In collaboration with
My Tokyo: curator Mami Kataoka
Ahead of Art Week Tokyo, explore the city's cultural landscape with the Mori Art Museum's director and AWT Focus curator
In collaboration with
My Tokyo: curator Mami Kataoka
Ahead of Art Week Tokyo, explore the city's cultural landscape with the Mori Art Museum's director and AWT Focus curator
In collaboration with
My Tokyo: curator Mami Kataoka
Ahead of Art Week Tokyo, explore the city's cultural landscape with the Mori Art Museum's director and AWT Focus curator
In collaboration with
My Tokyo: curator Mami Kataoka
Ahead of Art Week Tokyo, explore the city's cultural landscape with the Mori Art Museum's director and AWT Focus curator
In collaboration with
My Tokyo: curator Mami Kataoka
Ahead of Art Week Tokyo, explore the city's cultural landscape with the Mori Art Museum's director and AWT Focus curator
What does the word ‘Tokyo’ evoke for you?
It’s home to 14 million people filled with the enormous energy of diverse lives.
Your first memory of Tokyo?
A visit to the Imperial Palace and Harajuku – almost 50 years ago!
Where do you feel most at home?
In my kitchen.
What makes a true Tokyoite?
Someone who appreciates Tokyo’s multi-layered histories, food, fashion, art, music, economy, and everything else.
Your favorite breakfast place?
Bricolage bread & co. in Roppongi Hills.
Where are the best boutiques?
I’m faithful to the longings of my youth, so Omotesando is still my favorite area. It’s where a number of boutiques are located, including Yohji Yamamoto and Comme des Garçons.
Who would be your dream guest for a dinner party?
On Kawara.
Where do you go out in Tokyo?
I don’t really go out in Tokyo – I move between Roppongi and Yutenji and other locations where I go to see exhibitions.
What work of art best represents Tokyo?
There are many works I could choose from, but Daido Moriyama’s many images truly capture the energy of Tokyo.
What would you recommend a visitor see and do during Art Week Tokyo?
I would get on the AWT Bus and experience different parts of Tokyo.
What do you miss most when you are away from Tokyo?
The familiarity and sense of navigation.
Your advice for someone visiting the city?
The best thing about Tokyo is the diversity of culture, history, and vibe of the place. Rather than staying in one place, explore different areas to fully experience the city.
Mami Kataoka is the Director of the Mori Art Museum and curator of AWT Focus. AWT Focus is a curated sales platform featuring Mami Kataoka's 'Earth, Wind, and Fire: Visions of the Future from Asia,' showcasing 57 artists from across Asia and beyond
Art Week Tokyo runs November 7–10, 2024 at 53 participating galleries and institutions as well as the Okura Museum of Art (AWT Focus), SMBC East Tower, Marunouchi (AWT Video), emergence aoyama complex (AWT Bar), and Keio University Mita Campus (AWT Talks Symposium). Discover more here.
Art Week Tokyo is organized by Japan Contemporary Art Platform in collaboration with Art Basel, with support from Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs. Art Week Tokyo’s infrastructural development initiative, the Art Week Tokyo Mobile Project, is co-organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Art Week Tokyo Mobile Project Organizing Committee.
Published on October 28, 2024.
All photos and videos by Kiki Zou for Art Basel.
