When one thinks of the word “story,” what probably comes to mind are literature, movies or theater, rather than art. However, in the realm of contemporary art, with its vast range in medium and method, one may also encounter works with a particular “narrative” or works that invite the viewer to “fill in the blanks.” In this permanent collection exhibition this summer, we showcase works that explore the narrative possibilities of art. These include photographic works by Japanese and overseas artists and large-scale installations by Yayoi Kusama, Miranda July and Jim Lambie. Selected to represent Japan at last year’s Venice Biennale, Miwa Yanagi explores the themes of women and the nature of femininity. Nobuyoshi Araki, long a major figure in the field of photography, tells the story of his wife through photographs. Sophie Calle, recipient of the Hasselblad Award, the highest honor in the field of photography, provides us with a visual journey that charts the pain of and recovery from lost love. Miranda July, widely known as a film director as well as actress, has created an installation in which introspective musings about life are encapsulated within the confines of a hallway. We hope you will visit Hara Museum ARC for these and other stories told through the medium of contemporary art.

Featured artists:
Nobuyoshi Araki / Sophie Calle/ Gilbert & George/ Miranda July/ Kazumi Kurigami/ Yayoi Kusama / Jim Lambie/ Boris Mikhailov/ Andy Warhol/ Miwa Yanagi

* The text provided by Hara Museum ARC.

Opened dates: June 11 - August 31, 2010