Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time (exhibition)
December 21, 2024 – March 30, 2025
The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo proudly presents Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time, a groundbreaking exhibition celebrating the unparalleled genius of Ryuichi Sakamoto (1952–2023). Ryuichi Sakamoto was far more than a composer—he was a true innovator who redefined how we perceive sound, music, and emotion. His work dissolved the boundaries between genres and disciplines, transforming music into an immersive, multi-sensory art form. This exhibition invites you to experience a world where time becomes audible and sound takes physical form—a journey into the depths of perception and imagination. From the 2000s, Ryuichi Sakamoto shifted his focus to creating immersive, three-dimensional sound installations, collaborating with trailblazing artists to bring his visionary concepts to life. This first large-scale retrospective in Japan showcases both iconic past works and groundbreaking pieces he envisioned specifically for this exhibition before his passing, dynamically realized in and around the museum space.
THE LEGACY OF RYUICHI SAKAMOTO
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Born in Tokyo in 1952, Ryuichi Sakamoto debuted in 1978 with his album Thousand Knives, which exemplified his pioneering approach to music. As a member of the legendary techno group Yellow Magic Orchestra, Ryuichi Sakamoto became a driving force in the evolution of electronic music, influencing countless artists across the globe. His solo career was equally diverse, spanning classical compositions, operas, and over 45 film and TV scores, including Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and The Last Emperor, which earned him an Academy Award, two Golden Globes, and a Grammy. Ryuichi Sakamoto’s genius lay in his ability to bridge worlds. Whether blending traditional Japanese sounds with avant-garde electronic textures or creating works that blurred the line between music and environmental art, he pushed creative boundaries at every turn. His music was more than melody; it was a deeply emotional narrative, weaving together themes of humanity, nature, and the passage of time. Beyond his artistic achievements, Ryuichi Sakamoto was a lifelong advocate for environmental sustainability and social causes. He founded initiatives such as more trees, a forest preservation organization, and the Tohoku Youth Orchestra, bringing healing through music to communities impacted by the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake. Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away in March 2023 at the age of 71, after battling cancer for several years. Since his passing, his work and legacy have been celebrated globally, reflecting his lasting impact on music, art, and culture. Even posthumously, his innovation continues to inspire, as seen in KAGAMI, a groundbreaking mixed-reality concert that has toured cities such as New York, Manchester, and London.
Don’t miss the chance to visit The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo to witness his genius.
INFORMATION
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– Exhibition Period: Saturday, 21 December 2024 – Sunday, 30 March 2025
– Opening Hours: 10 AM－6 PM（Tickets available until 30 minutes before closing.）
– Closed Mondays (except 1 Jun., 24 Feb.,), 28 Dec.- 1 Jan., 14 Jan., 25 Feb.
– Venue Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, Exhibition Gallery 1F/B2F
– Admission Adults – 2,400 yen / University & College Students, Over 65 – 1,700 yen
– High school & Junior High School Students – 960 yen
– Elementary School Students & Younger – free
– Organized by Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo operated by Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture / The Asahi Shimbun / TV Asahi
LIST OF WORKS
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■ Exhibition Gallery, 1st floor
– Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani,
TIME TIME, 2024
– Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani,
water state 1, 2013
– Ryuichi Sakamoto with Shiro Takatani,
IS YOUR TIME, 2017/2024
– Carsten Nicolai, PHOSPHENES, ENDO EXO,
2024 Music: Ryuichi Sakamoto
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
■ Exhibition Gallery, B2 floor
– Ryuichi Sakamoto + Apichatpong Weerasethakul, async–first light, 2017
– Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Durmiente, 2021
– Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani, async–immersion tokyo, 2024
– Ryuichi Sakamoto + Zakkubalan, async–volume, 2017
– Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani, LIFE–fluid, invisible, inaudible…, 2007
– Ryuichi Sakamoto×Toshio Iwai, Music Plays Images X Images Play Music, 1996–1997/2024
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
Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani, async–immersion 2023, 2023, installation view of “AMBIENT KYOTO 2023”, Kyoto Shimbun Building B1 floor, 2023.
Photo by Satoshi Nagare
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
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
■ Courtyard
– Ryuichi Sakamoto + Daito Manabe
Sensing Streams 2024–invisible, inaudible (MOT version) 2024
Ryuichi Sakamoto + Daito Manabe,
Sensing Streams 2021–invisible, inaudible, 2021,
Installation view of “seeing sound, hearing time” at M WOODS HUTONG, Beijing, 2021.
Photo by M WOODS photography team
■ Sunken Terrace
– Ryuichi Sakamoto + Fujiko Nakaya + Shiro Takatani
LIFE–WELL TOKYO, Fog Sculpture #47662
* special collaboration
Fujiko Nakaya, 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
Featured Collaborators:
Shiro Takatani
Daito Manabe
Carsten Nicolai
Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Zakkubalan
Toshio Iwai
Special Collaboration:
Fujiko Nakaya
Photo by Neo Sora ©2017 Kab Inc
NOTE: All publicity images must include their credit lines and be used exclusively for promotional purposes related to the exhibition. Images must remain unaltered, with no cropping, detailing, overprinting, or modifications.
⩺ MORE INFO | HERE
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Mandah FRÉNOT
(c) VMJ
