Five Must-Visit Exhibitions During Art Week Tokyo
Phung-Tien Phan at Misako & Rosen (until 16 November)
Phung-Tien Phan, a Vietnamese-German artist born in Essen and trained at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, presents sculptures and videos that highlight the social significance of everyday objects. Her work reflects the roles people play in public and private spheres while exploring cultural references that shape our environment. This is her first solo exhibition with the gallery and her debut in Japan. The show features new sculptures made on-site from objects collected in Essen, such as toys and radios, which she wraps in fabric to resemble dumplings. Her diasporic assemblages blend naturally with Misako & Rosen’s informal program, expressing a casual yet thoughtful approach.
Group at Anomaly Gallery
Group is a Tokyo-based artist collective formed in 2005 by members Ryuta Ushiro, Yasutaka Hayashi, Ellie, Masataka Okada, Motomu Inaoka, and Toshinori Mizuno. Known for their satirical and socially engaged guerrilla art, they have gained international recognition and are featured in major museum collections worldwide. Their fourth solo exhibition, A Hole Within a Hole Within a Hole, addresses environmental waste by exploring the concept of holes—from manholes and sewers to the invisible voids filled with space debris.
“Their fourth solo show at the Anomaly gallery, A Hole Within a Hole Within a Hole, explores environmental waste issues through the concept of holes, from manholes and sewers to less visible ones filled with space junk.”
Additional Highlights
- Exhibits include themes of anti-authoritarian flags by Eiki Mori and explorations of human and natural catastrophes.
- The African diaspora is also highlighted as a key cultural theme during the event.
Author’s summary: The exhibitions at Art Week Tokyo showcase artists exploring social, environmental, and cultural themes through innovative, thought-provoking works that engage with everyday life and urgent global issues.