ASIA NOW 2018: contemporary Japanese art in the spotlight

ASIA NOW, Europe’s first “boutique” art fair dedicated exclusively to contemporary Asian art, returns to 9, avenue Hoche in Paris from October 17 to 21.

Drawing on the success of its three previous editions, ASIA NOW affirms its commitment to presenting established and emerging artists and innovative practices in contemporary Asian art. The 2018 fair features a series of new developments: an exhibition space dedicated to Japan and designed by Sou Fujimoto Architects, leading-edge special projects and performances and the launch of off-site events and a video programme.

Japanese Platform
While the 2017 edition explored South Korea’s creative territories, ASIA NOW 2018 highlights the richness and dynamism of the Japanese artistic scene with a dedicated platform curated by Emmanuelle de Montgazon, associate curator of A Japanese Season at the Centre Pompidou-Metz in 2017-2018. The platform presents both established and emerging artists, many of whom will be shown in France for the first time.

This focus on Japan falls within the context of “JAPONISMES 2018,” a series of cultural events celebrating the 160th anniversary of Franco-Japanese relations.

The Japanese Platform is housed this year in an all-new 150 m2 exhibition space, designed by the renowned Sou Fujimoto Architects and welcomes some of the finest Japanese contemporary art galleries, including established galleries such as Misa Shin Gallery (Tokyo) and young, up-and-coming galleries such as S.O.C. Satoko Oe Contemporary (Tokyo).

Throughout the week, the platform will host a wide range of special projects, including a spectacular in situ installation by Makoto Aida, one of Japan’s most provocative artists. A programme of performances will include the collective Contact Gonzo, with a viral performance through the fair which combines street-fighting and contact dance.

For the third consecutive year, ASIA NOW renews its collaboration with Christie’s in the organization of the Design Project, featuring prominent Japanese designers.

Also new this year, ASIA NOW’s off-site programme which will involve a selection of events at Parisian institutions.

Conversation platform and screenings 
The Conversation Platform is a unique place for exchanges, dialogue and teachings and a yearly meeting place for opinion leaders in the art world. The speakers, who will appear alongside the numerous artists present, include Yuko Hasegawa (Chief Curator, Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo), Hou Hanru (Artistic Director, MAXXI, Rome), Akiko Miki (International Artistic Director, Benesse Art Site, Naoshima), Catherine David (Chief Curator, Centre Pompidou), among others.

This Conversation series is complemented this year by an enhanced video programme, presenting video art and documentaries, both by and about artists. It will include the short-documentary Wind and Water starring Chinese contemporary artist Zheng Guogu, directed by Felicitas Yang and produced by Martina Koeppel-Yang.

Galleries
For this fourth edition, ASIA NOW welcomes some 15 additional galleries, for a total of over 45 Asian and Western galleries, recognized as being the most influential in the promulgation and the support of contemporary Asian artists on an international scale.

Newcomers to the fair include: A2Z Art Gallery (Paris, Hong Kong), Amy Li Gallery (Beijing), Art Seasons (Singapore, Beijing), Galerie ARTVERA’S (Geneva), Beijing-Commune (Beijing), C-Space+Local (Beijing), Galerie DA-END (Paris), Finale Fine Art (Makati), Ginkgo Space (Beijing), HdM Gallery (Beijing, London), Leo Gallery (Shanghai), MadeIn Gallery (Shanghai), New Galerie (Paris), Over the Influence (Hong Kong, Los Angeles), Tong Gallery+Projects (Beijing), Vinyl on Vinyl (Makati). The complete list of exhibitors and full programme will be released soon.