From September 3 to December 8, 2025, Tokyo’s National Art Center in Roppongi invites visitors to step through a prism of time and vision in Prism of the Real: Making Art in Japan 1989–2010. This exhibition traces two transformative decades of Japanese art, capturing the burst of creativity that followed the end of the Shōwa era and unfolded through the Heisei years.
A first-of-its-kind collaboration between the National Art Center and Hong Kong’s M+ museum, Prism of the Real brings together a global perspective on Japan’s artistic landscape. Opened in 2021, M+ collects and showcases works spanning design, architecture, film, and visual culture of the 20th and 21st centuries—a lens through which the exhibition offers fresh insight into Japan’s own creative evolution.
During a brief visit to M+ earlier this year, I was struck by the way Japanese artists like Yasumasa Morimura and Tatsuo Miyajima sit alongside multi-generational Chinese art, creating unexpected dialogues. M+’s installations of Kisho Kurokawa’s Nakagin Capsule Tower and Shiro Kuramata’s sushi bar “Kiyotomo” also reveal how architecture can mirror shifts in lifestyle—a reminder that art and daily life are inseparable.
In a world where travel has been limited and perspectives confined, Prism of the Real offers a rare opportunity: to see Japanese art through both local eyes and those from afar, uncovering nuances that might otherwise go unnoticed. Featuring the work of over fifty artists, from Makoto Aida and Miyako Ishiuchi to Takashi Murakami and Yoshitomo Nara, the exhibition invites viewers to explore, reflect, and rediscover the vibrant pulse of Japan’s art from 1989 to 2010.
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Pure Spectacle! Every Work in the Exhibition Is a Must-See
First, let’s talk about the sheer grandeur of Prism of the Real: Making Art in Japan 1989–2010. This exhibition boasts an exceptional lineup of artists. From Takashi Murakami, Shinro Ohtake, Miyako Ishiuchi, and Rieko Shiga to international figures like Christo, Joan Jonas, Dumb Type, Hito Steyerl, and Matthew Barney, the roster combines fame, skill, and influence—true stars who have defined their era.
Featured Artists
Makoto Aida, Matthew Barney, Cai Guo-Qiang, Christo, François Curlet, Dumb Type, Miran Fukuda, Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, David Hammons, Pierre Huyghe, Miyako Ishiuchi, Joan Jonas, Emiko Kasahara, Makoto Kawamata, Sachiko Kazama, Akirō Koizumi, Lee Bul, Sharon Lockhart, Tatsuo Miyajima, Mariko Mori, Yasumasa Morimura, Takashi Murakami, Yurie Nagashima, Kodai Nakahara, Masato Nakamura, Yoshitomo Nara, Minako Nishiyama, Shinro Ohtake, Oscar Oiwa, Tsuyoshi Ozawa, Philippe Parreno, Navin Rawanchaikul, Rieko Shiga, Michihiro Shimabukuro, Motohiko Shitamichi, Yutaka Sone, Simon Starling, Hito Steyerl, Thomas Struth, Tsuyoshi Tanaami, Takashi Takemine, Fiona Tan, Yuken Teruya, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Noboru Tsubaki, Franz West, Hito Nishikyo, Chikako Yamashiro, Miwa Yanagi, Kōsuke Yanagi, Kenji Yanobe, Tomoko Yoneda, and related archival materials.
Note: Listed in alphabetical order by surname.
From the official website
Right: Shinro Ohtake, Retina (Wire Horizon, Tangier) (1990–1993), Collection of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
Exhibition view at the National Art Center, Tokyo, 2025, from Prism of the Real: Making Art in Japan 1989–2010
The works on display include pieces that are emblematic of the artists themselves or pivotal in their careers, such as Kōsuke Yanagi’s Ant Farm series, Kenji Yanobe’s Atom Suit (Protective Gear), and Miwa Yanagi’s photographs inspired by elevator girls.
Exhibition view at the National Art Center, Tokyo, 2025, from Prism of the Real: Making Art in Japan 1989–2010
With such a diverse lineup of artists, the exhibition spans painting, photography, crafts, sculpture, installation, and video, creating a dynamic and varied experience. Each work has a striking individuality, giving the overall space an intense, concentrated energy. Every piece on display is a highlight in its own right.
