Tokyo fair attracts galleries from around the world

From the antique to the modern, from traditional Japanese "nihoga" works to statues and installations drawn from around the world, all will be on display at the upcoming Art Fair Tokyo.

The event is the largest art fair in Japan and has earned an impressive reputation since it was first staged in 2005. The exposition has always previously been staged in spring, although this year's event was delayed after the natural disasters that struck northern Japan in March.

Undeterred, the organizers vowed to go ahead and have managed to attract galleries from around the world to display some of their finest items at the Tokyo International Forum.

Mita Arts will be among the approximately 130 specialist companies taking part, displaying some of its collection of sought-after "ukiyoe" wood-block prints, including works by some of the most famous artists of the genre, such as Hokusai and Utamaro. Galerie Sho Contemporary Art will be exhibiting a very different selection of recent works, while Eiji Nishikawa specializes in Chinese ceramics and works from Japan's near-neighbor.

Other well-known Japanese institutions that will be represented include the Tokyo-based Ando Gallery, Shoun Oriental Art and Toho Art.

Foreign galleries that will be taking part include Nature Morte, from New Delhi, the Da Xiang Art Space, from the Taiwanese city of Taichung, Hong Kong-based Art Statements and the Galleri Susanne Ottesen, from Copenhagen.

Art Fair Tokyo is trying to make its mark on the art world, although an established event such as Art Basel - recognized as the world's top fair for modern and contemporary works - attracts 300 galleries and 2,500 artists from around the world. Another rival for the art world's attention this year is the Venice Biennale, a combination of dance, music, theater, cinema, architecture and art that this year opened in early June and will run until November.

Venue: The Tokyo International Forum, 5-1 Marunouchi 3-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005. Tel. +81 3 5221 9000. http://www.t-i-forum.co.jp/english

Dates: July 29 to 31, 2011.

Tickets: A one-day pass is Y1,500 (€12.93) on the door or Y1,200 (€10.35) in advance.

More information: http://www.artfairtokyo.com/en/ or Tel: +81 3 5771 4520.

JR