Mel Chin Delivers Opening Lecture for 12th Hiroshima Art Prize Exhibition at Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
On July 25, 2026, Mel Chin, the renowned artist, presented a lecture at the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art as part of his exhibition titled "The 12th Hiroshima Art Prize: Mel Chin," which will be displayed until October 12, 2026. This exhibition, curated by Motoko Suhama, marks Chin's debut solo showcase in Japan. In 2024, he was honored with the Hiroshima Art Prize for his artistic contributions to peace. During his talk, Chin reflected on his 1988 lecture in New York, mentioning key influences such as Elaine Scarry and Homer. He also discussed notable works like Shape of a Lie (2006), Bat and Dove (2007), Cross for the Unforgiven (2002), and Our Strange Flower of Democracy (2005). The lecture was produced in collaboration with ART iT, the artist, and the museum.
Key facts
- The 12th Hiroshima Art Prize: Mel Chin exhibition is on view at the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art from July 25 to October 12, 2026, in Gallery B.
- Mel Chin received the 12th Hiroshima Art Prize in 2024; the prize was established by the City of Hiroshima in 1989 and is awarded every three years.
- The exhibition is Chin's first solo show in Japan and is curated by Motoko Suhama.
- Chin delivered the opening lecture on July 25, 2026, in the Museum Studio, the first day of the exhibition.
- In the lecture, Chin described his first New York talk at the New School for Social Research, where he created Lecture Ax (1988) and smashed it into a wall after drinking beer.
- Chin cited Elaine Scarry's The Body in Pain and Homer's Odyssey as influences on his concept that objects can be loaded with ideas.
- Works discussed include Shape of a Lie (2006), Bat and Dove (2007), Cross for the Unforgiven (2002), Terrapine Carolina (Hillbilly Armor) (2005), and Our Strange Flower of Democracy (2005).
- Cross for the Unforgiven is made from eight welded AK-47s, and Terrapine Carolina (Hillbilly Armor) was inspired by Donald Rumsfeld's December 8, 2004, statement to Specialist Thomas Wilson.
Entities
Artists
- Mel Chin
- Elaine Scarry
- Homer
- Henry Moore
- Giovanni Battista Piranesi
- Yves Klein
- Donald Rumsfeld
- Thomas Wilson
- Socrates
Institutions
- Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
- City of Hiroshima
- New School for Social Research
- ART iT
- Cannes Film Festival
- Tennessee Army National Guard
- U.S. Army
- PSYOP
- Hiroshima Art Prize
Locations
- Hiroshima
- Japan
- New York City
- United States
- Houston
- Texas
- Vietnam
- Afghanistan
- Melanesian islands
- Vanuatu
- Jerusalem
- Athens