Best art museums in Asia for art lovers

Experience fine art at one of the top museums and galleries in Asia.

Art Science Museum - Singapore

As the name suggests, Art Science Museum at Marina Bay Sands beautifully fuses art and science to tell fascinating stories. This premier venue houses a constantly changing line-up of major international touring exhibitions, brought in through collaborations with organizations such as the American Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian Institute, and world-renowned furniture designer Herman Miller.

Address: 6 Bayfront Ave, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) - Thailand

A must for any lover of art, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Bangkok (MOCA) houses the most comprehensive collection of modern painting and sculpture in Thailand inside a striking, purpose-built gallery. The five storeys of MOCA contain over 800 pieces of art collected by communications magnate Boonchai Bencharongkul and showcase the development of Thai fine art since the introduction of modern western concepts.

Address: 499 Kamphaeng Phet 6 Rd, Chatuchak, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand

MOA Museum of Art - Japan

The MOA Museum of Art is spectacularly located on the slopes above Atami and exhibits an impressive collection of Japanese and East Asian art. The MOA Museum of Art was opened in 1982 by the Mokichi Okada Association (MOA). Okada Mokichi was an avid art collector who lived from 1882 to 1955 and also founded the Hakone Museum of Art in Gora.

Address: 26-2 Momoyamacho, Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai - China

The best part of the Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai (MOCA) is the prime location smack dab in a lovely green portion of People's Square. Sunlight and panoramic views pour in through the museum's floor to ceiling glass walls. International exhibitions are the name of the game at MOCA with Spain's flamboyant architect, Antoni Gaudi, highlighting last year's exhibitions and Salvatore Ferragamo this year. The ArtLab, a new, trendy space for stage events just opened in the spring.

Address: 231 Nanjing W Rd, RenMin GuangChang, Huangpu Qu, Shanghai Shi, China

See more: The interesting museums to visit in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

The best art galleries in South Korea

With an ever-evolving art scene, South Korea is home to a number of world-renowned galleries that feature works spanning multiple genres and mediums. From Seoul to Busan and everywhere in between, the following galleries showcase some of the best art the country has to offer.

Gana Art Center 

Pyeongchang in northern Seoul is home to some of Korea’s oldest and most influential galleries. Among them is Gana Art, a modern complex designed by celebrated architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Founded in 1983, Gana Art has presented over 400 exhibitions of Korean and international art over its lengthy history, including prominent artists such as Pierre Alechinsky, Roy Lichtenstein and Joan Miro.

Jeju Museum of Art 

Surrounded by the beautiful and pristine nature of Jeju Island, the Jeju Museum of Art is the epicenter of the region’s art. The building itself reflects the local culture, colors and sounds of the island, while its historical and contemporary works are sure to inspire art enthusiasts. Of particular interest is the Chang Ree-suok Hall, which displays more than 100 artworks created by the well-known Korean artist Chang Ree-suok.

Gallery Yeh 

With its striking modernist architectural shell, Gallery Yeh is an iconic landmark in Seoul’s ritzy Gangnam district. Established in 1978 and reopened in 1982, it led to the transformation of the Sinsa-dong neighborhood into a dynamic cultural center. The gallery has also played a significant role in bridging the gap between Korea’s capital and the wider art world, featuring the works of celebrated artists such as Raphael Soto and Alberto Giacometti, as well as representing Korean masters such as Ku Pon-ung, Kwon Ok-yeon and Kim Hwan-gi around the globe.

Johyun Gallery 

Founded in 1990, the Johyun Gallery (formerly known as Gallery World) is one of Busan’s premier art galleries. Johyun represents many well-known Korean and international contemporary artists such as Nam June Paik, Julian Opie and Georges Rousse. With its carefully curated exhibitions of sculptures, paintings, and installations, Johyun is guaranteed to satisfy the most discerning of art lovers.

Artside Gallery 

Notable for its focus on contemporary Chinese art, Artside Gallery has been a leader in the artistic exchange between Korea and China, and has garnered international attention for hosting the first solo exhibition of artist Zhang Xiaogang in the country. In 2007, Artside opened a gallery space in Beijing, and in 2010 relocated its Seoul gallery to Hyoja-dong. Despite its expansion, the gallery’s vision remains the same – to present the best in Chinese and Asian avant-garde as a way to encourage understanding and creativity across Asian art.

Gallery FACTORY 

Situated in Hyoja-dong to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace, is Gallery FACTORY, a small but punchy avant-garde space that has established itself as a steadfast presence in Seoul’s evolving art scene. The gallery encourages community participation through workshops and lectures, as well as by engaging in art consultation, public art projects, publications and international exchange programs. If you’re looking to discover the experimental work of up-and-coming artists based in Korea, Gallery FACTORY is certainly the place to do it.

Ungno Lee Museum of Art 

Designed by French architect Laurent Beaudouin, the quaint white structure that is the Ungno Lee Museum of Art was built to commemorate the work of the artist Goam Ungno Lee (1904-1989), who devoted his life to the modernization and globalization of Korean tradition through architecture. Goam’s work, which epitomizes the harmony between East and West, is distributed throughout four halls, which seem to flow together in one continual, unified space.

See more: Changwon, the city of art in South Korea

Source: Internet

Best street arts destinations in Singapore

Did you know that despite Singapore’s reputation for clean streets and strict rules, there is a flourishing street art scene? Here are the spots where you can find the best street art in Singapore.

Victoria Street

Fans of Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic‘s works don’t have to go to Penang to see his art – he has several works, featuring his trademark images of local children playing, scattered along this stretch of road between Arab Street and Jalan Sultan. The piece with an actual supermarket shopping cart is especially popular. Also of note is the giant camera-shaped building that houses the Vintage Cameras Museum, with a mural by Singaporean artist Ceno2 on its side.

Haji Lane

Hipsters love Haji Lane for its many indie boutique retail outlets – but what attracts the photographers are the Insta-worthy murals that cover the walls of the shophouses near the Beach Road junction. Colombian artist Didier Jaba Mathieu’s futuristic pop-colour characters feature prominently, but don’t miss the alleyway that connects to Arab Street which features works by Ceno2, Yok & Sheryo and local crew ZincNiteCrew.

Aliwal Street

Pop into the alleyway behind the Aliwal Arts Centre and you’ll find an ever-changing canvas of works on the back walls. This is thanks mostly to local crew RSCLS, who have a studio space in Aliwal Arts Centre alongside many of Singapore’s prominent performing arts groups. Pop over to Sultan Arts Centre across the street to find graffiti shop The Blackbook Studio and you may even chance upon the artists at work on the long panels in its yard.

Tekka Centre

A popular market and hawker food spot in Singapore, there are several murals to be found around the market complex. This is thanks to the annual ARTWALK Little India, an outdoor arts festival that commissions local and international artists to create works celebrating the culture of this Indian heritage district. Check out Buffalo Road, Race Course Road and Bellilos Lane for various murals that pay tribute to past landmarks and customs unique to Little India.

222 Queen Street

Art is in abundance in this district with the Singapore Art Museum, National Museum and various private galleries within a stone’s throw – but of biggest note to street art lovers is the long wall on the side of 222 Queen Street that connects to Waterloo Street. This long wall is an outdoor gallery for various street art projects, the latest being a collaborative project between Singaporean and Thai street artists.

See more: Reasons why Singapore is a worth-visiting destination once

Adventure the best art exhibitions in Tokyo in winter

If you are in Japan this winter, there are a huge number of excellent exhibitions providing opportunities to enjoy Japanese art from a variety of perspectives. Traditional Japanese craft, retrospectives of Japanese masters, the impact of catastrophe on art, and international artists influenced by Japan, all are subjects for this winter’s exhibitions both in Tokyo and beyond.

Exotic x Modern: French Art Deco and Inspiration from Afar

Focusing on the Art Deco movement of inter-war France and its influences from Non-European countries, this is a niche but far-reaching exhibition. A period of discovery, the era included the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb, the Ballet Russe’s appearance and the travels of Josephine Baker. The cultural crossover of different nations thanks to expositions and recorded expeditions was key in forming the designs of the era, all of which are explored in this exhibition. From fashion to interior design, the pieces displayed offer an insight into the adoption of styles, colours and images from further afield and their inclusion in one of the most recognizable styles of the 20th century.

Entry:
Adults:
Advance sales: ¥960
On the door: ¥1,200
Students:
Advance sales: ¥760
On the door: ¥960
Over 65s:
Advance sales: ¥480
On the door: ¥600

Munch: A Retrospective

Best known for his piece The Scream, Edvard Munch is one of the great names of art and this touring exhibition is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for art lovers in Tokyo. See 60 oil paintings as well as prints and additional pieces from throughout his career. One of the highlights of the exhibition will be the first Japanese appearance of the tempera and oil version of The Scream (one of several versions) from the Munch Museum Collection. Advance tickets can be purchased online and will knock off ¥200 on the ticket price.

Entry: ¥1,600 (adults), ¥1,300 (students), ¥1,000 (seniors), ¥600 (HS students)

Rubens and the Birth of the Baroque

Pioneering a new style in the 17th century, Rubens was highly influential in introducing the world to the development of the Flemish Baroque movement. This exhibition focuses on his relationship with Italy, previously the home of the Renaissance style. There will be a combination of Ruben’s works as well as ancient sculptures and pieces by Italian artists from the era and it will be the largest collection of his works ever exhibited in Japan.

Entry: ¥1,600 (adults), ¥1,200 (students), ¥800 (HS Students)

Tokyographie

This offshoot event is a great chance to see some of the best works form the annual Tokyographie event held in Japan’s ancient capital. An international photography exhibition, it has been running for six years but this is the first time it has visited Tokyo.

This year’s theme is Up, a focus on personal impetus and an attempt to move away from the many weights of modern society. The exhibition will be held at different venues including Fujifilm Square, Institut français du Japon, Chanel Nexus House and smaller galleries. Artists to look out for include Jean Paul Goude, Tadashi Ono and Masahisa Fukase.

Entry: Free

Read more: 5 snow festivals to attend in Japan

Catastrophe and the Power of Art

Earthquakes, terrorist attacks and financial crises, disasters and catastrophes never fail to provoke unique and compelling responses from artists around the world. Whether they aim to express grief, promote change or just serve as a reminder of the events, all take a personal and subjective take on global events. This striking exhibition features a collection of installations, sculptures and images from Japanese and international artists as they offer their take on personal and national catastrophes.

Entry: ¥1,800 (adults), ¥1,500 (seniors), ¥1,200 (students), ¥600 (JHS students and children)

Source TokyoCheapo

All you need to know about Kabuki, a Japanese art form

If you are a fanatic of Japan's culture, you must have heard about Kabuki. Kabuki is a fascinating art form in Japan, and it will be a shame to visit Japan without watching it once during your stay.

1. Kabuki, a traditional art of Japan

Kabuki is a classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers. In 2005, UNESCO announced kabuki as one of the 43 Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

2. The origin of the word kabuki

Since the word kabuki is believed to derive from the verb kabuku, meaning "to lean" or "to be out of the ordinary", kabuki can be interpreted as "avant-garde" or "bizarre" theatre.

3. Kabuki was invented by a woman, Okuni 

The history of kabuki began in 1603 when Okuni, possibly a "miko" (priestess), began performing a new style of dance drama in the dry riverbeds of Kyoto.

4. Now, all kabuki actors are men

Men, generals, merchants, children, princes, princesses, young women, old women, ghosts and so many more roles are all done by men. How a person moves, and what they wear is the way they distinguish their roles.

5. There are two themes: kabuki kyougen and kabuki buyou  

"Kabuki kyougen" have stories, that actually happened in the past (ex. death of a general), or a fictional story set in a certain era. "Kyougen" means a play. "Kabuki buyou" is mainly dance. "Buyou" means dance. If you're new to kabuki, I recommend watching kabuki buyou first. You don't exactly need to understand what they're saying because they mostly dance.

6. Kabuki kyougen are based on the same world

In the stories, they use the same characters (some of whom really existed) in the same era, but alter what happened. As a result, there are several stories that contain the same world setting, but with different plots. 

7. The person dressed in black is invisible on stage

The people dressed in black are called "kurogo kouken". They move or hand props to the actors. The actors and the audience are not supposed to see them.

8. The makeup of kabuki

Makeup of kabuki is distinct to the character. The less human the characters are, for example ghosts and demons, the more bizarre the makeup becomes. It emphasizes the muscles and veins of the face. Red is used for the good characters, blue is used for the enemies, and brown is used for demons or hobgoblins. This method of makeup is called Kumatori.

9. Mie

"Mie" is a stage phase when the actor makes a pose in the heat of the moment. It's something like a stop motion moment in a movie. Mie emphasizes the picturesque beauty of the whole stage, including the actor.

10. When somebody is shouting during Mie, it's a praise

This act is called a "kakegoe". They are shouting the name of the actor, to praise the beauty of their acting. It is done by professional audience members. Never do it if you're an amateur.

See more: The gorgeous Takayama festival in Japan

Source: tsunagujapan