Yoshiaki Kaihatsu's Major Survey Exhibition Explores Socially Engaged Practice at Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
This summer, the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo launched a survey of Yoshiaki Kaihatsu's artistic journey, titled 'Yoshiaki Kaihatsu: ART IS LIVE – Welcome to One Person Democracy'. The exhibition showcases approximately 50 pieces that explore democratic participation via social interventions. Known for his disaster response initiatives such as The House of Politicians (2012–) and Daylily Art Circus (2011–14), Kaihatsu also established Cotoba Library (2011–) to safeguard dialects. His earlier works include Shadow (1998) and the 365 Project (1995–96). Featuring interactive components like Vote YES/NO in MOT (2024), the exhibition runs until 10 November, emphasizing participatory art focused on freedom and shared knowledge. Curator Hikari Odaka points out Kaihatsu's focus on both solitary and collective experiences.
Key facts
- Yoshiaki Kaihatsu's major survey exhibition opened at Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo this summer
- The exhibition features about 50 works spanning 30 years of practice
- Kaihatsu built The House of Politicians in 2012 near the Fukushima exclusion zone
- Daylily Art Circus (2011-14) was a traveling exhibition and fundraiser connecting earthquake-affected communities
- Cotoba Library (2011-) preserves dialects and folktales on Google Maps along Japan's Gulf Coast
- 39 Art Day (Thank You Art Day) began in 2001 and now involves over 145 art spaces internationally
- The artist's 365 Project (1995-96) mailed artworks to locations across Japan for year-long displays
- The exhibition includes interactive works like Vote YES/NO in MOT and Speakers' Corner in MOT
Entities
Artists
- Yoshiaki Kaihatsu
- Louise Nevelson
- Osamu Ikeda
- Hikari Odaka
Institutions
- Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
- BankART1929
- Tama Art University
- NHK BS
- Kiel Institute for the World Economy
- Google Maps
- Documenta
- Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale
- Hermès
Locations
- Tokyo
- Japan
- Minamisoma
- Fukushima
- Tohoku
- Aomori
- Yokohama City
- Yamanashi Prefecture
- Chubu region
- New York
- Ground Zero
- World Trade Center
- Kansai
- Canada
- Norway
- Mexico
- United States
- Ukraine
- Yonaguni