Whenever I am in Tokyo, there seems to be an odd global synergy where all kinds of events happen at the same time, and there are always lots of gaijin like me in attendance. This trip is not different, there are so many Tenjikais (exhibitions) happening, and Halloween night was especially busy. I started the day off with a trip to Carnival to work on Usa’s bike which he was nice enough to lend me for my whole trip (thanks again bro!). I bumped into Yohei at Wbase, where the crew was getting heading down to Kyoto Loco for the big messenger race/event.
That evening Shimpei-san from Nike invited me to the Hi-Lo opening, an art show curated by Hiroshi Fujiwara, it was a full-house. I finally got to see some of Jose Parla’s recent work in real life! I first met Jose in NYC through our mutual friend Ro, and both were in Vancouver a couple years ago for their friend Adam’s wedding – Jose (aka EASE) threw down a couple mean pages in my blackbook, it’s great to see his transition into the world of “fine art.”
The photos don’t do justice, as with all art openings, it’s hard to get some decent shots! There was a very good representation of current works by a number of great artists: Damien Hirst, Mark Gonzales, Wolfgang Tillmans, Takeshi Murakami, etc…We went to Nike TDS in Nakameguro for a party afterwards, but didn’t have enough juice to make it to the Claska 5 year anniversary, nor the Wax Poetics Japan launch party.
There are also alot of brands showing for Spring/Summer 2009. I dropped in at our friend’s exhibition to check out the new Nonnative collection. An impressive selection as usual, their exhibition space was interesting as well, an old warehouse/factory converted into a cafe. The best part was the huge “Wandering Man” flower installation. Takayuki designs the garments for Nonnative, he looks tired because he produced over 150 pieces, otsukare!
My friend Taro Mizutani also came through – he is an amazing photographer who worked in Vancouver a couple summers ago to shoot a piece for Huge magazine. I love that he still uses a vintage field camera, I don’t know how he lugs that equipment around.
Tenjikai season also means alot of eating and drinking – well, actually more drinking with a bit of food on the side. Takeshi took us out for some robata/izakaya, we ordered gindara and I was happy to see this huge filet arrive on our table (in Vancouver, the gindara is usually, what, maybe a tenth the size of this bad boy?)!!!
