Olympic Agora and Casa Italia: Contemporary Art at the Tokyo Olympics
The Tokyo Olympics are showcasing two cultural projects that intertwine art and athletics. One of these, the Olympic Agora in Nihonbashi, features installations from global artists, such as Xavier Veilhan's permanent piece 'The Audience,' which pays tribute to fans. Veilhan refers to the spectators as the 'missing star' of the event. Other contributors include Rinko Kawauchi and Makoto Tojiki. IOC President Thomas Bach praised the Agora for blending sport with culture. Meanwhile, Casa Italia, curated by Ex Elettrofonica, carries on a legacy from past Olympics. Situated in The Kihinkan, it delves into 'Mirabilia' through various artworks and design pieces, with an acoustic bell reciting Erri de Luca's poem 'Considero Valore.'
Key facts
- Olympic Agora is a cultural hub in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district for the 2020 Olympics.
- Xavier Veilhan's permanent sculpture 'The Audience' features five life-sized figures of diverse ages, genders, and nationalities.
- Veilhan represented France at the 2017 Venice Biennale.
- Other artists include Rinko Kawauchi, Makoto Tojiki, and Moment Factory.
- IOC President Thomas Bach praised the fusion of sport and culture.
- Casa Italia is curated by Ex Elettrofonica gallery (Benedetta Acciari and Beatrice Bertini).
- Casa Italia is located at The Kihinkan – Takanawa Manor House.
- Theme is 'Mirabilia' (wonder), referencing Wunderkammer.
Entities
Artists
- Xavier Veilhan
- Rinko Kawauchi
- Makoto Tojiki
- Moment Factory
- Bonotto
- Alberto Garutti
- Elisa Sighicelli
- Goldschmied & Chiari
- Ornaghi e Prestinari
- Adelaide Cioni
- Matteo Nasini
- Luca Bertolo
- Giuseppe Gallo
- Elena Mazzi
- Giuseppe de Mattia
- Loris Cecchini
- Luca Trevisani
- Flavio Favelli
- Pietro Ruffo
- Campana brothers
- Jacopo Foggini
- Francesco Binfarrè
- Matteo Thun
- Jaime Hayon
- Patricia Urquiola
- Hillsideout
- Michele Balestra
- Tokujin Yoshioka
- Nipa Doshi
- Jonathan Levien
- Miguel Arruda
- Silvia Stella Osella
- Gio Tirotto
- Leftover
- Erri de Luca
- Benedetta Acciari
- Beatrice Bertini
- Thomas Bach
- Pierre de Coubertin
- Plato
- Aristotle
Institutions
- Olympic Agora
- Casa Italia
- Ex Elettrofonica
- International Olympic Committee (IOC)
- Edra
- Ethimo
- Bosa
- Glasitalia
- Slamp
- The Kihinkan – Takanawa Manor House
- CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee)
- Artribune
Locations
- Tokyo
- Japan
- Nihonbashi
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brazil
- Pyeongchang
- South Korea
- Cortina d'Ampezzo
- Italy
- Rome
- France
- Venice