Judge | aatm art award tokyo marunouchi 2019

Yusaku Imamura
Yusaku Imamura
Professor, Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts
Professor,
Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School,
Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo

Some of the works being judged are difficult to understand or understand with one's head or ethics. I would like to see such works, and it would be meaningful to choose them. I'm looking forward to seeing some of these works again this year. This year, the exhibition will expand to outdoors, becoming even more integrated with the city. That's also a lot of fun.

Among a variety of artworks nominated for screening, some of them appear completely unknown, beyond thoughts and ethics. It's not only my wish to see such works, but also it should be a meaningful choice. Likely to past years, I am looking forward to coming across several such works. This year the exhibition expands its range to outdoors, which enables the works to become more integrated into the cityscape. That is also a great pleasure for me.

Eriko Kimura
Eriko Kimura
Yokohama Museum of Art Chief Curator
Curator, Yokohama Museum of Art

This year, more international students were nominated than in previous years, and it was felt through the judging that the number of students at Japanese art universities is becoming more diverse. I hope that these movements will enrich the fundamental question of art, which is how we can get to know others and resonate with them.

This year, since we had more foreign student nominations than usual, I could feel the fact that Japanese art university students are becoming more diverse. I hope that these global movements will bring richness to the fundamental question of the art; to know the others and how we can resonate.

Shigeo Goto
Shigeo Goto
Editor, Creative Director, Kyoto University of Art and Design Professor
Editor, Creative Director,
Professor, Kyoto University of Art and Design

Many of the paintings were powerful and well-made, but there were few that broke through to new possibilities. I thought that the performative works and 3D/installations were noteworthy. However, it is a pity that there is nothing concrete. I have high expectations for the future.

There were many powerful and well-made works in the field of paintings, but very few of them breaking through new possibilities. From my point of view, the featured genre should be performative works and three-dimensional / installation pieces. However, it is a pity that we hardly found any outstanding works. I look forward to the future.

Tomio Koyama
Tomio Koyama
Representative of Tomio Koyama Gallery, representative director of Japan Contemporary Art Dealers Association
Director, Tomio Koyama Gallery,
Representative Director,
Contemporary Art Dealers Association Nippon

This time, rather than using new media, I felt that there were many people who were creating their works using academic methods. It is difficult to show the next future as an expression within history, but at the same time, it showed us the richness that makes us feel connected.

I feel that this year many candidates took academic approaches with some kinds of thoughts towards the creation process, rather than new media. Although it is a tough challenge to show futuristic expression as a part of continuous history, their works let us glimpse the richness from past generations

Akiya Takahashi
Akiya Takahashi
Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo Director
Director, Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo

Today, all aspects of society are at a turning point. What people need in this unstable world is to look at themselves and their true nature. Art is essential for this purpose. From our daily lives at home to every corner of the city where we work, there are few tools that entertain us and make us think more. I want people to become more familiar with art through AATM2019.

We are living in an age when every social phenomenon comes across a turning point. In such an unstable world what is required for us is to face ourselves, and also the essence of human beings. Art plays an inevitable role in such soul-searching. From everyday life at home to every corner of the city where you work, there are so few tools to make us enjoy and think so much. Through AATM 2019, I hope art becomes more and more penetrated in our lives.

Akira Tatehata
Akira Tatehata
President of Tama Art University, Director of the Museum of Modern Art, Saitama
President, Tama Art University,
Director, The Museum of Modern Art, Saitama

It can be said that this year's success was that many highly individual expressions were seen in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional works. Although the work may be rough-hewn, I like the way the work is done, in which it is not organized into small pieces and freely utilizes its own qualities. Although the exhibition conditions are limited, I hope you will enjoy the unique scenery created by these works in the urban environment.

It can be said that it is the harvest of this year that extremely unique expressions were often seen both in 2D and 3D works. Though their works are still incomplete in many aspects, I found it preferable that they keep a freewheeling attitude towards production, taking a risk of collapse rather than settling in their safety zone. Even with limited exhibition conditions, I would like to enjoy the unique sights woven by such works in an urban city environment.

Reiichi Noguchi
Reiichi Noguchi
Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo Curator
Curator, Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo

Seeing the actual work after portfolio screening is as rewarding as witnessing the production process. The artist's issues, commitment, technique, and future potential are revealed. I am serious about going along with it because it will also test me. I'm really looking forward to seeing what comes out of this dialogue.

I found that facing actual works after portfolio review brings me great pleasure as if I attended the real production process.
Throughout this step, almost everything - artists' issues, commitments, techniques, and even future possibilities- is to be revealed. We the judges too must tackle with maximum energy and seriousness since they are examining us at the same time. I am looking forward to what will be born from this dialogue.

Akika Kojin / Kenji Minamikawa
(Member of contemporary art activity team “mé”)

Izumi Kato
(Artist)

Keiko Ito
(Managing Executive Officer, Nihon Keizai Shimbun)