Situated in Tokyo's vibrant heart atop the Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills, the Mori Art Museum is a cultural icon since its inception in October 2003. Its visionary mission goes beyond redefining urban landscapes; it serves as a hub for cultural discourse, offering vibrant experiences and educational programs for diverse audiences.
Local Roots, Global Wings: Bridging Cultures through Art
Rooted in Japan and East Asia, the museum acts as a global platform, nurturing East Asian artistry while connecting local narratives to a global stage. Its mission extends beyond borders, presenting cutting-edge visual arts, architecture, and design with a focus on contemporary and international perspectives.
Art + Life: Enriching Society through Creativity
At its core, the Mori Art Museum envisions a society where art seamlessly integrates into everyday life, contributing to the enrichment of a vibrant and well-rounded community. The director emphasizes the museum's role as the "Cultural Heart of a City," extending its influence beyond physical confines through diverse exhibitions and learning programs.
Contemporary Art: A Tapestry of Diversity
In a world marked by challenges, contemporary art at the Mori Art Museum becomes a microcosm of diversity, encouraging encounters with unknown worlds and celebrating the richness of differences. The museum actively collaborates on a global scale, uniting artistic forces and contributing to the vitality of the contemporary art world.
Our Ecology: Art, Activism, and Sustainable Vision
The Mori Art Museum currently presents "Our Ecology: Toward a Planetary Living," a groundbreaking exhibition addressing the global environmental crisis shaped by humanity's impact since the industrial revolution. With contributions from 34 artists worldwide, the exhibition unfolds across four chapters, exploring the intricate relationship between human activity and the environment:
• All Is Connected: This chapter initiates a dialogue, delving into the complex interweaving of ecosystems with human endeavors.
• Return to Earth: Revisiting Japan's 1950s-1980s, this chapter explores the environmental repercussions of rapid economic growth.
• The Great Acceleration: Shedding light on humanity's exploitation of Earth's resources while presenting a glimmer of hope.
• The Future Is within Us: Tackling today's discussions on potential futures, incorporating ancient and cutting-edge technologies.
At its core, "Our Ecology" questions humanity's role and custodianship of the Earth's environment, urging viewers to contemplate environmental issues from a comprehensive standpoint. The exhibition embodies sustainability, minimizing transport and maximizing resource reuse and recycling.
Exploring contemporary art's transformative potential in addressing the global environmental crisis, the exhibition decodes concepts, metaphors, materials, and production processes in works by 34 artists, seeking to raise awareness and envision a more sustainable future.
Curated by Bert Winther-Tamaki, Chapter 2, "Return to Earth - Art & Ecology in Japan, 1950s-1980s," unveils Japan's artistic response to environmental challenges, addressing pollution and radioactive contamination during critical decades.
The exhibition prioritizes artists over transported works, fostering interpersonal networks and bonds. Over half the gallery space is dedicated to newly commissioned works, emphasizing the ecological value of human connections.
"Our Ecology" showcases art that repurposes everyday materials, demonstrating innovative approaches like Jef Geys' pressed weeds protocol, Kate Newby's Roppongi-to-Ginza journey installation, and Daniel Turner's use of a discarded Japanese chemical freighter instrument. Yasura Takeshi juxtaposes slag and marble, while Nina Canell transforms trampled seashells into raw material for cement.
Exemplifying environmental consciousness, the exhibition's design incorporates recycled display walls, avoids painted finishes, and utilizes the world's first 100% recyclable plasterboard. Construction components made from recycled materials and the reuse of various resources underscore the commitment to a sustainable showcase.
"Our Ecology: Toward a Planetary Living", which is open to the public until the end of March 2024, invites visitors to witness the convergence of art, activism, and environmental consciousness, challenging us to envision a harmonious future shaped by artistic expression and sustainable practices.
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Words by AW.
Photos courtesy of Mori Art Museum and Nick Ash.