Cool Hunting

Japan fans heading to Austria should be sure to check out Kunsthaus Graz' new exhibit, Chikaku, a survey of Japanese art over the past half century. Something like the older brother to the current much-hyped Takashi Murakami curated show, Little Boy, Chikaku (Japanese for "perception") aims to be a comprehensive look at cultural counterparts to Japan's economic boom and pop culture explosion. Works by 20 artists include Yoko Ono's photography and films, writer/composer/filmmaker Trinh T. Minh-Ha's photographs, and Vanessa Beecroft-reminiscent photos by Emiko Kashara.

Presented in the newly constructed slug-like Kunsthaus Graz (the building alone looks worth a visit to Graz), the exhibit shows the complicated intersections of old, new, high, low, technology, fine art, East, West, etc. Part of the exhibition includes screenings of Japanese videos by winners of The BIX Media Competition on the hi-tech BIX facade, a 56-meter-long light-matrix display integrated onto the biomorphic exterior.

Co-organized by the Japan Foundation, the show runs through September 11, 2005.