Emily Mae Smith Exhibition Opening Reception @ Perrotin Tokyo Archive

🎨 Emily Mae Smith Exhibition Opening Reception @ Perrotin Tokyo Archive

📍 Perrotin Tokyo | Roppongi Piramide Building 2F

I attended the opening reception of the solo exhibition by American artist Emily Mae Smith at Perrotin Tokyo, located inside the Roppongi art spot "Piramide Building."

Her works, combining animation-like brushstrokes with references to art history, possess both visual beauty and sharp irony. The venue was filled with many art fans, collectors, and curators from Japan and abroad. On the opening day, the artist herself was present and spoke carefully about the background and intentions behind her works.

What stood out especially was a new piece featuring her signature motif, a "broom" personified as a character. Along with its surreal composition, themes such as gender, mythology, and capitalism were embedded.

There were also small works by other affiliated artists like Izumi Kato and Elizabeth Peyton, with many pieces perfect for decorating your home.

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🏛 Touring Roppongi Piramide Building and Nearby Galleries

📍 Piramide Building
A masterpiece of 1980s modernist architecture by architect Fumihiko Maki. A unique complex where cultural facilities and commercial spaces intersect. Besides Perrotin Tokyo, several other galleries are housed here.

🔹 Galleries inside Piramide
• Taka Ishii Gallery
A gallery strong in photography and video expression. Works by Hiroshi Sugimoto and Daido Moriyama are sometimes exhibited.
• OTA FINE ARTS
Home to leading figures in Asian contemporary art, including Yayoi Kusama and contemporary artists from Myanmar.
• WAKO WORKS OF ART
A long-established gallery introducing international contemporary art. Its carefully curated exhibition spaces are attractive.

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☕ Recommended Cafes for a Break During Gallery Hopping
• Cafe inside Roppongi Tsutaya Books (Tokyo Midtown)
Abundant art books. An intellectual space perfect for after gallery visits.
• Aoyama Flower Market TEA HOUSE Akasaka Biz Tower
A relaxing spot surrounded by seasonal flowers. Ideal for soaking in the afterglow of exhibitions.

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✍️ Summary: An Afternoon Encountering Art in the City

Roppongi Piramide Building is one of the places where you can feel the "context" of contemporary art in Tokyo firsthand. The Emily Mae Smith exhibition, along with hopping between other galleries, made for a fulfilling day.

#EmilyMaeSmith #Trip