Welcome to the world of fantasy! Osamu Watanabe's Museum of Cute Sweets" at Niimi Art Museum, Okayama, starting 7/20

Osamu Watanabe, an artist who creates installations and contemporary art works using colorful and elaborate creams, candies, and fruits that look just like the real thing, will hold the exhibition "Osamu Watanabe Museum of Cute Sweets" at Niimi Art Museum (Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture) from July 20 (Sat), 2012.

Exhibited work "Sweet Cat

For a special summer vacation experience! Osamu Watanabe presents a cute and fantastic world

Osamu Watanabe, a contemporary artist, is known for his works decorated with plenty of cream and fruits. Candy and macaroons that look just like the real thing but cannot be eaten, ice cream and chocolate that never melt.

Fake sweets made of resin fill the museum's exhibition rooms. With the theme of "Cute," this exhibition presents a fantastical world of an aquarium of sweets, a forest of sweets, and a diorama of confectionery. Please enjoy this sweet and happy space for a special memory of your summer vacation.

Related Events

Osamu Watanabe Opening Talk

Date & Time: Saturday, July 20, 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Cost: Free (ticket required) Reservations not required

Osamu Watanabe Autograph Session

Date & Time: July 20 (Sat) 11:10 - 11:40

Osamu Watanabe autograph session will be held after the opening talk for those who have purchased books or Osamu Watanabe related goods.

Osamu Watanabe Workshop "Lots of chocolate! Let's make donut straps!

Date & Time: Saturday, July 20, from 14:00

Fee: 500 yen (ticket required) [Capacity: 20 people

To register, please contact TEL: 0867-72-7851 or art@ex.city.niimi.okayama.jp

Gallery Talk by curator

Date & Time: August 4 (Sun) & 24 (Sat), 13:30 -

Cost: Free (ticket required) Reservations not required

Niimi Art Museum Website

https://niimi-museum.or.jp

Comment by Osamu Watanabe

This will be my first solo exhibition in Okayama in 12 years since my first solo exhibition at Ohara Museum of Art in 2012. I am very happy to be able to hold another solo exhibition in Okayama Prefecture, and I am glad that I have been an artist for so long.

This time, under the title of "Museum of Cute Sweets," a fantastical space dedicated to cute is spreading. In this world of war, recession, and other unsettling news, I want the world of my works to be a world of dreams. We hope you will make wonderful memories of your summer vacation at the museum filled with cute sweets.

About Osamu Watanabe

Osamu Watanabe graduated from Tokyo Zokei University in 2003 with a degree in design.

He has been featured in many media such as "Tokyo Kawaii TV" (NHK) and "Tetsuko's Room Special" (TV Asahi) as a leading artist who sublimated the sweet decorating technique into art. His works have attracted attention not only in Japan but also overseas, with solo exhibitions held in China, Indonesia, Italy, Belgium, Turkey, the U.S., Korea, and other countries. He has also published books and collections of his works, and his works are in the collections of nine museums in Japan, including the Ohara Museum of Art and the Kasama Nichido Art Museum.

Osamu Watanabe's website: http://watanabeosamu.tokyo

Outline of the exhibition

Dates: July 20 (Sat) - September 8 (Sun), 2024 *Closed on Mondays (but open on August 12 (Mon))

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Admission until 4:30 p.m.)

Venue: Niimi Art Museum

　　　361 Nishikata, Niimi, Okayama 718-0017

Admission

Adult/900 (800) yen

University students / 500 (400) yen

Junior high and high school students / 300 (250) yen

Elementary school student / 200(150)yen

Prices in parentheses ( ) are group rates for groups of 15 or more, and other discount rates.

Discounts are available for disabled persons with a physical disability certificate and up to one accompanying person. Disability ID application "Mirailo ID" can be used.

Free admission for elementary and junior high school students in Niimi City with "Kokoro Fureai Passport".

*Free admission for elementary school students with "Takahashi River Watershed Passport" on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays.

Sponsor: Niimi City, Niimi City Board of Education, Niimi Art Museum, TSC TV Setouchi

Cooperation ：Watanabe Osamu Atelier

Supported By：Okayama Prefecture, Okayama Prefecture Local Culture Foundation, Sanyo Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun,

　　　　　The Asahi Shimbun Okayama Bureau, The Mainichi Shimbun Okayama Bureau, The Yomiuri Shimbun Okayama Bureau,

　　　　　The Chugoku Shimbun Bingo Head Office, Niimi City Cultural Federation, Kibi Cable TV,

　　　　　Bihoku Shimbun, Niimi City Tourism Association, Niimi Public University, Niimi High School Alumni Association

Special sponsor: Sanbiden Corporation, established 77 years ago