Exhibition Review: "Dumb Type | 2022: remap" (Japan Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale Return Exhibition), "Enjoying Art: Seeing, Feeling, Learning," and "Ishibashi Foundation Collection Selection: Special Feature - Letters from Painters" at the Artizon Museum

I visited the special exhibition (Dumb Type) and the permanent exhibition currently being held at the Artizon Museum (Kyobashi, Tokyo). Here are my thoughts.

In conclusion, I was very satisfied. My honest impression of the special exhibition is that it is "hard to describe," but the reasons for my rating are: 1) the high quality of the permanent exhibition, 2) the design of the Artizon Museum itself, which is always easy to navigate and wonderful whenever I visit, and 3) the low price of 1,200 yen for both the special and permanent exhibitions. I give it a 4-star recommendation.
While it may lack the punch of contemporary art, I think people who don't often have the opportunity to experience art will find their interest in it growing after spending quality time here.

About the Artizon Museum

The museum displays art pieces primarily collected by Shojiro Ishibashi, who founded the Bridgestone Corporation. The museum underwent an innovative renovation in 2019.
It is located between Kyobashi Station and Nihombashi Station, making it easily accessible.
This was my second visit since the renovation, and I realized once again that it is among my favorite museums.
● Architecture and views from inside the building that are reminiscent of MoMA in New York
● High-quality permanent collection
● Optimal space for viewing (sofas provided), spacing between works, and number of exhibits
● Kind and attentive gallery attendants
● Thoughtful and detailed design throughout, such as coinless lockers
▲ I hope they can accommodate umbrella keys by adding double rings or strings (to attach to carabiners)
Regardless of what the special exhibition is, I highly recommend visiting this museum.

6th Floor: "Dumb Type | 2022: remap" (Japan Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale Return Exhibition)

This is an exhibition by "Dumb Type," which was selected to represent Japan at the Venice Biennale (one of the world's leading contemporary art festivals held in Venice every two years).
"Dumb Type" is a Japanese art unit without fixed members. Recently, Ryuichi Sakamoto joined as a new project member and provided a one-hour musical piece.
Since Shojiro Ishibashi began donating to the Venice Biennale as an individual in 1956, and the foundation has continued to support it since, the Artizon Museum holds this return exhibition. For someone like me who loves visiting museums, this is an initiative that makes me love Bridgestone even more.

To be honest, I "don't really understand" the "Dumb Type" exhibition.
Red text and other images are projected by lasers and LEDs in a pitch-black space, and sounds that are barely audible flow from speakers and woofers throughout the gallery.
Since pamphlets are placed at the exit, I assume they want visitors to cherish that feeling of "not really understanding."
The serene, digital, sharp, and kinetic exhibition plunges you into a strange sensation far removed from daily life. It feels like the world of "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" or "Ghost in the Shell," and it might be perfect as "Cool Japan" exported from Japan to the world.
However, if you ask me if I gained any insight from it, the answer is NO, but I felt that the harvest was the experience of sharpening a unique and mysterious sensation.

5th Floor: Enjoying Art - Seeing, Feeling, Learning

There are 75 pieces in total, and every single one is a masterpiece that you have likely heard of at least once. It is rare to find a permanent exhibition that you can enjoy no matter how many times you visit.
In addition to the regular list of works, there are color-printed booklets placed for every three sections. The content of these booklets is very substantial and extremely helpful for understanding.
Besides the Artizon Museum, other permanent exhibitions I like in Tokyo includeThe National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo and Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo.

4th Floor: Ishibashi Foundation Collection Selection Special Feature: Painters' Letters

The 4th floor is an extension of the 5th floor, with the final room titled "Painters' Letters," featuring actual letters and works related to them (85 items in total across the floor).
Like the permanent exhibition on the 5th floor, the display design is easy to view and the selection is impressive.
The curation of "Painters' Letters" after the COVID-19 pandemic is also timely.

Summary

What did you think? To be honest, I didn't quite understand the special exhibition, but it provided an extraordinary experience. I was very satisfied with the permanent exhibition, including the quality of the displayed works and the museum's spatial design.
Since the museum is not very well-known, it is not crowded and is very comfortable.
I highly recommend this museum to both people in the Kanto region and those visiting Tokyo for sightseeing!

Supplementary Information