In 2026, Art in Kansai Comes Alive. 5 Exhibitions You Don't Want to Miss (Gaudi, KYOTOGRAPHIE, Vermeer)

As the signs of spring approach, the blank spaces in my planner suddenly become busy.
Starting with the Gaudi exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of his death, the Kansai art scene is coming to life.

Once you head out into the city, photography festivals begin, and a little further ahead, the name Vermeer also appears.
From spring to autumn, exhibitions I'm interested in keep rewriting my schedule.

So, this time, I have listed just five exhibitions chosen based on my personal obsession.
These are all places I want to dive into with all five senses.

1. Gaudi 100th Anniversary Official Project: "NAKED meets Gaudi Exhibition"

Dates: April 17 - June 15
Venue: VS. (within Grand Green Osaka)

My premonition:
Something I want to see at least once in my life, but Barcelona is far away. I had come to terms with that regarding Gaudi. I never expected an exhibition that would "let me experience" his work to appear. In that light, I will surely be writhing with excitement.

2. We of the Cabinet of Curiosities, Perish. — Yasumasa Morimura, Kenji Yanobe, Miwa Yanagi —

Dates: April 25 - July 20
Venue: Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts

My premonition:
This is definitely going to be interesting. Putting these three together is like serving "curry, yakiniku, and ramen" on the same table at once. Each is the best on its own. But, I wonder if it's really okay to mix them. I am already seriously worried about whether I might get a stomachache from the mental exertion after finishing it all.

To be honest, this might be the one I'm looking forward to most this year.

3. KYOTOGRAPHIE 2026 Kyoto International Photography Festival

The season when photographs are quietly inserted into various places around the city.

Dates: April 18 - May 17
Venue: Various locations in Kyoto City

My premonition:
Every year, a "world I didn't know" is waiting for me here.
Familiar streets suddenly show a different expression. That sense of unease is the real thrill of this festival.
The problem is how many times I can visit. I want to take it on seriously while consulting my schedule.

4. Special Exhibition: "Tate — YBA & BEYOND: 90s British Art That Changed the World"

Dates: June 3 - September 6
Venue: Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art

My premonition:
Art from the 90s that rubbed the world the wrong way. Before logic, I want to face the skin-tingling stimulation directly at the museum. At the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, I can dive in with peace of mind... though, it might still be a little painful.

And at the end of summer, news that will make you straighten your posture is waiting.

5. Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" Exhibition

Dates: August 21 - September 27
Venue: Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts

My premonition:
The moment I saw this news, I let out a, 'Wait, really?' It is usually us who have to straighten up, cross the ocean, and pay a visit to such esteemed figures. I never imagined they would come to Japan again (is this the last time?). It is beyond an honor; I am truly humbled.

Summary

　What kind of scenery will unfold before us in 2026?
　Which piece, which space will become a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience?
　Every time I open my planner, a feeling of anticipation brushes against my heart, like a child before a field trip or someone waiting for a lover.
　Why not mark your own schedule as well?

　If there is an exhibition you have decided to attend, please let me know. Of course, I would love to hear about others beyond those listed above as well.