Katsuhiko Hibino's "The Seed is a Ship Y150maru" (left, 2008), "The Seed is a Ship Yokotorimaru" (right, 2008)

'Sense of Humor'

21_21 DESIGN SIGHT

When art director Katsumi Asaba traveled around the world, he found that humor played an important role in his communication with others and his perception of objects. Likewise, he chooses to express his own sense of humor through his designs and personal collection of artworks and memorabilia.

Directed by Asaba, this exhibition features items from his collection that have inspired him, alongside the works of other designers and artists that share his sense of humor.

Through an eclectic display of documents, found objects, treasured pieces, artworks and other items, most amassed from his travels, Asaba highlights how humor has diverse manifestations and can cross genres, nations and generations as a foundation of communication and creativity.

21_21 Design Sight; Tokyo Midtown Garden 9-7-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Roppongi Stn. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. ¥1,100. Closed Tue. 03-3475-2121; www.2121designsight.jp

LATEST ART STORIES

Kanjiro Kawai's "Peacock Green Glazed Jar of Human Design" (1923)

Kanjiro Kawai: Pots of incredible talent: When The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, opened in 1963, it was gifted 45 craft pieces from its Tokyo counterpart. The Takashimaya department store advertising manager, Kenichi Kawakatsu (...

A rendering of Choi Jong Hwa's "Fruit Tree"

'Roppongi Art Night 2019': May 25-26 Roppongi Art Night, an annual overnight multi-disciplinary art event, is celebrating it's 10th anniversary of contemporary art, photography, design, music, video and performances — mos...

'Aguri Uchida: Incarnated Painting as Inselberg': May 20-June 16 In an exploration of the meaning of human existence and the human body, Aguri Uchida pushes the potential of contemporary nihonga (Japanese-style painting). This exhib...