Return to Embodiment, and the Metabolism of Art

In an era where AI technology has achieved rapid advancements and the boundaries of expression are diversifying further, our gallery re-evaluates the origin of artistic creation: "embodiment," and the primordial distance between humans and art. Our pursuit is not art consumed as mere information, but an artistic presence that speaks directly to the five senses—one that is visceral, grounded, and imbued with the warmth of the creator’s hand and the raw texture of materials. Our home, Asakusa, is more than just a site for preserving "good old traditions." Historically, it served as a cutting-edge laboratory for "modernity" in Tokyo. Even today, it remains a district of artisans where various manufacturing traditions thrive. Asakusa is a rare locale where the lofty currents of intellectual creativity—symbolized by modernism—intersect with the time-honored traditions of "commercial craft" rooted in practical industry. Furthermore, this land, where Western modernism and popular culture first converged, has evolved to take on a new role in the modern era: a global tourism hub that symbolizes the very identity of "Japan." We find profound significance in operating an innovative gallery here in Asakusa, a place that has continuously absorbed and layered new cultural currents throughout its history. MOMOKO SHIMODA GALLERY is integrated with the innovative restaurant "page." Moving beyond the passive observation within the serene "white cube," we propose a new way of engaging with art—one where, through the experience of gastronomy, art is literally incorporated into the body and metabolized. From the historical horizon of Asakusa, we invite you to explore, alongside us, a new artistic experience that resonates with the rhythms of the human body.

MOMOKO SHIMODA GALLERY Momoko Shimoda