"Surreal — Nothing is perfect, but I can't accept anything less than perfect."

'Imitation Exhibit'

PARCO MUSEUM

by Yukari Tanaka

Aug. 9-Sept. 2

Imitations, whether natural or manmade, can both fascinate and confuse viewers through trickery and illusion, sometimes appearing so realistic, it becomes hard to distinguish them as fake.

Featuring hyperrealistic works, including body painting and makeup, as well as trick photography, trompe l’oeil installations, illustrations, and an exploration of fake goods, this showcase of “imitations” reminds viewers that art itself is often referred to as an imitation of life.

Highlights include the work of Seiji Kawasaki, whose wood carvings of food items look truly realistic.

Parco Museum; Ikebukuro Parco Main Bldg. 7F, 1-28-2 Minami Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo. Ikebukuro Stn. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. ¥800. 052-243-8600; www.tv-aichi.co.jp/sokkuri

LATEST ART STORIES

A section of Yokoyama Kazan's "Gion Festival Handscrolls" (1835-37)

Yokoyama Kazan: The Edo Period influencer: Since art historian Nobuo Tsuji published"Kiso no Keifu" in 1970 (an English version was released as "Lineage of Eccentrics" in 2012), broad attention has refocused on a number of Edo Period (16...

'Hiroshi Kobatake: Called by Wood': July 20-Sept. 8 The son of a Western-style painter father and a Japanese-style painter mother, sculptor Hiroshi Kobatake (1935-96) studied at Tokyo University of the Arts. After graduati...

Kengo Kuma and Associates + Jun Sato (work in progress image)

'Insects: Models for Design': July 19-Nov. 4 Though insects are integral to environments and affect our everyday lives, due to their variety, surprisingly little is known about them. Their vibrant colors, physical fe...