“From Cage to Ryoji Ikeda: The Trajectory of Contemporary Art” is currently being held at Gallery Shirakawa in Gion, Kyoto (10/10-11/9)

“From Cage to Ryoji Ikeda: The Path of Contemporary Art” Currently on display at Gallery Shirakawa in Gion, Kyoto (10/10-11/9) ​
Gallery Shirakawa LLC Press Release: October 22, 2025 “From Cage to Ryoji Ikeda: The Trajectory of Contemporary Art” currently on view at Kyoto Gallery Shirakawa (October 10th – November 9th) Exhibiting works ranging from Duchamp and Cage to American Minimalist art, Conceptual art, Pop art, Japanese Gutai, and media art by Ryoji Ikeda From October 10th to November 9th, the exhibition “From Cage to Ryoji Ikeda: The Trajectory of Contemporary Art” is being held at Kyoto Gallery Shirakawa. The exhibition traces the ever-expanding trajectory of contemporary art since Cage, showcasing works from the gallery’s collection, ranging from Marcel Duchamp and John Cage to American Minimal, Conceptual, and Pop Art, as well as Japanese Gutai and media artist Ryoji Ikeda. In 1952, John Cage’s “4’33” was released, expanding art into new realms. John Cage (1912-1982), an avant-garde artist who influenced a wide range of artists as a musician, composer, and experimental musician, is known for his aleatoric music and visual art, which utilize chance operations. Gallery Shirakawa has presented Cage’s visual art in seven exhibitions of new works and a memorial exhibition. In 2000, Gallery Shirakawa published a booklet titled “The Visual Art of Cage,” and continued to introduce Cage’s artworks to Japan and exhibit them in public art museums during his lifetime.
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John Cage (1912-1992) Global Village 37-48 1989 Monotype aquatint W66.6×H90cm Sol Lewitt (1928-2007), known for his conceptual art, focused on elements such as grit, color, and line. These concepts remained consistent throughout his creative career. This exhibition features works that focus on grit and color. Other works on display include those by world-class masters, such as minimalist artist Robert Mangold (1937-) and color painter Sam Francis (1923-1994), whose style draws on Abstract Expressionism. From Japan, we will be showcasing Gutai. Known for his bold foot paintings, Kazuo Shiraga (1924-2008) will be showcasing works from his “Kazuo Shiraga Print Collection,” which was exhibited at Gallery Shirakawa in 1992. Matsutani Takesada (1937-), who lives in Paris, will exhibit his 2024 works from the new fan works he has presented every year at the “Japanese Modern: From Edo to the Present” Contemporary Art Fan Exhibition (held from 2005 to 2025) organized by Gallery Shirakawa. Also, Ryoji Ikeda (1966- ), who works and creates in Paris and Kyoto, continues to expand the possibilities of art by crossing the boundaries of hearing and vision, earning acclaim both in Japan and abroad, will be making his debut at Gallery Shirakawa. He is a notable artist in the field of media art, having exhibited internationally and received the 70th Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Art Encouragement Prize (Media Arts Division) in 2020. This exhibition features Ryoji Ikeda’s “4’33”, an art piece that responds to Cage’s musical compositions.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/147340/8/147340-8-69ac7902da2033a7dcf392666620c99f-1600×1527.jpg Ikeda Ryoji Ryoji Ikeda(1966 – ) 4’33” 2010 framed 16mm film W92.5×H88.0×D2.7cm In addition, “SMS 1968” is a group of works that Gallery Shirakawa has previously exhibited three times (1990, 2014, and 2019). This conceptual art collection was created over the course of a year in 1968 by 73 New York-based artists. This exhibition features selected works by Duchamp, Cage, Man Ray, Lichtenstein, Christo, Yoko Ono, Bruce Nauman, La Monte Young, and Terry Riley. This is a rare opportunity to see early works by artists now considered masters of contemporary art.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/147340/8/147340-8-a7b2b4052e077e3f600822a539dac54e-2758×2028.jpg Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968) Dada and Surrealist painter and poet. A seven-minute recording of Duchamp reading his work “Contre-Pétrine.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/147340/8/147340-8-40450650c436723a0c3f6983373abea1-3900×2194.jpg Terry Riley (1935-) American composer and avant-garde musician. “Poppy Nogoods All Night Flight (The First Ascent)” is a cassette tape recording of a performance of this piece, which took place at the Philadelphia College of Art from 10:00 PM on November 17, 1967, to 6:30 AM the following morning. The cover drawing was created by Terry Riley’s daughter, Colleen, who was 9 years old at the time. John Cage Marcel Duchamp Man Ray Ray Bruce Nauman Yoko Ono Roy Lichtenstein Sol Lewitt Robert Mangold Christo La Monte Young Young Terry Riley Sam Francis Kazuo Shiraga Takesada Matsutani Ryoji Ikeda and more During the exhibition, a booklet on John Cage’s works (published by Gallery Shirakawa, A4, 32 pages, color) and “Beyond 35 Years” (published by Gallery Shirakawa, A4, 46 pages, color), which features SMS works as well as works by Sol LeWitt and R. Mangold, will also be on sale. 〈Exhibition Information〉
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/147340/8/147340-8-ebabb77f2893574971684201521eac65-3900×1853.jpg Venue photo From Cage to Ryoji Ikeda – The Trajectory of Contemporary Art Venue: Gallery Shirakawa Location: 430-1 Kamibentencho,
Shimokawahara, Gion, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto Dates: Friday, October 10, 2025 – November 9th (Sunday) Time: 12:00 – 18:00 Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays *Closed on November 3rd (Monday holiday) Click here for exhibition information
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/147340/8/147340-8-28b7b2a10a4c014d16e23a04b77c9b74-1395×1982.jpg John Cage’s Visual Art: A Commentary on His Works A4, 32 pages / Color [ Gallery Shirakawa] Price including tax: 2,750 yen (Contents) Includes 43 works in full color / Commentary on techniques, creative concepts, etc. / A list of Cage’s prints Online Store: https://gshirakawa.theshop.jp/items/102658539
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/147340/8/147340-8-9d81f0465e7aea1df003cfb4e40ae327-796×789.jpg More Than 35 Years [ Gallery Shirakawa] A4, 46 pages / Color [ Gallery Shirakawa] Price including tax: ¥2,200 (Contents) This book is published to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Gallery Shirakawa, which has continued to introduce Cage’s visual art, which practices the art of chance, to Japan. It features many of the artists featured in this exhibition, including Sol LeWitt, Mangold, Kazuo Shiraga, and Sadatake Matsutani, and includes detailed commentary, archives, and artist anecdotes. Cover / Cage “THE MISSING STONE” (partial image) Online Store:
https://gshirakawa.theshop.jp/items/102658564 Gallery Shirakawa Official Homepage https://www.galleryshirakawa.com GALLERY SHIRAKAWA Gallery Shirakawa Business Hours: 12:00-18:00 (May change depending on exhibition period) Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays (open on public holidays) 430-1 Kamibentencho, Shimokawahara, Gion, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0822 TEL 075-532-2616 ( 81-75-532-2616) FAX 075-532-2617 ( 81-75-532-2617) E-mail info@galleryshirakawa.com URL
https://www.galleryshirakawa.co