olafur eliasson exhibition inaugurates heatherwick studio’s azabudai hills gallery in tokyo

designboom visited the azabudai hills gallery and previewed the various artworks within the exhibition titled 'a harmonious cycle of interconnected nows'.

christina petridou November 23, 2023 4 min

A harmonious cycle of interconnected nows by Olafur Eliasson

Azabudai Hills Gallery, the core cultural facility of the new mixed-used development by Heatherwick Studio in central Tokyo, celebrates its opening with an exhibition by Olafur Eliasson. Titled A Cycle of Harmony of Interconnected Moments, the inaugural show opens to the public on November 24, 2023, and will remain on view until March 31, 2024. Inside, visitors can find a series of Eliasson’s new and old projects, including installations, sculptures, paintings, and photography. The Icelandic-Danish artist’s latest artwork, A harmonious cycle of interconnected nows, hangs from the ceiling of the Mori JP Tower Office Lobby. One of the largest works Eliasson has publicly exhibited in Japan, the piece consists of four suspended spiral sculptures made of repeating, geometric modules, and its forms are derived mathematically. The entire exhibition, which takes its name from the new public artwork, explores the artist’s interest in an expanded sense.

designboom had the opportunity to visit the Azabudai Hills Gallery within the vibrant district and preview the various artworks within the exhibition. ‘On a large scale, everything is on the move, even seemingly stable things – our planet, the sun, and the solar system are all racing through the Milky Way, hurling around a central black hole,’ explains the artist. ‘At the same time, if you get close enough, the world is made up of building blocks, the as-yet undiscovered elemental scaffolding of the Real.’ he continues. These reflections by Eliasson offer insight into the dual nature of his artistic exploration that spans both the vastness of the cosmos and the finer details of existence, inviting viewers to contemplate the broader scope that defines our reality.

olafur eliasson exhibition inaugurates heatherwick studio's azabudai hills gallery in tokyo - 1 — image © Raquel Diniz

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an Intersection of nature and art

A harmonious cycle of interconnected nows showcases various artworks, including the significant installation Your Split Second House from 2010, which explores spatial concepts using water and strobe lights, the recent geometric sculpture Firefly Biosphere (Falling Magma Star), focusing on intricate light refraction, alongside new drawings activated by natural elements like sunlight and wind. Crafted with the intention of engaging the senses, these artworks are deeply informed by research on natural phenomena, geometry, physics, movement, and patterns. Eliasson delves into these themes through a range of mediums including installations, paper-based creations, and three-dimensional pieces, inviting visitors to immerse themselves and interact with the art. In this way, Eliasson’s art often emphasizes the relationship between humans and the natural environment, highlighting our collective responsibility in shaping the future.