3.25: Remembering Yusuke Nakahara (1931-2011)
On Mar 3, the pioneering art critic and administrator Yusuke Nakahara died of complications related to gallbladder cancer, age 79. A graduate of Kyoto University’s Faculty of Science, Nakahara is perhaps best remembered for his role as commissioner of the 1970 Tokyo Biennale, “Between Man and Matter.” In an obituary for ART iT, Japan Edition, the art critic Hiroshi Minamishima wrote that Nakahara’s organization of the Tokyo Biennale made manifest his personal philosophy of “criticism that serves creation.” More.
3.23: Art Fair Tokyo 2011 postponed due to earthquake relief
In a statement to the press Mar 22, Art Fair Tokyo announced it will be postponing its 2011 edition. Scheduled to run Apr 1-3, the fair will not be able to proceed as planned due to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s decision to use the fair venue, Tokyo International Forum, as a shelter for evacuees from the regions affected by the Mar 11 Tohoku Pacific Earthquake and Tsunami. More.
3.21: Interview with Singapore Biennale director Matthew Ngui
On Mar 13 the third edition of the Singapore Biennale officially opened to the public at multiple venues in Singapore. Directed by artist Matthew Ngui, this year’s edition is the first to be overseen by a local art professional after the previous two in 2006 and 2008, respectively, were guided by the Japanese curator and director of Tokyo’s Mori Art Museum, Fumio Nanjo. ART iT spoke with Ngui prior to the opening of the Biennale to learn more about his experience directing the exhibition and how he understands its positioning between local and international audiences. More.
3.18: Statement from the Editors
A week has passed since the devastating Tohoku Pacific Earthquake and Tsunami that struck northeastern Japan March 11. With the ensuing nuclear crisis at Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant, these events have taken a great human, economic and spiritual toll from Japan. Yet as has been made evident through both news coverage and personal daily interactions, even a catastrophe of such wide-reaching and unprecedented impact has not shaken the fundamental humanity of the many affected people. More.
3.18: Ways to contribute to earthquake relief
We appreciate the expressions of concern and sympathy from our friends and colleagues overseas following the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake and Tsunami that struck on Mar 11 and the ongoing nuclear crisis at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant (also known as the Fukushima Daiichi power plant). Many of you have asked how to assist in disaster relief. In response we are compiling a running list of ways to help. More.
3.15: Shigeru Ban contributes architecture to earthquake relief
Known for his easily and cheaply assembled “paper log” houses, architect Shigeru Ban has announced plans to contribute to relief efforts following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that rocked northeastern Japan Mar 11. Ban’s designs have already been employed in humanitarian missions in Kobe following the great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995 as well as in Kayanasli, Turkey, and Bhuj, India, following earthquakes in 1999 and 2001, respectively. More.
3.7: Photo Essay: Guangzhou Opera House
Under construction since 2005, the Zaha Hadid-designed Guangzhou Opera House has finally been completed. Commissioned by the Guangzhou Municipal Government and estimated to have cost CNY 1.38 billion, the 70,000sqm complex overlooking the Pearl River is Hadid’s first built project in mainland China. Berlin-based Singaporean media artist Ming Wong attended the Feb 25-26 architectural review of the opera house on behalf of ART iT, and reports back with photos. More.