MA Exhibition 2023

July 30, 2023

Iran-Japan cross-cultural dialogue: Tabriz to host the third interdisciplinary MA space-time exhibition, 2023
MA Art and Space between Iran/Japan

Tehran, Iran - June 08, 2023 - The Japanese Embassy in Tehran held a press conference to announce the highly anticipated third edition of the "MA: Space-Time Exhibition". The event, which is set to take place in Tabriz in September 2023, promises to be a groundbreaking showcase of contemporary art and cultural exchange between Japan and Iran.

The press conference was led by Professor Riichi Miyake, a renowned Japanese artist, and curator, who presented an overview of the exhibition's concept and highlighted its significance for fostering cross-cultural dialogue. Professor Miyake emphasized that this year's exhibition aims to explore the interconnectedness of space and time through various artistic mediums. The press conference was attended by esteemed diplomats, renowned artists, and influential figures from both Japan and Iran. The event concluded with a warm welcome from Ambassador Hiroshi Matsuura, who expressed his delight for the collaboration between the two nations for this extraordinary exhibition.
The "MA: Space-Time Exhibition" has gained international recognition for its innovative approach to showcasing contemporary art, curated by renowned architect, Arata Isozaki. It serves as a platform for emerging artists from both Japan and Iran to exhibit their works and engage in meaningful conversations about cultural identity, heritage, and the human experience.
Building on the success of its previous editions held in Tokyo and Kyoto, this year's exhibition will feature an array of installations, sculptures, paintings, photographs, performances, and multimedia artworks. The selected pieces will reflect diverse perspectives on space-time relationships while incorporating elements of traditional Japanese and Iranian art forms.
Tabriz was chosen as the host city due to its rich cultural heritage and vibrant artistic community. The city's historical sites will serve as unique venues for some of the exhibition's installations. This integration of contemporary art with Tabriz's architectural treasures is expected to create a captivating juxtaposition that will further enhance visitors' experience. In addition to showcasing artworks by talented artists from Japan and Iran, the "MA: Space-Time Exhibition" will also include workshops, panel discussions, artist talks, cultural events, and publication/media. These activities aim to encourage collaboration between artists from different backgrounds and foster a deeper understanding of each other's artistic practices.
The exhibition is expected to attract art enthusiasts, collectors, curators, and cultural ambassadors from around the world. It will provide a platform for international visitors to engage with the vibrant art scene in Tabriz and strengthen cultural ties between Japan and Iran.
The third edition of the "MA: Space-Time Exhibition" promises to be an extraordinary celebration of contemporary art, cultural exchange, and collaboration. As the event draws closer, anticipation continues to grow among artists and art lovers alike. Stay tuned for further updates on participating artists, venues, and additional program details.

About MA History
First presented in Paris in 1978 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, it then traveled to New York, Houston, Chicago, Stockholm, and Helsinki. In the year 2000, the exhibition was finally held in Tokyo under the multiple titles "MA- Twenty Years on" and "IKI - Espace-Temps du Japan.” In 2020, notions of time and space were disrupted by COVID-19 with shifts to virtual communication and work on global-local levels, fundamentally questioning notions of MA: Space-Time and offering opportunities for its re-interpretation.

Beyond the physical world, the importance of space as a place to gather has been diminished and architects are being forced to re-examine it from new angles. With architecture as a starting point, the discussion touches on space and time as the intersection of experience with implications for other fields as well.

On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Japan House Los Angeles held a conversation rethinking this important notion to understand Japanese culture. The discussion was led by Hitoshi Abe (UCLA), Sharon Johnston, and Mark Lee (Harvard University), and MC'd by Ken Tadashi Oshima (University of Washington).

Villa Magazine Press

[1] https://www.japanhousela.com/events/rethinking-of-ma/