Osimo is set to be immersed in the colours, forms and visions of contemporary Japan with “Pop Japan. The Great Pop Masters of the Land of the Rising Sun”, an exhibition exploring the power of Japanese pop culture and its influence on the global imagination. Curated and produced by the MetaMorfosi Association in collaboration with the Municipality of Osimo and A.S.S.O. – Azienda Speciale Servizi Osimo, the exhibition offers a unique journey through art, manga, fashion and Japanese visual culture.
The exhibition unfolds across five thematic sections, guiding visitors through more than 40 unique works by historic and contemporary masters of Japanese pop art: from Yayoi Kusama’s early American-influenced experiments to Takashi Murakami’s neo-pop, from the emerging micro-pop trends of Tomoko Nagao to the delicate shōjo visions of Hiroyuki Takahashi, and the digital painting on photography by Hitomi Maehashi.
Japan’s impact on global pop culture is undeniable: from animation to manga, fashion to music, video games to cinema, and contemporary art. The Superflat movement, theorised by Takashi Murakami, embodies the fusion of Japanese artistic tradition and consumer culture, offering a powerful reflection on the superficial emptiness of consumerist ideology.
With Pop Japan, Osimo continues its programme of exhibitions dedicated to Western street and pop art. After showcasing artists such as Keith Haring and Banksy, the focus now shifts to the great Japanese masters who have shaped comic art and graphic design worldwide. An opportunity to discover the roots and enduring appeal of pop art from the Land of the Rising Sun, suspended between tradition and innovation.