Venice Meets Tokyo: Deutsche Bank Group, Partner of Japan’s Most Important Art Fair Again

Art Fair Tokyo is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Since 2005, the fair has established itself as one of the most important art events in Japan, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the Tokyo International Forum every March. They are offered a wide spectrum of artworks, ranging from centuries-old Japanese and Chinese sculptures and works on paper, to first-rate arts and crafts, to current international positions. Of the some 140 exhibitors, 24 galleries are taking part for the first time. Deutsche Bank Group, which has been a partner of the fair since 2011, is represented at the fair with a booth focused on Koki Tanaka, whose exhibition as “Artist of the Year” 2015 opens at the Deutsche Bank KunstHalle shortly after the Art Fair ends.

Since 2011, one of the highlights of the Art Fair Tokyo has been the special exhibition section entitled Artistic Practices, in which current and historical works enter into dialogue. For the anniversary, two exhibitions are on the agenda. Pop Rimpa/Rimpa Pop shows how the bright colors and nature motifs of the Rimpa school of painting, established 400 years ago, have influenced contemporary artists such as Mika Ninagawa. The Hara Museum is currently devoting a comprehensive show to Ninagawa, sponsored by Deutsche Bank. Alongside Mariko Mori and Tomoko Yoneda, Koki Tanaka is represented in Japanese Contemporary Art at the Venice Biennale, after being shown at the Japanese Pavilion in 2013. His contribution received an honorable mention from the jury. Those who want to see more of the “Artist of the Year” 2015 can take a trip to the old imperial city of Kyoto, where Tanaka was invited to the first edition of the Parasophia art festival.

Art Fair Tokyo 2015
3/20/2015 – 3/22/2015
Tokyo International Forum