Tokyo Gendai concluded its second edition on Sunday, July 7, 2024, with strong sales reported across all sectors. The fair welcomed domestic and international visitors, collectors, and institutions from 40 countries and territories, showcasing a world-class array of international contemporary art from 69 galleries.

A Global Gathering

The fair featured an extensive VIP programme celebrating contemporary art and Japanese culture, including special events, exhibitions, and gallery openings. Highlights included “Brancusi: Carving the Essence” at Artizon Museum, “Theaster Gates: Afro-Mingei” at Mori Art Museum, and “Rei Nato: Come and Live – Go and Live” at Tokyo National Museum. These events provided attendees with a deep dive into Japan’s rich cultural heritage, blending traditional and contemporary elements.

Opening Celebrations

The opening party on July 4 at Yokohama Museum of Art was a grand affair, featuring a Kabuki dance performance by Ranshou Fujima and an exclusive preview of Yusuke Asai’s “To the Forest of All Living Things, 2023.” This event set the tone for the fair, highlighting the fusion of historical Japanese performance art with contemporary visual arts. Additionally, ALVA NOTO (Carsten Nicolai) performed at TOKYO NODE HALL, marking his first performance in Japan since the pandemic. This performance celebrated Nicolai’s long-standing connection with Japan and his collaboration with the late Ryuichi Sakamoto, creating a poignant and memorable experience for attendees.

Cultural Immersion

Tokyo Gendai also offered international visitors the opportunity to explore cultural sites outside Tokyo. Visits to Kiyoharu Art Colony, Pola Art Museum, and Enoura Observatory provided a broader perspective on Japan’s artistic landscape. A major commission, “Touch on an Absence” by Tabaimo, was showcased at Warehouse TERRADA, complemented by a Gallery Night at TERRADA ART COMPLEX. These events emphasized the fair’s commitment to immersing visitors in Japan’s diverse culture.

Leadership and Support

Reiri Kojima, General Manager of Tokyo Gendai, expressed gratitude for the energy and enthusiasm from visitors, highlighting the support from the Japan Tourism Agency, Agency for Cultural Affairs, and the City of Yokohama. Kojima noted, “It was incredible to feel the energy and enthusiasm from both returning and new visitors alike. While the art market in Japan is still growing, we were very encouraged to hear that visitors were delighted by the galleries’ presentations, as well as the public and VIP programmes that connected Japan’s many cultural institutions to the global art world.”

Magnus Renfrew, Co-Founder of Tokyo Gendai, emphasized the fair’s role in connecting Japan to the global art market and announced new autumn dates for 2025 to enhance participation. Renfrew stated, “The second edition of Tokyo Gendai built on the solid foundations laid last year. We were thrilled by the response to the fair by both the Japanese art community and international collectors. Consensus is emerging that Japan has the potential to play a much bigger role in the global art market and we are honoured to be playing an important role in both putting the spotlight on the incredible art scene in Tokyo and connecting Japan to the global art world. We are excited to have secured new Autumn dates that will allow the potential for greater participation from galleries, collectors and international visitors.”

Notable Sales and Exhibits

Galleries reported robust sales across various price points, underscoring Tokyo Gendai’s mission to expand the market for contemporary art in Japan. Notable transactions included:

• A Lighthouse called Kanata sold six seminal works, including Satoru Ozaki’s “The Prince, 2024,” for USD 150,000 – 200,000.
• Sundaram Tagore Gallery sold three works by Hiroshi Senju, with prices reaching USD 570,000.
• BLUM sold a 2024 canvas work by Kenjiro Okazaki for USD 160,000.
• MISAKO & ROSEN sold Trevor Shimizu’s “Water and Branches (2), 2024” for USD 85,000.
• Almine Rech reported the sale of Roby Dwi Antono’s piece for USD 30,000 – 50,000.

Several galleries boasted sell-out shows, including Pace Gallery, which sold out its solo booth of Robert Longo’s new drawings. Prices for Longo’s pieces ranged from USD 90,000 to 750,000, indicating a strong demand for his work. Tomio Koyama Gallery, participating in the Hana ‘Flower’ sector, also achieved a sell-out show featuring works by Beijing artist Xu Ning, further highlighting the fair’s success.

Healthy sales of contemporary artists working with textiles and sculpture were reported by Gallery Nosco (Brussels), which sold four of Isabelle D’s textile pieces, with prices ranging from USD 8,600 – 22,500. Retro Africa (Abuja) sold five works, including two sculptural tapestry artworks by Samuel Nnorom for USD 10,000 and USD 17,000 to Japanese collectors.

VIP and Cultural Influences

Leading collectors, museum directors, curators, and patrons from 40 countries and territories attended Tokyo Gendai, partaking in the array of cultural offerings around the fair. VIPs included notable figures such as Takeo Obayashi, Miwa Taguchi, Shane Akeroyd, and Ryutaro Takahashi. The fair also welcomed distinguished visitors from leading institutions, including Yoshiko Mori, Eriko Osaka, Mami Kataoka, Yuko Hasegawa, Mika Kuraya, and Jenny Wang.

Among the artists and celebrities present were Carsten Nicolai, Bea Camacho, Shiro Tsujimura, Yuichiro Tamura, Kohei Nawa, Hiroshi Senju, James Jean, Daisuke Ohba, Kengo Kito, and Yan Lei. Hong Kong actor Tony Leung and actress-singer Carina Lau also graced the event, adding a touch of glamour and further emphasizing the fair’s cultural significance.

Looking Forward

Tokyo Gendai announced its return to PACIFICO Yokohama from September 12-14, 2025, with a VIP Preview and Vernissage on September 11, 2025. This change to autumn dates is a response to feedback from galleries and collectors, aiming for a more comfortable climate and aligning with the traditional Japanese autumn cultural pursuits. The fair also introduced new Consultative Council Members for 2025, including leading Tokyo gallerists Tomio Koyama and Yuko Yamamoto, ensuring ongoing communication and constructive feedback from local stakeholders.

Gallery Response

Galleries praised Tokyo Gendai’s organization and the quality of interactions with collectors. Marc Glimcher, CEO of Pace Gallery, remarked, “Tokyo Gendai was a super effective catalyst for bringing together Japan’s most important collectors and curators—giving us an opportunity to convene and celebrate. We were thrilled to finish the week with a sold-out booth placed in local collections.” Similarly, Sundaram Tagore expressed delight in returning to the fair and noted significant sales driven by the presentation of Hiroshi Senju’s works.

Josephine May Bailey of Gallery Rosenfeld highlighted the successful placement of Nicola Samorì’s works in prestigious Japanese collections, while Wahei Aoyama of A Lighthouse called Kanata emphasized the fair’s success in engaging serious Japanese collectors.

Conclusion

Tokyo Gendai 2024 successfully strengthened Japan’s position in the global art market, providing a dynamic platform for contemporary art and cultural exchange. With its new autumn dates, the fair aims to further expand its reach and impact, fostering deeper connections within the international art community. The second edition of Tokyo Gendai not only showcased exceptional art but also celebrated Japan’s cultural richness, promising an even more exciting future for the fair and its participants.