The new Tokyo Node site is attempting to bring a little life and culture to the stark and soaring new office/mall complex at Toranomon Hills, and this Mika Ninagawa exhibition at first seems hellbent on going just as extreme in the other direction. The poster for her “Eternity in a Moment” exhibition suggests it’s going to be about the contrast between life and death…
and the first glimpse of flowers is indeed string upon string of what look like dead leis…
followed by rooms full of fake flowers, with every blooming tree and plant bursting forth out of season and all at once.
There are smaller niches filled bafflingly with planters…
before arriving at a sort of poygonal beehive of a space, where projection mapping juxtapositions of urban scenes and goldfish swim up the walls.
The next room is filled with beanbag seats, so you can lie down and gaze up at the round screens of floral videos…
before you get to the final gallery, where videos of floral extravaganzas play across giant translucent screens you can walk between.
I can’t say I came away with any deeply meaningful insights into the artist’s message, but it was visually entertaining enough to feel worth the time (if not the rather steep price).
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The “Eternity in a Moment” exhibition at Tokyo Node will still be on through February 25, 2024
Where: Toranomon Hills Station Tower TOKYO NODE 45F GALLERY A/B/C
Open: Every day
Hours: 10:00 – 22:00
Admission: Adults ¥2800, Student ¥2000, Children ¥800
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