Milan, at Pirelli HangarBicocca the first major European anthological exhibition dedicated to Japanese Yukinori Yanagi

From March 27 to July 27, 2025 Pirelli HangarBicocca in Milan will host ICARUS, the first major European anthological exhibition dedicated to the artistic production of Yukinori Yanagi (Fukuoka, 1959). Curated by Vicente Todolí with Fiammetta Griccioli, the exhibition is an opportunity to explore the path of the Japanese artist through a wide selection of iconic works dating from the 1990s and 2000s, side by side with more recent works that highlight her stylistic and conceptual evolution. Visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in his visual universe, characterized by unpredictable trajectories and installations that redefine the exhibition space. Yanagi recontextualizes some of his most impressive installations in the former industrial spaces of Pirelli HangarBicocca. The artist triggers a highly topical reflection on issues such as nationalism, governmental dynamics and the contradictions of contemporary societies.

Born in Fukuoka in 1959, Yukinori Yanagi lives and works on the island of Momoshima, Japan, away from the public scene, despite being recognized as one of the most influential Japanese artists of our time. His international career began in 1993, when he participated in the 45th Venice Biennale with a work that has become emblematic: an installation composed of one hundred and seventy colored sand flags, progressively eroded by the incessant work of thousands of live ants. After more than three decades, Yanagi returns to Italy with this Milan exhibition, testifying to the continuity and relevance of his artistic research.

His work stands out for its investigation of issues related to sovereignty, geopolitical boundaries and the effects of globalization. His site-specific installations, often large-scale, not only explore Japanese history but also address universal issues, such as the impact of modernization and the role of technology on society. Through a powerful visual language, Yanagi conjures symbolic image systems that challenge concepts of political and national oppression, dissolving them into organic, shifting forms capable of transforming the viewer’s perception.

The ICARUS exhibition is articulated between the Naves and the Cube of Pirelli HangarBicocca, offering an exhibition itinerary that traces the milestones of the artist’s career. The title refers to the Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus, serving as a warning and an invitation to reflect on the human arrogance born of the excessive trust placed in technology.

The exhibition layout is built on a play of dualities and contrasts: past and present, destruction and rebirth, reality and imagination, matter and symbolism, movement and stillness. A central element of the exhibition narrative is the concept of crossing physical boundaries, represented by objects such as containers and barrels, typically used in global transportation systems. These elements become metaphors for the growing global interconnectedness.

On the occasion of the exhibition, a monograph will be published by Marsilio Editori, which will explore the recurring themes in Yanagi’s work, highlighting the influences that have shaped his artistic practice. The volume will contain essays by international scholars and critics, including curator Mami Kataoka and art historian Reiko Tomii. Also included will be a conversation with Yanagi and curators Vicente Todolí and Fiammetta Griccioli. The book will collect for the first time all of the artist’s most ambitious architectural projects from 2008 to the present, with detailed fact sheets dedicated to the works on display, written by scholars and enriched by a selection of historical images.

Yukinori Yanagi has exhibited at many leading institutions, including Tsunagi Museum, Kumamoto (2019); Bank-ART 1929, Tokyo (2016); Inujima Art House Project, Okayama (2010); Inujima Seirensho Art Museum, Okayama (2008); Fukuoka Art Museum (2005); Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art (2000); University Art Gallery, University of California, Irvine (1998); Chisenhale Gallery, London, Beaver College Art Gallery, Philadelphia, Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia (1997); Capp Street Project, San Francisco (1996); Queens Museum of Art, New York, Kirin Plaza Osaka, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, University Art Museum, University of California at Santa Barbara (1995); Naoshima Contemporary Art Museum, Japan (1992); Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions - LACE (1991). His works have also been included in numerous group exhibitions, such as Setouchi Triennale, Japan (2022); Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, Saudi Arabia (2021); 21. Biennale of Sydney (2018); Yokohama Triennale, Japan (2017); Busan Biennale, South Korea (2016); Liverpool Biennial (2012); Fukuoka Triennale, Japan, Gwangju Biennale (2002); Whitney Biennial, New York (2000); Biennale de Lyon (1997); Asia-Pacific Triennial, Brisbane (1996); Nagoya International Biennial, Japan; Venice Biennale (1993).

Milan, at Pirelli HangarBicocca the first major European anthological exhibition dedicated to Japanese Yukinori Yanagi

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