Aki Kondo’s solo exhibition “Aki Kondo: What I Saw, When I Tore Myself Open” will be held at the Contemporary Art Gallery of the Mito Art Tower in Ibaraki, starting on Saturday, February 15.
Born in Hokkaido in 1987, Aki Kondo debuted as a painter in 2012. Her works explore themes ranging from daily objects and the memories of people to life and death, transcendent forces of nature, and intimate motifs such as plants and the words of children. Through these, she envisions a world where different beings connect in the “here and now.” In 2015, Kondo presented “HIKARI,” a film combining about 14,000 oil paintings and live-action footage as an act of remembrance. Since 2020, she has been based in Yamagata Prefecture.
This exhibition, the largest solo show of Kondo’s career, will feature works from 2022 onwards as well as more than 50 new pieces created specifically for the exhibition. With themes such as the affirmation of life, the connection with others, the world of nature beyond human scale, the subtle interactions with plants, and inquiries into the roots of art, the exhibition is curated by architect Jun Aoki.
A highlight of the show will be the debut of a new, over 9-meter-wide painting titled “The Orchestra,” which was created with the renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa, former director of the Mito Art Tower, in mind. In collaboration with Aoki and the plant shop “Qusamura,” known for its concept of “plants with good faces,” Kondo will present an installation featuring various cacti in a new series inspired by these plants.
Aki Kondo: What I Saw, When I Tore Myself Open
Exhibition Dates:
February 15 (Saturday) – May 6 (Tuesday, Public Holiday)
Opening Hours:
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last entry at 5:30 PM)
Venue:
Mito Art Tower, Contemporary Art Gallery
Closed:
Mondays, February 25 (Tuesday)
Note: Open on February 24 (Monday, Public Holiday) and May 5 (Monday, Public Holiday)
Admission Fees:
General: ¥900
Group (20 or more people): ¥700
Free for high school students and under, seniors (70+), individuals with disabilities, and one accompanying person.
Proof of student ID, age, or disability is required.
1-Year Free Pass: ¥2,000
Special Discount Days:
“First Friday” for students and those aged 65-69: ¥100 on the first Friday of each month. Proof required.
Organized by:
Mito City Arts and Culture Foundation
Cooperation:
Shugo Arts, Suntory Holdings Ltd.
Exhibition Design:
Jun Aoki
Curator:
Sakiko Goto (Curator, Mito Art Tower Contemporary Art Center)
Related Programs Exploring New Works:
The Orchestra Room [Reservation Required]
A mini-concert where visitors can enjoy Aki Kondo’s works alongside performances by musicians. The first installment will feature violinist Ribon Aida.
Date: March 1 (Saturday) and others
Please check the museum’s website for performer and performance details and registration.
Reservation Start Date: February 1 (Saturday), 10:00 AM
“Qusamura” Workshop & Talk [Reservation Required]
A conversation between Aki Kondo and Kohei Oda of “Qusamura,” focusing on cacti, which greatly influenced Kondo’s creative process for this exhibition. A plant sale and workshop will also take place.
Date: April 27 (Sunday)
Venue: Workshop Room
Workshop:
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Instructor: Kohei Oda (Founder of “Qusamura”)
Capacity: 15 participants (via lottery)
Fee: ¥5,000
Registration Period: February 1 (Saturday) 10:00 AM – April 4 (Friday) 6:00 PM
Talk:
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Speakers: Aki Kondo, Kohei Oda
Capacity: 50 (No reservation required, first-come-first-served)
Fee: Free
Concurrent Event: High School Week 2025
A free invitation program for high school students, which began in 1993. “High School Week” provides an opportunity for diverse people and perspectives to connect. During the event, a “café” will be set up in the Workshop Room, offering various programs such as workshops, club activities, reading, and sewing, all related to the exhibition. On March 19 (Wednesday), a program called “Bridge Café” will connect seniors with art. Details about beverage offerings will be determined based on the current pandemic situation.
Dates: March 8 (Saturday) – April 6 (Sunday)
Venue: Contemporary Art Gallery, Workshop Room
Fee: Included with exhibition entry.
