BIENNALS:Yokohama Triennale 2017
Today, as numerous international art events are held throughout the world, the Yokohama Triennal, since its inauguration in 2001 has addr ssed the relationship between Japan and the world, and theindividual and society, and reexamined the social role of art from a variety of perspectives, in response to a world in constant flux.
By Efi Michalarou
Under the title of “Islands, Constellations and Galapagos”, the 6th Yokohama Triennale aims to open up possibilities for discussion around various issues such as isolation and connectivity, imagination and guidance, distinctness and diversity, among others. The concept of the Triennale seeks to consider ways in which to shape a better future in light of our current times of uncertainty, and to engage people across the world with imagination and creativity. Carefully selected artists are featured like a constellation of small solo exhibitions, the participating artists include: Ai Weiwei, Olafur Eliasson and Maurizio Cattelan, as well as Wael Shawky, who is introduced to Japan in full-scale for the first time. The exhibition also includes a novel collaboration by four artists: Carsten Höller, Tobias Rehberger, Anri Sala, and Rirkrit Tiravanija, and also new works by Ozawa Tsuyoshi. This edition of the Yokohama Triennale aims to examine the diverse issues we face today in a multidisciplinary fashion, drawing ideas from various perspectives closely tied to the overall theme, including “connectivity” and “isolation”. One aspect of this will be a conscious focus on the historical background of Yokohama, which may seem at first glance to be unrelated to contemporary art. 2017 marks the 150th year since the return of political power to the Emperor in 1867, which signified the collapse of the feudal system and the beginning of Japanʼs drastic modernization. With the restoration of Imperial sovereignty, Japan ceased to be a nation ruled by samurai, and the new Meiji Period of rapid change began. One major factor contributing to this change was the opening of Japanʼs ports to overseas trade during the Ansei Era after over centuries of enforced seclusion. The village of Yokohama, which had been no more than an impoverished hamlet during the Edo Period was one of the new trading ports that opened in 1859, and its infrastructure rapidly developed. Inevitably, as a new international crossroads of trade, people, and culture, Yokohama became one of the cities leading Japan on its dramatic march away from Galapagos-like isolation, toward connectivity with the world, and eventually to modernization. The selection as venues of historic buildings in the city that symbolize Japanʼs modernization, and the inclusion of artists that address Yokohamaʼs historical record and topography, is also based on that viewpoint, as is our identification and introduction of several historical sites and facilities near the venue that seem to resonate deeply with the theme of this Triennale. Participating Artists: Ai Weiwei, Aoyama Satoru, Joko Avianto, Broomberg & Chanarin, Maurizio Cattelan, Ian Cheng, Dong Yuan, Sam Durant, Olafur Eliasson, Alex Hartley, Hatakeyama Naoya, Carsten Höller, Tobias Rehberger, Anri Sala & Rirkrit Tiravanija, Jenny Holzer, Christian Jankowski, Mark Justiniani, Kawakubo Yoi, Kazama Sachiko, Kinoshita Susumu, Ragnar Kjartansson, Konishi Toshiyuki, Map Office, Prabhavathi Meppayil, Mr., Ozawa Tsuyoshi, Katie Paterson, Paola Pivi, Kathy Prendergast, Rob Pruitt, Anne Samat, Seo Natsumi, Wael Shawky, Shooshie Sulaiman, Terunuma Atsuro, The Propeller Group – Tuan Andrew Nguyen, Tatiana Trouvé, UJINO, Yanagi Yukinori and Zhao Zhao.
Info: Directors: Osaka Eriko, Miki and Kashaiwagi Tomoh, Main Venues: Yokohama Museum of ART, 3-4-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse No.1, 1-1-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama and Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall (Basement), 1-6 Hon-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Duration: 4/8-5/11/17 (Closed Aug. 10, 24 / Sep. 14, 28 / Oct. 12, 26),Days & Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (Open 10:00-20:30 on Oct. 27, 28, 29 / Nov. 2, 3, 4), Admission: Adults: 1,500-1800 JPY, University and College Students: 900-1200 JPY, High School Students: 500-800 JPY, Junior High School Students, Children & Persons with disabilities and their Caretakers: Free, www.yokohamatriennale.jp
