Weekly News Roundup: Hirshhorn Garden, Villa Romana Prize, Tokyo Jazz Club, Praemium Imperiale, Contemporary Istanbul
On October 31, 2026, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden will unveil its sculpture garden, designed by Hiroshi Sugimoto, following a four-year renovation costing $68 million. This project will enhance the space by 50%, accommodating 60 sculptures amid over 30,000 plants. Melissa Chiu, who resigned as director on August 31, described this as the most substantial redesign since 1974. The Villa Romana Prize has selected Arijit Bhattacharyya, Stephanie Comilang, Li Yong Xiang, and Ligia Lewis as fellows for 2027. From November 1–8, 2026, during Art Week Tokyo, the Basel Social Club will introduce the Tokyo Jazz Club. On September 8, the Japan Art Association revealed the 2026 Praemium Imperiale laureates. Contemporary Istanbul will celebrate its 21st edition from September 24–27, 2026, showcasing 70 galleries.
Key facts
- Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden opens October 31, 2026, after a four-year, $68 million revitalization by Hiroshi Sugimoto.
- The redesigned garden increases capacity by 50%, displaying 60 sculptures among over 30,000 plants and trees.
- Villa Romana Prize announces 2027 fellows: Arijit Bhattacharyya, Stephanie Comilang, Li Yong Xiang, and Ligia Lewis.
- Basel Social Club launches Tokyo Jazz Club, November 1–8, 2026, in an eight-storey former capsule hotel in Jimbocho.
- Japan Art Association announces 2026 Praemium Imperiale laureates: Jenny Holzer, Andy Goldsworthy, Daniel Libeskind, Herbert Blomstedt, and Cate Blanchett.
- Praemium Imperiale award ceremony will be held in Tokyo on October 28, 2026.
- Contemporary Istanbul's 21st edition runs September 24–27, 2026, at Tersane Istanbul with 70 galleries from 24 countries.
- Contemporary Istanbul introduces Focus: Asia platform, featuring artists Chisato Matsumoto, Sheikh Rashid Al Khalifa, and Jaume Plensa.
Entities
Artists
- Hiroshi Sugimoto
- Melissa Chiu
- Arijit Bhattacharyya
- Stephanie Comilang
- Li Yong Xiang
- Ligia Lewis
- Ulf Aminde
- Kathleen Reinhardt
- Robbie Fitzpatrick
- Yael Salomonowitz
- Jenny Holzer
- Andy Goldsworthy
- Daniel Libeskind
- Herbert Blomstedt
- Cate Blanchett
- Chisato Matsumoto
- Sheikh Rashid Al Khalifa
- Jaume Plensa
- Prince Takamatsu
Institutions
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Smithsonian Institution
- Villa Romana Prize
- Villa Romana
- Basel Social Club
- Tokyo Jazz Club
- Art Week Tokyo
- Japan Art Association
- Praemium Imperiale
- La Source Garouste
- Contemporary Istanbul
- Pearl Lam Projects
- Takato Kano Gallery
- Whitestone Gallery
- Tersane Istanbul
Locations
- Washington, DC
- United States
- Florence
- Italy
- Tokyo
- Japan
- Jimbocho
- Switzerland
- Istanbul
- Turkey
- Bahrain
- Spain