Judge | AATM Art Award Tokyo Marunouchi 2022

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

This award, which is given to graduates and completed works, has been held here in Marunouchi for 16 years. I think this continuation is a source of strength for both Artist and supporters. I hope that the shared experiences we have here will become a great source of strength and create something new.

AATM is an award ceaselessly granting their prize to graduation works here in Marunouchi for 16 years. The ceaseless effort is the most vital drive for artists and supporters of the cause. I hope this opportunity to exchange their experiences will bring something new to this field.

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

This award, which is in its 16th year, reflects the trends in the interests of young writers of the time, even though their methods of expression are always different. The 25 people selected here seem to have something in common, many of whom are trying to express themselves by delving into structural issues, and although this is not a curated exhibition, it is interesting to see what kind of chemical reactions the adjacent works bring about. , I'm looking forward to the actual exhibition.

This 16th AATM award reflects the tendency of young artists' interests today. Their methods are always diverse, and this showcase is not a curated exhibition. However, most of the selected works of 25 artists have a mutual point. That is a fact that went beyond their comfort zone to challenge structural problems. I can't wait to see what kind of chemical effects cause on each other when those selected works are lined up side by side at the venue.

Shigeo Goto
Shigeo Goto
editor, creative director,
Professor, Kyoto University of Arts
Editor, Creative Director,
Professor, Kyoto University of the Art

There were many excellent entries this year, and the selection process was full of controversy. Personally, it was an opportunity for me to reconsider the possibilities of painting. Amid the diversification of installations and media, how can we create strength that can compete with them? Future paintings will likely require greater depth.

We have coming excellent artworks this year and generated quite a few discourses on the review board. It was a perfect opportunity for me to reconsider the possibility of paintings. The generation of painting works will have to come up with the strength to compete with new media arts such as installation art because they will challenge the conventional form of painting.

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

It's always interesting to see the desire for excessive expression hidden in young Artist. Some of the people who sent me this file were like that, so what should I do with them? There is no exact answer or method. It may be necessary to find a balance that makes things appear reasonably organized, but it can also become boring. That part is thrilling. I hope that you will show it well.

It is always interesting to find the desire in young artists that want to express themselves excessively. Some artists who submitted their portfolios were among them and had no clue how to deal with the desire. It is boring not to tip the scale to one side, but harmonization might be needed. I hope you will come up with something and be successful.

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

Compared to previous years, there were fewer video and photographic works, and there seemed to be more masterpieces in paintings and three-dimensional works. It can be said that figurative expressions that emphasize individuality stand out more than conceptual tendencies. I look forward to the challenges that come with diversity and being ahead of the curve.

There were more painting and sculptural works than video and picture works compared with last year's exhibition. I have found hope in challenging spirits in the age of post-diversity because figurative artworks that focus on each artist's originality seem more dominant than conceptual artworks.

Tomoko Yabumae
Tomoko Yabumae
Curator, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Curator, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

I was dazzled by the feeling that I could imagine what each of them liked, Fashion, and even the music they listened to from their portfolios. I wonder what will happen to this strong bond with works that feel like they are creating their own alter egos in the future. The judging process made us think about future works while enjoying the fun that can only be found in the present.

I felt astonished because I could see what kind of fashion and music each artist would like from looking into their portfolios. I wonder what will come of the powerful connection those artists have with their works because they seem exact duplications of artists themselves. I have reviewed those artworks with joy, knowing that they will keep changing their style, and that makes me wondering their future works.

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

When you come across the works of this many people (127 people), you tend to see works of a similar type here and there, but I was impressed by how few of them there were. The attitude of individual pursuit is thorough. He uses paints and a variety of materials to bring out unexpected expressions without using them in a fixed manner, and uses media such as video and CG freely as art materials rather than simply using them. I'm really looking forward to seeing how these original works will look on display.

It was impressive that there were no artworks resembling each other, despite the number of art pieces (127 artists in total) we have reviewed. That is a testament to their thorough approach to seeking their identity. They have not fallen into conventional methods but succeeded in extracting surprising effects from painting and miscellaneous materials. Utilizing new media art materials like videos and CG not out of whim, but in a reign in fashion and employ freely as a medium to achieve their goal. I am excited and looking forward to seeing how those creative artworks will lay out at the venue.