Immersive multimedia Gustav Klimt exhibition held in Tokyo
Austrian painter Gustav Klimt has earned himself a spot among the greatest artists of all time, but I always appreciated that the guy really knew the value of comfort and spent most of his later life in a robe with little else.
Unfortunately, to get a good look at his work, one usually has to travel to Austria, but a new exhibit in Tokyo is giving us an unprecedented way to enjoy it. Klimt Alive projects several of his pieces onto floors, walls, and objects up to seven meters (23 feet) high, moving and accompanied by lights and music.
The spacious venue springs to life as Klimt's masterpieces, such as The Kiss , Judith I , and Death and Life, flow throughout it. Photography and video are allowed inside, so our writer Anji Tabata was able to share a look at it when she visited earlier this month.
She was marveled by the flowing changes in themes, both in the sights and sounds in the room. Rather than walking among the art, she felt as if she were being pulled into it.
The layout of the screens, all at different angles, allowed her to view the works from different perspectives at the same time while standing still. She could appreciate the nuances in each piece much better this way, but walking around only amplified the sensory experience that felt like a daydream.
There are also two areas with stationary displays that are good for having your own picture taken in. The first one is based on Klimt's Tree of Life and shows the titular tree's branches spreading all along the walls of this room with starkly contrasting lighting. Anji felt the space had a solemn, church-like vibe to it.
The other area was based on The Kiss , and had a more dazzling display of bright colors and flowers.
Anji also felt this exhibit captured Klimt's use of sensuality and light and used those effectively for intoxicating displays that made her lose track of time.
Images even floated around on the floor at times.
While the complete immersion was entrancing, Anji also wanted to warn people who, like her, suffer from motion sickness. All the moving images may trigger feelings of nausea, but she recommends not looking at the floor so much to avoid getting queasy.
But if it's still too much, you can just duck into the gift shop for more static delights. Some of our writer's favorite items were a tin of cookies made in cooperation with Cafe Tanaka in Nagoya, a feline-themed Cat Can Soap, and many items featuring Klimt-san, a cartoonized version of Klimt himself, robe and all.
▼ You can see Klimt-san on the right of the bottom shelf.
There's even a QR code that allows you to access AR versions of Klimt-san doing various activities like playing with cats, much like the real Klimt who often enjoyed the company of cats.
All in all, Anji felt the Klimt Alive exhibit was breathtaking and something even people with only a vague knowledge of him can enjoy. Be sure to check it out at Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall in Chuo, Tokyo, before it ends on 5 October.
Event Information Klimt Alive / クリムト・アライブ Address: Tokyo-to, Chuo-ku, Nihonbashimuromachi 2-2-1, Coredo Muromachi 1 5F Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall 東京都中央区日本橋室町二丁目2番1号COREDO室町1 5F 日本橋三井ホール Open: 18 July – 5 October, 2025 Admission: Adult – 3,000 yen, University/High School Student – 2,000 yen, Junior High/Elementary Student – 1,500, Pre-School – Free
Website
Photos © SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
SoraNews24
03-08-2025
- SoraNews24
Immersive multimedia Gustav Klimt exhibition held in Tokyo
Toss on a loose-fitting robe and head on down. Austrian painter Gustav Klimt has earned himself a spot among the greatest artists of all time, but I always appreciated that the guy really knew the value of comfort and spent most of his later life in a robe with little else. Unfortunately, to get a good look at his work, one usually has to travel to Austria, but a new exhibit in Tokyo is giving us an unprecedented way to enjoy it. Klimt Alive projects several of his pieces onto floors, walls, and objects up to seven meters (23 feet) high, moving and accompanied by lights and music. The spacious venue springs to life as Klimt's masterpieces, such as The Kiss , Judith I , and Death and Life, flow throughout it. Photography and video are allowed inside, so our writer Anji Tabata was able to share a look at it when she visited earlier this month. She was marveled by the flowing changes in themes, both in the sights and sounds in the room. Rather than walking among the art, she felt as if she were being pulled into it. The layout of the screens, all at different angles, allowed her to view the works from different perspectives at the same time while standing still. She could appreciate the nuances in each piece much better this way, but walking around only amplified the sensory experience that felt like a daydream. There are also two areas with stationary displays that are good for having your own picture taken in. The first one is based on Klimt's Tree of Life and shows the titular tree's branches spreading all along the walls of this room with starkly contrasting lighting. Anji felt the space had a solemn, church-like vibe to it. The other area was based on The Kiss , and had a more dazzling display of bright colors and flowers. Anji also felt this exhibit captured Klimt's use of sensuality and light and used those effectively for intoxicating displays that made her lose track of time. Images even floated around on the floor at times. While the complete immersion was entrancing, Anji also wanted to warn people who, like her, suffer from motion sickness. All the moving images may trigger feelings of nausea, but she recommends not looking at the floor so much to avoid getting queasy. But if it's still too much, you can just duck into the gift shop for more static delights. Some of our writer's favorite items were a tin of cookies made in cooperation with Cafe Tanaka in Nagoya, a feline-themed Cat Can Soap, and many items featuring Klimt-san, a cartoonized version of Klimt himself, robe and all. ▼ You can see Klimt-san on the right of the bottom shelf. There's even a QR code that allows you to access AR versions of Klimt-san doing various activities like playing with cats, much like the real Klimt who often enjoyed the company of cats. All in all, Anji felt the Klimt Alive exhibit was breathtaking and something even people with only a vague knowledge of him can enjoy. Be sure to check it out at Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall in Chuo, Tokyo, before it ends on 5 October. Event Information Klimt Alive / クリムト・アライブ Address: Tokyo-to, Chuo-ku, Nihonbashimuromachi 2-2-1, Coredo Muromachi 1 5F Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall 東京都中央区日本橋室町二丁目2番1号COREDO室町1 5F 日本橋三井ホール Open: 18 July – 5 October, 2025 Admission: Adult – 3,000 yen, University/High School Student – 2,000 yen, Junior High/Elementary Student – 1,500, Pre-School – Free Website Photos © SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! [ Read in Japanese ]
Yomiuri Shimbun
19-06-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Alfred Brendel, Pianist Renowned for Refined Playing of Beethoven, Dies at Age 94
AP file photo Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel performs at the piano with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at the Lucerne Festival in Lucerne, Switzerland on Sept. 5, 2006. LONDON (AP) — Alfred Brendel, a pianist and poet renowned for his refined playing of Beethoven over a six-decade career, died Tuesday at his home in London. He was 94. Brendel's death was announced by the public relations agency Bolton & Quinn. Born in what is now the Czech Republic, Brendel gave his first recital in Graz, Austria, in 1948 at age 17. His final concert was with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein on Dec. 18, 2008. 'I grew up in a family that was not musically inclined, not artistically inclined and not intellectual, so I had to find out a lot of things for myself,' he said in a 2012 interview for the Verbier Festival. 'I was a young person who in the early 20s did not think I have to achieve something within five years but I thought I would like to be able to do certain things when I'm 50. And when I was 50 I said to myself I have actually done most of the things I want to do.' Brendel also was praised for his interpretations of Mozart, Schubert, Liszt and Haydn. He recorded the 32 Beethoven piano sonatas three times, and he played them over a month at New York's Carnegie Hall in 1983, among 77 recitals in 11 cities during the 1982-83 season. He repeated the sonatas again at Carnegie over three seasons in the 1990s. 'With winks to the audience and demonstrative hand movements, he has a playful manner that offsets his serious, contemplative interpretations,' The Associated Press wrote during the 1990s cycle. Born on Jan. 5, 1931, in Wiesenberg, northern Moravia, Brendel studied piano in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, with Sofia Dezelic and then at the Graz Conservatory with Ludovika von Kaan. He also took composition lessons with Artur Michl. His studies were interrupted when he and his mother fled as the Russian army invaded during World War II. 'When I turned 16, my piano teacher told me I should now continue on my own and give a first public recital,' he recalled during a lecture after his retirement. 'I should also audition for the great Swiss pianist Edwin Fischer, which I did the following year. Three of his masterclasses that I attended during the Lucerne festivals made an impact that lasts to this day. I also met Eduard Steuermann, the pupil of Busoni and Schoenberg. Apart from these encounters, I studied on my own.' Brendel had lived in London since 1971. He received 10 Grammy nominations without winning. He wrote several books, including a collection of poems called 'Cursing Bagels.' 'I used to live a double life,' he said in a 2012 interview with the Verbier Festival. 'I'm also a literary person lecturing, giving readings of my poems and teaching.'
Japan Today
16-06-2025
- Japan Today
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carrie-Anne Moss make magic in 'Fubar' season 2
FILE PHOTO: Cast members Arnold Schwarzenegger, Fabiana Udenio, Monica Barbaro, Barbara Eve Harris, Fortune Feimster, Aparna Brielle, Travis Van Winkle, Carrie-Anne Moss and Milan Carter attend a premiere for season 2 of the television series FUBAR in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 11, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni By Danielle Broadway Austrian and American actor Arnold Schwarzenegger had to admit that it took him a lot of practice to nail the tango scene with Canadian actor Carrie-Anne Moss for season 2 of the Netflix action-comedy series "Fubar." "We practiced. We practiced a lot, and she didn't need as much practice as I did, but I really practiced," the former California governor told Reuters. The "Terminator" actor recalled doing the first take for the dance scene and impressing everyone with how ready they were. "They just thought we were rehearsing, but they did not know that we were that prepared for the whole thing," Schwarzenegger said with a smile. "Fubar" season 2, created by Nick Santora and produced by Skydance Television and Blackjack Films, premiered on Netflix last Thursday. The story follows Luke Brunner, played by Schwarzenegger and his daughter Emma, played by Monica Barbaro, who are both CIA operatives. Their fellow CIA team members include Barry Putt, played by Milan Carter, Boro Polonia, played by Gabriel Luna, Roo Russell, played by Fortune Feimster and Aldon Reese, portrayed by Travis Van Winkle. In season 2, Brunner is back to working with his CIA team, but things take an unexpected turn when he encounters his ex-lover Greta Nelson, played by Carrie-Anne Moss. Greta is a former East German spy who ends up going up against Brunner in both the tango and a tussling battle. "Most of my scenes are with Arnold, so we developed this incredible friendship," Carrie-Anne said. Schwarzenegger humorously recalled the "Matrix" actor bringing what he dubbed as "secret oil" to the set and putting it behind his ears before shooting a scene. "Peppermint oil. I'm a big peppermint oil or just essential oil person," Carrie-Anne clarified. "It was like some magic power because as soon as she smeared the stuff behind my ears, I mean it was like 'pum!' and we were kind of out of the gate doing our scenes in the most perfect way," Schwarzenegger added. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
