Photo Report: TOKYO FRONTLINE, a new concept art fair #2 at 3331 Arts Chiyoda

3331 Arts Chiyoda, a young venue for contemporary art opened in 2010 , originally a closed junior high school

If you are interested in emerging artists or finding a new talented artists, you can’t miss this art fair called TOKYO FRONTLINE.

TOKYO FRONTLINE is a young art fair which mainly focuses on emerging Japanese artists with future potential.? Started last year, the fair which is in its second edition tries aggressively promoting the artists by developing art products, collaborating with a department store to decorate their show windows or making a TV show which introduces young artists. you can meet the one who has just made its debut to the art fair.

Let’s see the variety of fresh expression earlier than nobody else!

Mitsuo Kim

When I went through the entrance, the first work I saw was this one. It is a photographed scenery, although which is breaking down as if it is pulled down by the gravity. Though TOKYO FRONTLINE is an art fair, this work was not on sale and was even not presented by a gallery, but presented by the fair itself. For the young promising artist like Kim, the fair believes that it is important to rise gallerists or buyers’ attention to the artist first and not just focusing on selling the work. So the artist could find a partner gallerists who will help them to grow up.

Gallery 360° booth. One of Azito’s partner gallery, Gallery 360° was participating in the fair.

Kyoko Nagashima “There -b-“

This work is made by using lenticular lenses that gives us a 3D image. When you approach the work, you will see an illusion of depth. That takes you to another place beyond the wall.
I’m so sorry that I couldn’t show this work as it appears!

Shigeru Moroizumi “℃-1603-1704″

This work is a collection of thermometers. The red liquid goes up and down according to the temperature, as if it were alive!

EMON PHOTO GALLERY booth

Ryo Owada “Wine Collection” series

At the first glance, Ryo Owada “Wine Collection”series are like abstract images. But they are actual vintage wines, shot from outside of the bottle and has been taken out the color of the bottle digitally. The appearance is abstract, but once you heard its story, it suddenly changes its appearance to a concrete object. Very interesting work.

Maki Fine Arts booth

Another Azito’s partner booth showed an impressive exhibition.

Shu Ikeda “The Change of Mind Like Ripple”

detail: “The Change of Mind Like Ripple”

As you approach the work, you will notice that the picture that looked like one sheet is actually a reconstruction of small pieces of photos. The artist cuts a photograph he took, and places each piece like drawing a picture. Since it is placed on a transparent plastic plate the white part is the actual wall behind which you are seeing through.

MEM booth

Kimiyo Mishima “Box-post mailing tube”

This work looks like a real mailing package. But….it’s actually a ceramic! Can you believe this?

gallery deux poissons booth

Etsuko Sonobe “B041″,”B070″,”B071″

This apparently a wall-hanging work is actually a broach. You can enjoy it both as a jewelry and an artwork! Contemporary jewelry is a new style of art that you can wear.

Felieke van der Leest “The J. Russels”

This bracelet exists only 4 editions in the whole world. One of them is preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

showcase of art works

Looks like a showcase in a fashion store.

SELECTED ARTIST SHOWCASE section

Here is a new sales zone ,where art works are shown in an exhibition style, beyond the frame of participated galleries. For this year, the theme was “emotional material”.

amana photo award showcase

TOKYO FRONTLINE made a partnership with amana group to find a new talent who will carry the photograph’s future by awarding a prize and providing them a chance to show at this section. The four artists shown at the image above were awarded last year.

One of the interesting attempt of this art fair is the collaboration with other creative platform including “SANDWICH” lead by one of the most talented artist Kohei Nawa in Japan among the new generation. Nawa selected several young artists who are based in Kyoto.

view of the SANDWICH project booth

Kohei Nawa “Polygon-Yana”

Special work is planed for this art fair by Kohei Nawa. Only one person can get a right to order a 3D degital modeling sculpture of himself/herself or his/her designated person. This work will be put into an archive of the artist, and might be exhibited in a museum in the future…?!