A monograph dedicated to the Japanese artist Yukinori Yanagi, on the occasion of his first major anthological exhibition in Europe

Yukinori Yanagi (Fukuoka, 1959; lives and works in Momoshima, Japan) is one of the most influential contemporary Japanese artists. He is known for exploring complex themes related to sovereignty, globalization, and borders, which he investigates through large site-specific installations. His work also delves into Japanese history, particularly nationalism, by evoking the intricate systems of symbolic imagery that shape the understanding of space and identity.

Accompanying the exhibition at Pirelli HangarBicocca is a monograph that explores the recurring themes in Yanagi’s career, examining the influences and developments of his practice over the years. The volume includes essays by international scholars and critics, including an in-depth text by curator Mami Kataoka, which contextualizes Yanagi’s work in the global art landscape, and a contribution by art historian Reiko Tomii focusing on the influence of contemporary historical memory, particularly Japan, in the artist’s work, as well as a conversation between Yanagi and the exhibition curators around the exhibition project. Along with extensive documentation
photographic of all the works installed in the exhibition, the volume collects the detailed sheets dedicated to the works on display, written by scholars and enriched by a selection of historical and archive images.