 Solo Exhibition (Ginza Gallery Azuma, Ginza, Tokyo)

Group Exhibition
2011 Bijusaikai (Ichibata Department Store, Matsue)
National Painting Women's Exhibition (Ginza Surugadai Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo) until 2023
2013 Kokugakai New Members Exhibition (Ginza Inoue Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo)
2019 Koji Ogawa and Yoko Sekine Two-person Exhibition (Gallery Pictor, Kamakura, Kanagawa)
2020 HOPE Exhibition (Gallery Pictor, Kamakura, Kanagawa)
2021 Amusement Exhibition, scheduled to be exhibited until 2025 (Ginza Gallery Himawari, Ginza, Tokyo)
2023 FU-FU Exhibition Koji Ogawa x Yoko Sekine (Ginza Gallery Azuma, Ginza, Tokyo)
Currently a member of the Kokugakai and a lecturer at Yokohama Seifu High School.

About "Resol Gallery Ueno"
Resol Gallery Ueno, an art gallery located in the living lobby of Hotel Resol Ueno, exhibits a variety of art by up-and-coming artists that embody their passion and skills.
The artistic experience unique to Ueno, a city of academia, offers travelers a spice that is different from a simple hotel stay.
The gallery alternates between special and permanent exhibitions every other month, providing new discoveries and opportunities for growth every time you visit.

[About the special exhibition]
"Resol Gallery Ueno" provides a free gallery space for up-and-coming artists to exhibit their work.
"Works that evoke images of travel, travelers, or travel destinations," "Works that evoke images of downtown culture, customs, and history," "Works that exude an academic atmosphere," "Works that soothe the viewer's soul and inspire new discoveries," etc. We will create opportunities for customers to encounter a variety of works.

<Contact information for those interested in exhibiting>
Tel: 03-5325-9269 (Contact: Ito)
Email: ka.ito@resol.jp

[About the permanent exhibition]

(From left)
The Sun and the Moon (2020, Keita Shimizu, acrylic paint on wooden panel, set of 2)
Panda (2020 Masaru Ishikawa and Keita Shimizu, acrylic paint on resin figure)
EDO, rotated 90° (2020 Keita Shimizu, printed on canvas)
Ueno (2020 Keita Shimizu, acrylic paint on wooden panel)

Profile: Keita Shimizu
Designer, design consultant
Born in Tokyo in 1974.
After graduating from the Master's program at the Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, he began working as a designer based in Milan.
His inclusive designs, born from the global values he developed during his childhood in the United States and his life as a designer in Italy, have been highly praised both at home and abroad. He also handles concept development and corporate design for companies.

Overview of "Hotel Resol Ueno"
◇Location: 7-2-9 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access: 1 minute walk from JR Ueno Station, Asakusa Exit or Iriya Exit
◇Structure: Steel frame [10 floors above ground]
◇Number of rooms: 115 rooms [107 Modernettes (semi-double) / 8 Twin rooms]
◇Official website: https://www.resol-hotel.jp/ueno/

[Resol Co., Ltd.] Press release

Article provided by: Kokosil Ueno

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Ueno Royal Museum

It has been decided that the traveling exhibition “The Great Van Gogh Exhibition” (sponsored by Sankei Shimbun and others), which brings together masterpieces by the painter Vincent van Gogh (1853-90), will be held at the Ueno Royal Museum in Taito Ward, Tokyo. Masterpieces from the Kröller-Muller Museum in the Netherlands, which boasts one of the world’s leading collections of Van Gogh’s works, will be exhibited in two parts.
【Official website】 https://grand-van-gogh.com/

 

This exhibition will travel in two parts, starting in Kobe and then Fukushima and Tokyo. It was planned as a project to mark the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in Kobe and the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake in Fukushima.

The highlight of the first period is “Café Terrace at Night,” which will be shown in Japan for the first time in about 20 years. In addition, about 60 works by Van Gogh, including “Self-Portrait,” from his early Dutch period to his time in Arles, when he produced many masterpieces, will be on display, as well as masterpieces by contemporary Impressionist masters such as Claude Monet and Auguste Renoir from the museum’s collection.
The highlight of the second phase, showcasing his career from his time in Arles to his later years, is The Drawbridge at Arles, known as a Dutch treasure, which will tour to Tokyo in 2027.

“Café terrace at night”
This masterpiece depicts a cafe terrace in a square in the southern French city of Arles. The vivid contrast between the evening darkness and the cafe lights is stunning, with flat colors and dynamic brushstrokes.

The Drawbridge at Arles
Along with “Café Terrace at Night,” this is one of Vincent Van Gogh’s greatest masterpieces. It is considered a national treasure of the Netherlands and is rarely loaned outside the country, so this is the first time it has been shown in Japan in about 70 years. The impressive blue of the sky and water demonstrates Vincent Van Gogh’s skilled technique.

■Kröller-Muller Museum This museum is located in De Hoge Veluwe National Park in the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands. It houses and exhibits one of the world’s greatest collections of Van Gogh’s works, including approximately 90 oil paintings and 180 drawings.

■ “The Great Van Gogh Exhibition” Tokyo Venue Overview Venue: Ueno Royal Museum (1-2 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Period: 1st period/May 29, 2026 (Friday) to August 12, 2026 (Wednesday)
Second period: October 2027 to January 2028 (to be announced after the period is finalized)
Organized by: Sankei Shimbun, TBS, TBS Gloudia, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, The Ueno Royal Museum

Tour Information 1st Period Kobe Venue: Kobe City Museum September 20, 2025 (Sat) – February 1, 2026 (Sun)
Fukushima Venue: Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art February 21st (Sat) – May 10th (Sun), 2026

Second Kobe venue: Kobe City Museum February to May 2027 (to be announced once the event is confirmed)
Fukushima Venue: Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art June 19th (Sat) – September 26th (Sun) 2027

 

[Sankei Shimbun] Press release

Article provided by: Kokosil Ueno

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National Museum of Nature and Science

The National Museum of Nature and Science will hold a special exhibition “Alpine Plants – The Diversity of Unreachable Flowers and the Connection of Life” from Tuesday, July 30th to Monday, November 4th, 2024 (holiday), as detailed below.
[Detailed URL: https://www.kahaku.go.jp/event/2024/07alpineplants/ ]

The diverse forms and ecology of alpine plants that adorn the mountains in summer, as well as their connections with other living things, are introduced through numerous specimens and other materials, along with scientific knowledge. The museum also explains the current critical situation of alpine plants and conservation efforts. Learn about the diversity of alpine plants and experience their charm through powerful images and a immersive exhibition hall.

Event summary

Special exhibition “Alpine plants – the diversity of unattainable flowers and the connections between life”

[Location] National Museum of Nature and Science (Ueno Park, Tokyo)
Japan Pavilion 1st floor Special Exhibition Room and Central Hall (until September 1st)

[Event period] July 30th (Tuesday) to November 4th (Monday, closed), 2024 (Reiwa 6)

[Opening hours] 9:00-17:00 * Until 18:00 from August 10th (Sat) to August 15th (Thu) * Admission is available until 30 minutes before each closing time

[Closed] Mondays (Tuesdays if Monday is a public holiday)
*However, the museum will be open on August 5th (Monday), 13th (Tuesday), 19th (Monday), 26th (Monday), and October 7th (Monday).

[Admission fee] Adults and university students: 630 yen (510 yen for groups), high school students and younger and those aged 65 and older: Free *This exhibition can be viewed with the admission fee for the permanent exhibition only *Groups of 20 or more people *For details on admission, please see our website
https://www.kahaku.go.jp/

[Organizer] National Museum of Nature and Science [Sponsor] Montbell [Cooperation] Iwate University Faculty of Agriculture Agricultural Education Museum, Ministry of the Environment, Omachi City Mountain Museum, Sugawa Chonosuke Memorial Association, Nagano Prefecture Environmental Conservation Research Institute, Japan Association of Botanical Gardens, Hakubakan, Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden, Hokkaido University Botanical Garden and Museum, Hokkaido University Archives, Postal Museum

 

・Exhibition introduction

Chapter 1: What are alpine plants? <br />First, we will introduce the characteristics of alpine plants, including their morphology and ecology. Plants that live in harsh alpine environments have developed a variety of survival strategies to adapt to the environment. Furthermore, alpine plants occupy an important position in the alpine ecosystem and live in close association with other organisms, and we will introduce some examples of this.

Chapter 2: The diversity of Japan’s alpine plants <br />The Japanese archipelago is long from north to south and is very undulating. It has climates ranging from subtropical to subarctic, and is home to a truly diverse range of plants. In particular, from central Honshu to Hokkaido, areas where alpine plants grow are scattered like islands. Furthermore, in areas with special geology, there are many endemic species that grow only in certain places, further enriching the diversity of Japan’s alpine plants.

Chapter 3: Research on Alpine Plants <br />This chapter introduces research on alpine plants, focusing on people involved in early research in Japan and representative mountain regions. Please look at valuable specimens, documents, photographs, etc. Furthermore, as research into the diversity of alpine plants has made great progress in recent years, this chapter will also introduce the results of that research and new initiatives.

Chapter 4: The current state of alpine plants and efforts to protect their diversity <br />The wonderful diversity of alpine plants is in grave danger. Changes are already occurring in alpine vegetation due to the effects of climate change. Many flower fields have disappeared due to damage caused by deer. In response to this situation, attempts are being made to protect and restore vegetation in native habitats. Additionally, at places such as Tsukuba Botanical Garden, conservation efforts are being made outside of their native habitat, focusing on endangered species.

Chapter 5 How to Enjoy Alpine Plants <br />After learning about alpine plants through this exhibition, be sure to go out and observe them. We will introduce some recommended spots in Japan where you can observe alpine plants. Also, if you travel overseas, you can enjoy fantastical alpine plants that cannot be seen in Japan. We will also introduce things to keep in mind when observing plants. Enjoy alpine plants from various angles.

 

・Exhibition Supervisor

Plant Diversity Analysis and Conservation Group, Plant Research Department, Research Director
Yoshinori Murai

His fields of expertise are plant science, chemical ecology, and environmental adaptability. He mainly studies alpine plants, focusing on the diversity and functions of their chemical components, as well as their environmental adaptability mechanisms. He also serves as collection manager for the Specimen Resource Center, and cultivates over 100 species of alpine plants he has collected at the Tsukuba Botanical Garden, while also working on ex situ conservation, such as developing methods for cultivating and propagating endangered species.

 

[Agency for Cultural Affairs] Press Release

Article provided by: Kokosil Ueno

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National Museum of Nature and Science

The National Museum of Nature and Science will be holding a KAHKA NEWS exhibition, “Marimo in our homes!? – An investigation into marimo found in household aquariums,” from Wednesday, July 17th to Sunday, September 1st, 2024.

The press release issued by the museum on March 27th of this year, “Motosumarimimo found again, growing only in aquariums in private homes,” was widely covered by many media outlets. The museum’s researchers called for information on similar cases through newspapers and television coverage, which also received a great response, and information was sent to the museum from all over Japan, and actual samples that appeared to be “Marimo” were also sent. Analysis revealed that these samples contained not only Motosumarimimo, but all Marimo species known in Japan (5 taxonomic groups), and various new knowledge was gained. In addition to displaying the aquariums, the museum will introduce the Marimo species, display a list of photos of aquariums where Marimo were found from all over the country, and introduce the research on Marimo that the museum’s researchers have conducted at the Fuji Five Lakes.

[Event period] Wednesday, July 17th to Sunday, September 1st, 2024
[Venue] National Museum of Nature and Science (7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo) 1st floor open space in the Global Gallery [Organizer] National Museum of Nature and Science

 

Exhibition Overview

The exhibition consists of three zones:

① Marimo’s friends <br />In this survey, we found all of the Marimo’s friends (5 taxonomic groups) that have been known in Japan until now. We will introduce their characteristics with illustrations.

② Scenery with Marimo <br />After the second case of Motosu Marimo was found this year, the museum called on various media for information about marimo in aquariums, and received 46 pieces of information. Of these, 26 people sent samples, which were examined by the museum, and it was found that all five groups of marimo had been found in home aquariums. Until the beginning of this year, there had only been two reported cases in Japan, but in less than three months, over 20 cases have been reported. Many new findings have also been obtained, such as the discovery of Tateyama Marimo, which is thought to have originated from a spring-fed area in Tokyo.

③ Marimo research at our museum <br />Our museum’s research into marimo began in 1956 (Showa 31) when Yoshinari Kameda, a third-grader at the time, collected and cultivated marimo from Yamanakako Village, which were then brought to our museum 50 years later. This story was published in a picture book titled “Marimo of Mt. Fuji” (Fukuinkan Shoten). This prompted a joint academic research into marimo in Lake Yamanaka between our museum and the Yamanakako Village Board of Education in 2013. Following the discovery of Motosu Marimo in Kofu in 2022, Kawasaki in 2024, and this time in the aquarium, we have now begun research into the entire Fuji Five Lakes region, as well as river research in the Kanto area.

【Related information】 press release Motosu Marimo was found again, only growing in an aquarium in a private home (March 27, 2024) https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000746.000047048.html press release A third species of marimo has been discovered in Japan! It has been named Motosu Marimo (November 10, 2022) https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000523.000047048.html press release Publication of “Marimo of Lake Yamanaka (Report on the Survey of Fuji Marimo Habitat in Lake Yamanaka Village)” – Lake Yamanaka’s Marimo once again show a declining trend – is global warming the cause? – (March 31, 2021) https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000232.000047048.html Homepage: The world of small things https://www.kahaku.go.jp/research/db/botany/microalgae/microalgal_kids/

 

[Agency for Cultural Affairs] Press Release

Article provided by: Kokosil Ueno

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