seeing sound, hearing time: ryuichi sakamoto tribute at museum of contemporary art tokyo

celebrating the late composer Ryuichi Sakamoto

The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo presents Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time, a comprehensive exhibition celebrating the avant-garde legacy of composer and artist Ryuichi Sakamoto (1952–2023). Running until March 30th, 2025, the show explores Sakamoto’s pioneering journey through sound, technology, and visual art—highlighting both his iconic works and previously unseen installations designed before his passing. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience the evolution of an artist who consistently pushed the boundaries of music and multimedia art, blending classical composition with electronic innovation, and integrating visual and spatial elements into his sonic experiments. Visitors encounter a rich tapestry of works that reflect Sakamoto’s deep engagement with environmental issues, technology, and the ephemeral nature of time, offering an intimate look at his artistic process and enduring influence on contemporary art and culture.

installation view of the exhibition ‘Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time’ at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, 2024. Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani, LIFE–fluid, invisible, inaudible…, 2007 ©2024 KAB Inc. photo: Takeshi Asano

exploring sound as a spatial experience

Since the early 2000s, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s artistic focus shifted towards three-dimensional sound installations, transforming gallery spaces into immersive auditory environments. seeing sound, hearing time marks Japan’s first large-scale exhibition dedicated to this aspect of his career, offering visitors a sensory experience where sound, time, and space intertwine.

The exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo underscores Sakamoto’s collaborative ethos, featuring works co-created with Shiro Takatani, Daito Manabe, Carsten Nicolai, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Zakkubalan, and Toshio Iwai. These multidisciplinary collaborations merge cutting-edge technology with artistic expression, blurring the lines between sound, light, and visual media across the different levels of the expansive Tokyo-based museum. A special collaboration with Fujiko Nakaya, known for her ephemeral fog sculptures, further enhances the atmospheric depth of the exhibition, creating an otherworldly fusion of natural and synthetic elements.

Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani, LIFE–fluid, invisible, inaudible…, 2007/2023, installation view of “Ryuichi Sakamoto | SOUND AND TIME” at M WOODS (People’s park), Chengdu, 2023 Image courtesy of M WOODS

new works & iconic pieces at Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo

Alongside Sakamoto’s renowned past works, seeing sound, hearing time debuts new installations conceptualized by the artist for this exhibition. These pieces are dynamically integrated into the museum’s architecture, extending beyond the traditional confines of gallery walls and inviting visitors to engage with the surrounding environment as part of the experience. This exhibition is more than a retrospective—it’s a living tribute to Sakamoto’s relentless pursuit of artistic innovation. By inviting audiences to see sound and hear time, the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo honors an artist who continuously redefined the boundaries of music, art, and technology.

installation view of the exhibition ‘Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time’ at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, 2024. Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani, async–immersion tokyo, 2024 ©2024 KAB Inc. photo: Takeshi Asano

Installation view of the exhibition ‘Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time’ at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, 2024. Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani, LIFE–fluid, invisible, inaudible…, 2007 ©2024 KAB Inc. photo: Ryuichi Maruo

Installation view of the exhibition ‘Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time’ at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, 2024. Ryuichi Sakamoto + Toshio Iwai, Music Plays Images X Images Play Music, 1996–97/2024 ©2024 KAB Inc. photo: Ryuichi Maruo

Ryuichi Sakamoto + Daito Manabe, Sensing Streams 2021–invisible, inaudible, 2021, installation view of “seeing sound, hearing time” at M WOODS HUTONG, Beijing, 2021

Nakaya Fujiko, London Fog, Fog Performance #03779, 2017, Installation view from “BMW Tate Live Exhibition: Ten Days Six Nights,” Tate Modern, London, UK Collaboration: Min Tanaka (Dance), Shiro Takatani (Lighting), Ryuichi Sakamoto (Music). Photo by Noriko Koshida

Min Tanaka, Locus Focus at Ryuichi Sakamoto + Fujiko Nakaya + Shiro Takatani, LIFE–WELL TOKYO, Fog Sculpture #47662, 2024 photo: Itaru Hirama

Min Tanaka, Locus Focus at Ryuichi Sakamoto + Fujiko Nakaya + Shiro Takatani, LIFE–WELL TOKYO, Fog Sculpture #47662, 2024 photo: Itaru Hirama

Ryuichi Sakamoto with Shiro Takatani, IS YOUR TIME, 2017/2023, installation view of “Ryuichi Sakamoto | SOUND AND TIME” at M WOODS (People’s park), Chengdu, 2023 Image courtesy of M WOODS

Ryuichi Sakamoto + Apichatpong Weerasethakul, async–first light, 2017, installation view of “Ryuichi Sakamoto | SOUND AND TIME” at M WOODS (People’s park), Chengdu, 2023 Image courtesy of M WOODS

Ryuichi Sakamoto + Zakkubalan, async–volume, 2017, installation view of “Ryuichi Sakamoto | SOUND AND TIME” at M WOODS (People’s park), Chengdu, 2023 Image courtesy of M WOODS

project info: 

name: Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time
location: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo | @mot_museum_art_tokyo
dates: December 21, 2024 – March 30, 2025

collaborators: Shiro Takatani, Daito Manabe, Carsten Nicolai, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Zakkubalan, Toshio Iwai
special collaboration: Fujiko Nakaya