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Natasha Vik
For Natasha Vik's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 7, 2013
Norwegian, Japanese musicians team up for show inspired by A-bomb anime
Norway is exporting more than just salmon this summer. A group of some 60 musicians, led by composer Magnar Am, have arrived in Japan.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Aug 7, 2013
'Hayami Gyoshu and the Elite of the Japan Art Institute'
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the re-establishment of the Japan Fine Arts Institute (Inten) the Yamatane Museum of Art's new exhibition showcases the work of Hayami Gyoshu and and other important nihnonga (Japanese-style) painters.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Aug 7, 2013
'Léonard Foujita from the Collection of the Pola Museum of Art'
A central figure in Paris during its eponymous School of Paris era, Léonard Foujita (Tsuguharu Fujita, 1886-1968) found early success with portraiture and painting. While the female nude was often the subject of earlier works, after World War II, he changed his focus to make children a central theme.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jul 31, 2013
'American Pop Art: From the John and Kimiko Powers Collection'
John and Kimiko Powers began collecting American Pop Art from its early beginnings in the 1960s. Noted for their patronage of artists, the couple's collection is now one of the most comprehensive of the Pop Art movement.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jul 31, 2013
'Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan "In-Habit: Project Another Country"'
Husband-and-wife team Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan present "In-Habit," an installation and multimedia exhibit inspired by the Badjao indigenous people of their native Philippines.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jul 24, 2013
'Soya Asae Exhibition: Sora iro (color of the air)'
An Art Ph.D. graduate of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Asae Soya's art takes many forms. Originally a painter, her body of work has grown over the years to include installations, video and public art.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 24, 2013
August Live
For those people who can't take time off work for any of this month's major music festivals, there are still plenty of options for live music across the country.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Jul 18, 2013
All of Okinawa is a stage for Kijimuna Festa
Parents who have tried to take their children on museum outings might recognize what a formidable challenge it can be to get them excited about traditional arts. Kijimuna Festa, a theater festival in Okinawa for children and young adults, was founded with this issue in mind.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jul 17, 2013
'The Mediterranean World: The Collections from the Louvre'
In a special exhibition, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is showcasing masterpieces of Mediterranean art from all eight curatorial departments of the Louvre. Some 200 works from the collection of the world-famous museum in Paris will be on display, including items from ancient Greece and Rome, spanning the millennium up until the 19th century.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jul 17, 2013
'Being-in-the-Wired- World'
The Kawasaki City Museum has a tradition of creating exhibitions that explore the relationship between technology and art, and this one, coinciding with the museum's 25th anniversary, is no exception.
Japan Times
Events / Events In Tokyo
Jul 11, 2013
Aqua art makes for fishy frames
Some say beauty can get you far in life. That's true this weekend, at least for our friends with fins.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jul 10, 2013
'The Beauty of Japanese-style Calligraphy'
The Tokyo National Museum's Heiseikan's latest exhibition explores the history of calligraphy in Japan. First imported with the Chinese writing system, calligraphy developed a distinct Japanese style in the mid-Heian period (796-1185). This exhibition documents the changes in Japanese writing styles by presenting a number of calligraphy masterpieces, including the works of Ono no Tofu, Fujiwara no Sari and Fujiwara no Kozei.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jul 10, 2013
'Why Not Live for Art? II: 9 Collectors Reveal Their Treasures'
First held in 2004, this exhibition is the second by Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery to present works owned by individual collectors. In the past 10 years, art collecting has become more common and the network between collectors has expanded. As the gallery revisits the world of private acquisitions, it also reflects on how art collection has changed.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Jul 4, 2013
Star-crossed lovers to meet at nationwide Tanabata festivals
It's time to dust off the yukata (summer kimono) as this weekend cities across the country will be celebrating the annual star festival, better known as Tanabata.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jul 3, 2013
'Shuji Terayama: Knock'
Commemorating 30 years since the passing of avant-garde writer and artist Shuji Terayama, this exhibition brings together artifacts from his 30-hour street play, "Knock."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jul 3, 2013
'Floating Design: Shiro Kuramata and His Contemporaries'
Shiro Kuramata, recipient of France's Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, is highly regarded for his interior and furniture design. His most famous works, which possess a poetic, dreamlike quality — such as the "Miss Blanche" clear acrylic chair, which has roses suspended in it — inspired the "Floating Design" title of this exhibition.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media
Jun 30, 2013
Cultural agency doles out awards to those promoting Japan
Twelve distinguished figures, including eight foreigners, received awards Friday from the Cultural Affairs Agency for their efforts in cultural exchange and promotion of Japanese culture abroad.
Japan Times
Events / Events In Tokyo
Jun 28, 2013
Festival flea markets are a treat
The Japanese have a knack for putting hard-to-describe feelings into words. A good example is the word "mottainai," used when expressing regret over wasting a resource or opportunity. It's an expression that's getting good use recently, as society makes a push to be more eco-conscious.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 27, 2013
July Live
Though you might be dreading July, with its sweltering heat and seasonal rain, the month makes up for it with a slew of exciting concerts. It's time to let loose — and pray the venues have air conditioning. Here's a selection of what July has in store.
CULTURE / Art
Jun 27, 2013
'Andreas Gursky'
Hailing from Germany, Andreas Gursky has long been one of the most revered names in contemporary photography. In his images, Gursky captures the repeated patterns of cityscapes on such a massive scale that they almost appear abstract.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world