Tokyo's commercial art galleries tend to come in one of two types: hole-in-the-wall or out-of-the-way. So any attempt to visit several in a day can resemble a form of urban orienteering. Unless, that is, you plan your excursion for April 2-4 and set your sights for Tokyo International Forum, which is hosting the annual Art Fair Tokyo during those three days.
Featuring 138 galleries from Japan and abroad, this is the nation's largest commercial art fair and its best forum to peruse and purchase a wide variety of art, ranging from ukiyo-e prints and scrolls to contemporary sculpture, paintings and photographs by everyone from Christo to Yasumasa Morimura.
But art is really expensive, you say? Well, yes, some of it is. However, most galleries at the fair are keen to appeal to all of its expected 45,000 visitors, so they bring a wide range of works. Sure there will be some eight-digit price tags, but there will also be plenty in the tens of thousands, too. There is no better place to find something to suit your taste and your budget.
Art Fair Tokyo 2010 runs from April 2-4 at Tokyo International Forum. Admission is ¥1,500 (children below elementary school age are free). For more information, visit www.artfairtokyo.com
Ticket Giveaway
The Japan Times has five pairs of tickets to Art Fair Tokyo to give away to readers. To apply, use the form available at jtimes.jp/artfair. The deadline for entries is March 28. For further details, call (03) 3452-3599.
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