Nurturing the arts

The FOIL gallery draws much attention in the Kyoto art scene. Its representatives are involved in gallery management and art publishing while also producing exhibitions for artists. In the following interview, FOIL’s director Mr. Takei talks about its activities:

1. Moving from Tokyo to Kyoto
Many investors in Japanese art are not from Japan. In that case, why do we have to stay in Tokyo? Kyoto has a special spirit and ambiance, with few tall buildings and a feeling of serenity. There are many galleries that make use of Kyoto machiya (townhouses), although these buildings tend to place physical limitations on exhibitions. So, I look for Kyoto venues with high ceilings that allow showings of large artworks.

2. Exhibitions in Kennin-ji (temple)
As a curator, I’ve been in charge of exhibitions at Kennin-ji for the past three or four years during Golden Week (Japan’s holiday season in early May). Thus far, I’ve produced exhibitions for Yoshitomo Nara, Rinko Kawauchi, and Syoin Kajii (whose works were just on display at the FOIL gallery during this interview). Since temple facilities must be carefully protected to avoid damage, we have to use our ingenuity when exhibiting artworks, which becomes an enjoyable challenge.

3. About Syoin Kajii
Mr. Kajii applied for the FOIL award in 2004, and I chose him. Our collaboration has continued since then. I was intrigued that he takes photos while serving in his vocation as a priest at Sado Island. Now I am his business manager, too, and have helped him publish four photography books already.

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Maiko documentary
舞妓
Aburi-mochi
あぶり餅
Nurturing the arts
京都ギャラリー
Unique use of Kyoto bathhouses
銭湯表現
Jinrikisha(Rickshaw)
人力車
Electrical goods store
家電量販店
Food model
食品模型
Kaminari-mon
雷門
Ooedo Onsen Monogatari
大江戸温泉物語
Gundam 1/1
ガンダム1/1
Edomae Zushi
江戸前寿司
Traditional Japanese guest house
古民家ゲストハウス
Kachaashii
カチャーシー
Ryukyu Karate
琉球空手
Umi-budoh
海ぶどう
Lunch “A”
Aランチ
Japan
VOCALOID
Singapore
Hakuohki
Italy
Sengoku Muso
Japan
Inu x Boku SS
Toybox kawaii shop shows people power.
Natural kawaii with new balance for future fashion.
I want to become Hello Kitty, the icon of Japan.
Introducing Japan’s latest arts to the world.
OSAMU TEZUKA
creator of Japan’s manga and anime cultures
BRAIN WAVE CAT EARS
cutting-edge tech joins Japan’s “fetish” (moe) culture
ANIME PILGRIMAGE
a quest to visit locations relating to stories and characters
VACUUM TUBE HEADPHONES
a key item to bridge dreams and reality
Nambu ironware
南部鉄器
Japanese knives
包丁
ANREALAGE
アンリアレイジ
Elevator attendants
エレベーターアテンダント
TEMPURA
天婦羅
KAISEKI
懐石
SUSHI
寿司
RAMEN
ラーメン
Nerhol
HISASHI TENMYOUYA
TAKU OBATA
YAYOI KUSAMA
NIIHAMA TAIKO MATSURI
AWA ODORI
SANJA MATSURI
NACHI-NO-OGI MATSURI
SADO
茶道
IAI
居合
KARATEDO
空手
KENDO
剣道
KACCHU-SHI
甲冑師
FOOD MODEL CRAFTSMAN
食品サンプル職人
SUKIYA-DAIKU
数寄屋大工
SAMURAI AVATAR
侍アバター
FAMILY COMPUTER / NES
Family Computer / NES
PLAY STATION
PlayStation
SPACE INVADERS
SPACE INVADERS
GAME CREATOR
GAME CREATOR