TOKAS-Emerging 2019 part 2 at TOKAS Hongo

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space is an art center dedicated to the creation and promotion of contemporary art in Tokyo. TOKAS was established in 2001 under the name Tokyo Wonder Site. Tokyo Wonder Site changed its name to Tokyo Arts and Space in 2017. since 2001, TOKAS has been implementing various programs to support up-and-coming artists and experimental art projects.

TOKAS-Emerging is an open call for Japanese artists under the age of 35, and this time six artists were selected. The first part of TOKAS-Emerging will be held from July 20 to August 18, and the second part will be held from August 31 to September 29.

See Part 2 in detail - Ashikawa Mizuki, Naoki Miyasaka, Hojo Tomoko

TOKAS has two venues: TOKAS Hongo, which is mainly used for art projects and exhibitions, and TOKAS Residency, a residence for artists.

The TOKAS Hongo building is a three-story building, and each of the three artists had their own independent space. The artists can present their works as solo exhibitions.

On the first floor was Mizuki Ashikawa's work, which consisted mainly of lithographs and other prints. The feature of this exhibition was the well-structured display. From large size works to small works such as 80x50mm, they were installed in a rhythmic flow.

The motifs are based on the scenery that I encountered while walking around my neighborhood. In particular, this time she is showing works inspired by her visit to TOKAS Hongo. The reason why her works were exhibited was because they were based on her understanding of the space and were displayed in accordance with the rhythm of the space.

On the second floor, there is an exhibition by Naoki Miyasaka The Three Spaces. s exhibition is held on the second floor. Miyasaka is an artist who researches the concept of space that can be altered by human perception, and she uses the entire exhibition space as her work. In this exhibition, three spaces are presented to capture the various concepts of space that arise from changes in human perception.

Sound artist Hojo Tomoko lives and works on the third floor. She mainly creates installations and sound works. In her solo exhibition "Sotto Voce", she focuses on the various perceptions of Yoko Ono in history and the mass media. While there are many descriptions of Yoko Ono as an artist, John Lennon's wife, scandalous woman, etc., Hojo visualizes these recorded perceptions and presents how the individual is subjectivized.

On Space and Programs - TOKAS-Emerging

I was impressed by the fact that the exhibition was held in an interesting three-story building, as if the artists were having a solo exhibition. While there are many open calls for artists to support group exhibitions, TOKAS-Emerging was interesting in the way it gave the artists an opportunity for a solo exhibition. Young artists don't have many opportunities to have a solo exhibition, so I think the way TOKAS supports them is helping them. I felt that they support artists greatly not only in the evaluation of the award itself, but also in a practical way.

TOKAS-Emerging 2019 part 2

• Dates: Saturday, August 31, 2019 - Sunday, September 29, 2019
• Time: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Closed: September 2 (Mon), 9 (Mon), 17 (Tue), 24 (Tue)
• Free admission.

Article written by: Jeongeun Jo
Born in Korea, lives in Japan. She is one of the members of TRiCERA who graduated from the Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts. She is also an artist herself.