The Great Neon Exhibition - FIND NEW WAVE - @ TOKYO TOWER GALLERY [Recommended Exhibition Introduction]

From the exhibitions I have visited, I will provide a compact introduction to the highlights of those I recommend. Here is the one I am introducing this time.

The Great Neon Exhibition - FIND NEW WAVE -

▍Summary of things to know before entering the venue

• Photography: Both video and still images are allowed for all works.

• Admission Reservation: Not required

• Exhibition Changes: None during the period

• Audio Guide: None

• Exhibition Catalog: None

• Other: The gallery is located inside Tokyo Tower's Foot Town. You can enter for free without a ticket for the observation deck.

▍What kind of exhibition is it?

The "Great Neon Exhibition" is an exhibition of neon art.

Neon signs are gradually disappearing from the streets at night, pushed out by the wave of LED technology. In this exhibition, neon works created through collaborations between artists from various genres, such as contemporary artists, graphic designers, and fashion designers, are displayed to revive neon from an "industry" into "art".

▍3 "highlights" of the exhibition I felt after seeing it in person

1. Retro yet new, bathe in the charm of neon that is different from LED.

There are many large neon works at the venue! It is neon as far as the eye can see all around.

Neon signs are being replaced by LEDs. In fact, there are few opportunities to see the real thing, aren't there?

When you look closely, the gas sealed inside the glass tube emits light, and the light flickers and moves within the transparent tube, allowing you to feel a mysterious, living charm that is different from LED light.

2. Collaboration between artists and craftsmen! Surprised by the delicate workmanship too!

The neon lights in this venue were designed by various creators and brought to life by neon artisans.

For example, the 'Boso Tokyo' collaboration project between the NFT avatar project BŌSŌ TOKYO and Aoi Neon features a striking, all-red logo in neon.

When you look closely, you will be amazed by the precise craftsmanship used to recreate the characters. Manually bending thin, hollow glass tubes to create intricate parts is truly the work of a skilled artisan...

In addition to this, designs that make the most of neon's brightness—sometimes pop, sometimes cyber-inspired—are recreated in neon.

3. Collaborations with movies, AR, and merchandise are also fun.

The venue also features a collaboration neon sign for the movie 'A Light Never Goes Out,' which is set in Hong Kong.

Furthermore, there is a feature called 'Pop-up Neon' that combines actual neon with AR.

At the 'TTA STORE' on the 2nd floor of Tokyo Tower Foot Town, where the gallery is located, merchandise related to this exhibition was also on sale, much like a museum shop.

There were even bath towels for 'bathing in neon' and original tin badges. You can enjoy neon in various ways, can't you?

▍Personal Top Pick

My personal top pick in this exhibition is the work by illustrator Chunko Harawata.

Harawata is an artist who creates 'neon paintings' inspired by foreign aesthetics and Japanese back alleys. In this exhibition, flat and three-dimensional neon works in the style of Inari shrines are on display.

In the flat works, her own neon-style illustrations are layered with actual neon signs, giving the pieces a sense of depth.

Also, on the left and right, there are two Inari statues inside acrylic cases. These are also combined with illustrations and are quite cute.

Neon signs are a bit retro and charming. Please be sure to visit the venue and experience the appeal of the real neon signs for yourself.