Onsite-Studies & Research
Japanese Creative Center (JCC)”
HISTORY
​I came across this center while doing some online research, so I went to their website. From there, I learned that the center's goal was to introduce and expose people to Japanese culture and that it provides a range of events so they can become involved and fully immerse themselves in learning about and appreciating Japanese culture. The center organises galleries presenting the works of Japanese artists or exhibitions with themes related to the contemporary art movement in Japan. Additionally, the amenities offered enable those interested in learning more about the culture to do so in an immersive setting.
JOURNEY
Deciding to visit the center itself, I scheduled and looked up for exhibitions available for an opportunity to go. The exhibitions available on the date I decided to go was the:
TOKYO☆Neo Duo Exhibition
~Tradition and Innovation~
An Exhibition by HIROYUKI MATSUURA ・ SHIGEKI HAYASHI and
other upcoming Japanese Contemporary Artists
This trip was undoubtedly useful because it increased my understanding of and perspective on Japanese art. I also had the opportunity to tour the center's library, which was filled with a wide range of resources for learning about Japanese language and culture, including audio books, printed books, recordings, and DVDs.
This exhibition was by the center as an embassy of Japan in Singapore and Takashimaya, with the Takashimaya Art Department organizing this event in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the opening of Takashimaya Singapore.
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During my visit, the gallery displayed a variety of pieces by each individual contemporary Japanese artist. I was able to admire and examine each piece of art while reading about the artist's history and how success came about. I also read about how the pandemic had an enormous impact on Japanese art, never forgetting its significance.
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My favourite artwork was “Mer Baby “, one from Matsuura Hiroyuki. It was eye catching and mesmerizing, I couldn’t take my eyes off that work even after I moved on to the next exhibits.
​In his works, Hiroyuki Matsuura includes elements of the Japanese manga culture that are now well-known throughout the world. These works are incredibly well-liked not just in Japan but also throughout Asia. Matsuura's works are more than just manga; they recreate the decorativeness and flatness that define Japanese ukiyoe and nihonga in the present. His paintings satirize a range of social themes (such as racism, gender inequality, technology, culture, and conflict), use characters as stand-ins for other languages, and explore the limits of artistic expression.
Additionally, there were also several works showcased by artists like Yuki Inoue, Naoki Onogawa, Shingo Suzuki, Yoshimasa Tsuchiya, Hiroshi Furuyoshi, Kotaro Hoshiyama and Fuyuki Maehara.