What this is
Aki Sasamoto is a New York-based Japanese performance artist known for weaving together absurdist monologue, everyday objects, and sculptural installation into live durational works that blur the line between science experiment and stand-up comedy. 'Life Laboratory' suggests a characteristic Sasamoto framework — the body as test subject, domestic or biological systems as performance material, and the audience as reluctant lab witnesses. Her work has been shown at MoMA and major international venues, making this a genuinely rare opportunity to see her in Japan.
Who should go
Contemporary art enthusiasts and anyone curious about performance art that resists easy categorisation. Less suited to visitors expecting a conventional exhibition — Sasamoto's work demands presence and patience.
Good to know
Tickets for NMAO exhibitions are typically available at the museum box office and via the official NMAO website — foreign credit cards are generally accepted at the venue. The National Museum of Art, Osaka is an underground museum in Nakanoshima, with a distinctive above-ground steel structure; allow time to navigate the building on your first visit. Check the NMAO website for whether this is a timed-entry exhibition or includes scheduled live performance slots, as Sasamoto's work often involves specific performance times within an exhibition run. Photography policies vary by exhibition at NMAO — confirm on arrival. The museum is closed on Mondays.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.