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Pierre Anton
The first large-scale solo exhibition in Japan by artist Martin Margiela will be held at kudan house, a Registered Tangible Cultural Property, under the title MARTIN MARGIELA AT KUDAN HOUSE.
The artist likes the contrast of presenting his contemporary artwork in an historic residence, completed in 1927. The scenography shows a vast number of works, in an ephemeral installation, throughout the entire house.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Martin Margiela continues to explore his interest for the repurposed, the disaggregation, the transformation in which the human body remains an important source of inspiration.
Margiela's work emerges from a keen observation of everyday objects and situations, which often go unnoticed. The ordinary turns into something extraordinary.
The exhibition will show works in various techniques : collage, painting, drawing, sculpture, assemblage and video.
The choice of installing the exhibition in an old house, with traces of domestic life, reflects the atmosphere of privacy, dear to the artist.
Visitors are invited to discover the artworks in the complete intimacy of various rooms throughout the entire house.
Scenography and curation have been carried out by the artist.
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SELECTED WORKS_© MARTIN MARGIELA
FROM THE ARTIST
" Anonymity is essential to me in order to protect my privacy, vital for my creative freedom.
I still have the same interests and obsessions as I did during my time in fashion, but the human body is no longer my sole medium of expression".
" I am an observer since forever and common objects and situations highly inspire me. Even if it is obvious today to use technical assistance of all sorts, I love to insist on showing the process of the hand-crafted wherever I can. This explains my profound love for imperfection, patina and the beauty of the unfinished".
" I prefer to instill questions than to show answers”.
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kudan house
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION VENUE
The exhibition takes place at kudan house, a members-only business innovation hub housed within a Spanish-style Western residence completed in 1927. The building, formerly the Yamaguchi Mankichi Residence, has been renovated and is designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
This coming April, Martin Margiela is opting for reviving the private atmosphere of a family mansion.
Margiela himself, upon visiting kudan house, felt a strong resonance with its presence and atmosphere.
In 2000, he opened the world’s first Maison Martin Margiela store in a historic residence in Ebisu, Tokyo, exhibiting collections throughout the entire house, including bathrooms and kitchens.
A quarter of a century later, in 2026, he returns to Tokyo once again, choosing kudan
house—another historic residence—as the venue to present his work.
“ I am delighted to return to Tokyo and present my work in this house built in 1927. Just as in 2000, I hope visitors will encounter the works with in the intimate spaces of each room and experience a sense of surprise.” — Martin Margiela
ARTISTS INFORMATION
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Martin Margiela
Artist
b. 19571957 Born in Leuven (Belgium)
1980 Graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp
1984-1987 First assistant of Jean Paul Gaultier in Paris
1988 Founded Maison Martin Margiela in Paris, with Jenny Meirens, held his first show
1997-2003 Simultaneously, creative director of women's ready-to-wear at Hermès Paris
2008 Decided to quit fashion, after his 20th anniversary show, to focus exclusively on visual arts
2019 First group exhibition at Bielefeld Kunsthalle
2021 First solo exhibition at Lafayette Anticipations in Paris
2022 The Lafayette Anticipations exhibition opens at MWoods Beijing
2023 The Lafayette Anticipations exhibition opens at Lotte Museum in Seoul
2023 Solo show at Eenwerk Gallery in Amsterdam
2024 Solo shows at Bernier Eliades Galleries in Brussels and Athens
GALLERY INFORMATION
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rin art association
Gunma, Japan / est. 2010
rin art association はコレクターである原田崇人が2010年に設立した群馬県高崎市に所在する現代美術を中心に扱うギャラリー。群馬県内のオルタナティブスペースを中心に活動後、2017年1月に高崎駅近郊のスペースに移転。現在は「まえばしガレリア ギャラリー2」においても定期的に展覧会を開催。現代においての有効な「哲学」を追求し、美術史の文脈に有効に接続する概念的な作品を紹介しています。
- URL
- http://rinartassociation.com/
- 住所
- 群馬県高崎市岩押町5-24マクロビル
- Tel
- 027-387-0195
- 開館時間
- 11:00 — 19:00
- 休館日
- Mon・Tue
- 入館料
- 無料
EXHIBITION
ARTISTS
VENUE
- URL
- https://kudan.house/
- 住所
- 〒102-0073 Kudanshita-Kita 1-15-9, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- 開館時間
- 10:00 — 19:00
- 入館料
- 2,500円
- 備考
- HOURS ： 10:00〜19:00 (Last admission is at 18:00) ※On 2026/4/29 , Open untill 17:00 (Last admission is at 16:00)
NOTES
CREDITS
Organized by:Takahito Harada for rin art association
Co-organized by: Kudan house
With the cooperation of: Taka Ishii Gallery
Sponsor: JINS HOLDINGS Inc.
Production:Kiyoshi Kurotaki、Kornieieva Varvara、Yasushi Kurotaki
Production Support:Hi-Rock Design Office、Gensha Co., Ltd.、Katolec Co., Ltd.、Art Core Co., Ltd.、Kenzo Kasuya
Yasuyo Kido (Mori Art Museum)