Alexander Calder’s Deep Appreciation for Japanese Culture, Tradition on Display in Immersive Exhibition
Nearly 100 artworks from the famed modernist are on view in Tokyo for the first time in nearly 35 years
Although Alexander Calder never traveled to Japan, the deep influence of the country’s culture on his work is made clear in “Calder: Un effet du japonais,” a show at Azabudai Hills Gallery in Tokyo, on view through September 6. Presented in collaboration with the Calder Foundation and Pace Gallery, which will open a permanent space in the same development this fall, the landmark exhibition includes nearly 100 artworks—from large-scale mobiles to works on paper.
To enhance the experience, architectural designer Stephanie Goto crafted immersive scenography utilizing Japanese cherrywood and paper dyed with black ink. “Using these materials as the background, it’s unlike an experience you’d have in a white-cube gallery setting,” she says.
A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2024 Fall Issue under the headline “Moving Tribute.” Subscribe to the magazine.