Warehouse TERRADA operates not only PIGMENT TOKYO but also manages various art-related facilities in Tennoz Isle, including WHAT MUSEUM, WHAT CAFE and TERRADA ART COMPLEX.
This time, WHAT MUSEUM and PIGMENT TOKYO organized a collaborative event, "Exploring Contemporary Art - Suminagashi Workshop and Museum Tour".
WHAT MUSEUM is currently holding the exhibition "Open Creation of Art: 'Immerse yourself in the transitory nature' by Masayoshi NOJO," which runs from April 28 to August 27, 2023. This exhibition features Nojo's "Links" from his latest series, "Evergreen," as well as a selection of his representative works.
In conjunction with this exhibition, WHAT MUSEUM and PIGMENT TOKYO have organized an event together titled "Exploring Contemporary Art - Suminagashi Workshop and Museum Tour".
This unique event takes place in Tennoz Isle, a city known for its artistic atmosphere. Participants will have the opportunity to attend a workshop led by Nojo at PIGMENT TOKYO and tour WHAT MUSEUM with both the artist and the exhibition planner present.
This event began with a Suminagashi workshop led by Nojo. Suminagashi is a traditional technique that involves creating marbling patterns by dropping Sumi ink or other colors on the surface of the water and then transferring those designs onto paper.
This technique originally served as an Imperial court game, where participants delighted in the ever-changing patterns formed by the ink on the surface of a moving river.
Although it is slightly different from Suminagashi (Japanese ink marbling) by definition, Nojo incorporates marbling techniques with acrylic emulsion in his artworks. One of the strengths of PIGMENT TOKYO is that we allow our visitors to experience the knowledge shared by artists gained from their actual production processes.
The following photos show him demonstrating the technique.
Nojo began by adding a solution and dish detergent to an aluminum tray filled with water to create a wave pattern. Using bamboo skewers, he then formed random ripple patterns. Finally, by gently placing a piece of paper on the water's surface, the patterns were transferred onto the paper.
Using Sumi ink and colored ink
After the lecture, all participants had the opportunity to try the Suminagashi technique using colors of their choice. Each person produced a variety of colors and patterns, and since the process is very straightforward, making it refreshing and enjoyable for both adults and children.
Making patterns in the aluminum tray.
Picking up the paper from the aluminum tray. The result is a mystery until we flip the paper.
These are framed pieces after drying. Various expressions are possible, from organic wave patterns reminiscent of minerals to the fine lines that evoke Kimono designs.
With the frames, the pieces appear even more stunning and beautiful.
After the Suminagashi workshop, a museum tour was given at WHAT MUSEUM.
The tour included the "ART de Cha Cha Cha− Exploring the DNA of Japanese Contemporary Art −” from the Takahashi Ryutaro Collection and "Open Creation of Art: 'Immerse yourself in the transitory nature' by Masayoshi NOJO".
Along with his solo exhibition, Nojo explained his works. Participants were listening attentively since it was a rare opportunity to hear about artworks from the artist himself.
Masayoshi Nojo talking about his signature work, the "Mirage" series.
Finally, Mr. Alexander Nakahashi, the curator of the exhibition, talked about the Takahashi Ryutaro Collection, "ART de Cha Cha Cha− Exploring the DNA of Japanese Contemporary Art −.”
The Takahashi Ryutaro Collection is a contemporary art collection started in earnest in 1997 by psychiatrist Ryutaro Takahashi, one of Japan's foremost art collectors, and currently owns over 3,000 works. Among his collections, artworks by Keizaburo Okamura, Tomoko Konoike, Kishio Suga, Akira Yamaguchi and Tadanori Yokoo were exhibited.
Nakahashi explaning Hiroki Tashiro’s piece “炎天華”
The event was a great success and even when the event was over, many questions like how the exhibition was created were brought up and discussed.
Although this event was held only for a limited time, PIGMENT TOKYO plans to hold more exciting workshops in the future.
Please click the following link to find a workshop that interests you.
https://pigment.tokyo/en/collections/workshop
Event Information
"Explore Contemporary Japanese Art - Suminagashi Experience and Museum Tour"
(*This event has ended.)
Date：July 28, 2023 (Friday)
Venue：PIGMENT TOKYO
Time: 14:00-17:00
Instructor: Masayoshi Nojo
Fee: ¥8,000 (tax included)
Exhibition Title: Masayoshi NOJO "Immerse yourself in the transitory nature".
Exhibition: "ART de Cha Cha Cha− Exploring the DNA of Japanese Contemporary Art −” from the Takahashi Ryutaro Collection
Dates: April 28, 2023 (Fri) - August 27, 2023 (Sun)
Venue: WHAT MUSEUM
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 11:00 - 18:00 (last admission 17:00), closed on Mondays (if Monday is a national holiday, closed the following Tuesday)
Admission: General admission: JPY1,500, college/university students: JPY800, high school students and younger: free
*Online ticket system
* Includes admission to concurrent exhibitions.
*Passports that allow unlimited admission during the exhibition period are available
WHAT MUSEUM PASSPORT 2,000 yen
The Museum "ARCHI-DEPOT" has over 600 architectural models entrusted by architects and design firms, some of which are exhibited for the public.
Fee: 700 yen for admission to the ARCHI-DEPOT, 2,000 yen for a set ticket (admission to the main exhibition + admission to the ARCHI-DEPOT)
Art Materials Expert at PIGMENT TOKYO
Akira Oya
Born in 1989 in Tokyo. Master of Fine Art and Design at Nihon University College of Art.
He also continues his career as a visual artist.
Born in 1989 in Tokyo. Master of Fine Art and Design at Nihon University College of Art.
He also continues his career as a visual artist.