What this is
Three of Japan's most conceptually ambitious contemporary artists — Morimura Yasumasa, Yanobe Kenji, and Yanagi Miwa — share a single exhibition space in Nara under a title that translates loosely as 'terrible children haunted by visions of annihilation.' Morimura is internationally known for inserting his own face into Western art history masterpieces; Yanobe builds monumental robot suits and survival machines rooted in post-nuclear anxiety; Yanagi creates cinematic, large-scale photographs exploring gender, aging, and dystopia. Together their work forms a meditation on mortality, catastrophe, and the uncanny — not a comfortable afternoon gallery visit, but a genuinely unsettling one.
Who should go
Contemporary art enthusiasts who already know these artists will find this a rare chance to see all three in dialogue. Visitors curious about Japan's post-Bubble, post-Fukushima art scene will get a strong introduction. Not suited to families with young children or anyone expecting decorative or traditional Japanese aesthetics.
Good to know
Nakka Art Space Nara is a smaller contemporary art venue, so expect an intimate gallery setting rather than a large museum — capacity is limited and the experience is likely unhurried. Check the venue's official website or social media for confirmed opening hours and admission fees before visiting, as details for this exhibition had not been fully announced at time of writing. Tickets or entry fees, if applicable, may be payable at the door in cash; smaller Japanese art spaces often do not accept foreign credit cards, so carry yen. Photography policies vary by exhibition at venues of this type — look for posted signage on arrival. Nara's compact city centre means you can combine this with a visit to Nara Park or Kasuga Taisha on the same day.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.