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The exhibition Curators in Panic addresses the unpredictable realities of operating a contemporary art museum, presenting unique works by artist Yokoo Tadanori, who has continuously redefined painting since the 1980s. Rooted in the early 2020s — a period marked by the coronavirus crisis and logistical demands from the large-scale retrospective Genkyo Yokoo Tadanori — this show responds directly to the sudden absence of major holdings and the challenges of museum governance. Three participating curators, deeply familiar with the collection, selected their personal favorites not included in the tour, highlighting the profound existence of the artist’s full creative output. This perspective reflects the confusion of managing a cultural facility during a state of emergency. By adopting the curators’ viewpoint, visitors gain an opportunity to freely enjoy the viewing experience and rediscover the rich, constantly changing creative world of Yokoo Tadanori.Can anger and rage be justified in a world riddled with oppression and inequality? Are these emotions destructive forces or vital catalysts for social change? As democracy faces crises and populism gains ground globally, these questions have sparked renewed debate. Contemporary artists have responded, using their work to navigate and challenge the pressing issues of our time. The exhibition ‘Time for Outrage!’ in Düsseldorf explores these questions through six thematic blocks: Right-wing Shift, Trumpism, Protest, Postcolonialism, Feminism, and Discrimination. Across a diverse range of mediums — including installations, drawings, paintings, sculptures, photography, and video art — 40 international artists immerse viewers in the visceral realms of protest, social dissent, and public anger. The exhibition doesn’t just present anger as a raw emotion; it portrays it as a vehicle for dialogue, resistance, and empowerment in the face of systemic injustice. A substantial portion of the works on display come from the collection of entrepreneur and collector Florian Peters-Messer, whose commitment to socially engaged art amplifies the urgent messages these pieces convey.Requiem: Cats, Portraits explores artist Yokoo Tadanori’s profound connections with departed friends, family, and beloved cats, tracing his influential career from the 1960s to the present. Born in 1936, Yokoo’s artistic journey has always been shaped by deep personal relationships and collaborative endeavors across various creative fields. The exhibition features portraits and personal statements, alongside items like the Tama, Come Home series, dedicated to his late cat. Visitors will also see examples of his enduring friendship with designer Issey Miyake, including iconic invitation designs from the 1970s onwards. This unique presentation invites viewers to reflect on how cherished relationships transcend time, influencing an artist’s vision and offering a glimpse into a timeless “Yokoo World.”This innovative exhibition reimagines the traditional museum experience through the lens of dance and choreography, inviting audiences to become active participants in the artistic dialogue. It foregrounds the unpredictable interplay between viewer movement and static artworks, showcasing how personal histories, cultural contexts, and physical presence transform the museum into a living, dynamic space. By exploring the nuances of how we look at and engage with art, the exhibition challenges visitors to reflect on their own movement and interactions within the gallery. This exhibition is a thought-provoking exploration of the embodied experience of art, making the viewer an integral part of the creative narrative.Yokoo Tadanori’s Game of Life transforms the artist’s remarkable journey into an interactive board game, inviting visitors to experience his extensive artistic world firsthand. Born in 1936, Yokoo Tadanori has navigated a career spanning decades, marked by a philosophy that embraces destiny and chance. The exhibition explores how his art reflects life’s unpredictable path, where outcomes are often left to fate, much like reaching the “Finish” square in a game. Through this engaging format, featuring the visionary artist’s work, the exhibition encourages reflection on the interplay of choice and fortune in shaping creative expression and individual trajectories. Visitors will gain a fresh perspective on his unique artistic vision and the unpredictable nature of life itself.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUaqYIt9ihM&rel=0&autoplay=0&controls=1
Requiem: Cats, Portraits, and Yokoo Tadanori
Requiem: Cats, Portraits, and Yokoo Tadanori
Requiem: Cats, Portraits, and Yokoo Tadanori
Requiem: Cats, Portraits, and Yokoo Tadanori
Requiem: Cats, Portraits, and Yokoo Tadanori
Requiem: Cats, Portraits, and Yokoo Tadanori
Requiem: Cats, Portraits, and Yokoo Tadanori
18+
Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art Arts | Culture | Philosophy

Requiem: Cats, Portraits, and Yokoo Tadanori

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Original Exhibition Title: レクイエム 猫と肖像と一人の画家
Japan Kobe 2024 17 Japanese Japanese, English
Artistic ResearchContemporary ArtCultural MemoryDaily LifeHumanismIndividual and Collective in ArtMuseum Engagement

All rights and copyrights to the film are held by the producer: Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art, Kobe, Japan.

For any legal inquiries, please contact the museum directly.

excoursio does not hold any copyright; it merely shares the original film material to support wider access and the dissemination of knowledge.

In a nutshell

Requiem: Cats, Portraits explores artist Yokoo Tadanori’s profound connections with departed friends, family, and beloved cats, tracing his influential career from the 1960s to the present. Born in 1936, Yokoo’s artistic journey has always been shaped by deep personal relationships and collaborative endeavors across various creative fields. The exhibition features portraits and personal statements, alongside items like the Tama, Come Home series, dedicated to his late cat. Visitors will also see examples of his enduring friendship with designer Issey Miyake, including iconic invitation designs from the 1970s onwards. This unique presentation invites viewers to reflect on how cherished relationships transcend time, influencing an artist’s vision and offering a glimpse into a timeless “Yokoo World.”

Why should you watch this?

The film Requiem: Cats, Portraits speaks to the need to keep memories alive in a time when loss touches many lives. Yokoo Tadanori’s portraits of friends, family, and his late cat Tama are not only records of affection but also reminders of how relationships shape creative vision. The display of Issey Miyake’s invitations alongside Yokoo’s drawings captures the energy of a friendship that spanned decades, showing how personal ties can fuel artistic innovation. Moving between private recollection and shared cultural history, the work invites viewers to consider how love, grief, and memory continue to shape the world we inhabit.

Curator

Megumi Hirabayashi

Bio

Megumi Hirabayashi is curator at the Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art, Kobe. She previously worked at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, and with Gifu Prefectural Museum Hida. Hirabayashi plays a central role in managing Yokoo’s archives, selecting both finished and in-process works for exhibition, and she champions displays that reveal not only Yokoo’s iconic finished pieces but also his sketches, idea notebooks, and lesser-seen creative material.

All films Last updated: 15/09/2025

Artist

Tadanori Yokoo

Bio

Tadanori Yokoo (born 1936 in Nishiwaki, Hyogo, Japan) is a celebrated Japanese graphic designer, illustrator, printmaker, and painter, widely recognized as one of Japan’s most influential contemporary artists. After a successful career in graphic design in the 1960s and 70s, where he gained international acclaim for his psychedelic, pop art-infused posters and album covers, he shifted his focus to painting in 1981. Yokoo’s work is characterized by its vibrant colors, intricate collages, and a unique blend of Japanese tradition with Western influences, often exploring themes of mysticism, the subconscious, and the human condition. His diverse career and unconventional approach have left an indelible mark on both Japanese and international art.

All films Last updated: 15/09/2025
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