Showcasing Asian craft and collectibles alongside international contemporary art, (AFT) has expanded its scope over the past two years.
The 20th edition of Japan¡¯s longest-running art fair took place last weekend at the Tokyo International Forum in Yurakucho, bringing together 141 galleries from across the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and North America, with Tokyo-based exhibitors making up a significant share. Amid a fickle art market, AFT has redoubled its efforts to cater to collectors, introducing an enhanced VIP program that included an early preview, dedicated lounges and satellite events.
Another key component of AFT 2026 was the second annual ¡°Films¡± section at Tokyo Hibiya Midtown, a short walk from the main venue. Directed by the curatorial collective non-syntax, the program screened 12 short experimental movies. Highlights included Youki Hirakawa¡¯s ¡°The Better Way Back to the Soil,¡± which presents a scrolling list of films that no longer exist. As the titles emerge and fade, they form a poetic narrative.
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