The Espai d’Art Contemporani La Barbera in Villajoyosa is hosting Japan Now!, an exhibition dedicated to contemporary Japanese art.
Open until 14 November, it brings together more than fifty works by artists who explore the key trends of the Japanese Neopop movement.
Visitors can explore the show during La Barbera’s regular hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00–13:00, and Monday to Thursday, 17:30–20:00.
Japanese art and culture in Villajoyosa
The exhibition sets Japanese Neopop in a wider cultural context. Japan’s rapid economic growth, coupled with its global influence in technology, design, film, animation, manga, and gaming, has blurred the lines between “high” and “low” culture. Two elements dominate: bold technological innovation and the playful kawaii aesthetic, which have shaped youth culture worldwide.
Curator Antonella Montinaro, director of Contemporary Art Exhibitions at GACMA, describes the exhibition as a rare opportunity to see “works by Takashi Murakami, considered the Japanese Andy Warhol, alongside pieces by Yoshitomo Nara and a new generation of promising talents.”
The exhibition is also a cultural warm-up for the town’s upcoming Manga Fair on 20 September.
