OVERVIEW
async - immersion
After receiving great acclaim at AMBIENT KYOTO 2023,
async – immersion
comes to Tokyo this summer, presented on the same scale.
After receiving great acclaim at
AMBIENT KYOTO 2023,
async – immersion
comes to Tokyo this summer,
presented on the same scale.
| Title | RYUICHI SAKAMOTO + SHIRO TAKATANI AMBIENT KYOTO - TOKYO |
|---|---|
| Dates | August 28 Fri – October 25 Sun, 2026 / Open daily for 59 days |
| Opening Hours | Weekdays 10:00～19:00／Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays:10:00～20:00 (Last admission 30 minutes before closing） Only on September 11th (Friday) the gallery will close at 18:00. |
| Venue | Azabudai Hills Gallery |
| Artists | Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani |
| Tickets | Now on Sale. Purchase Tickets Here |
| Organizer | AMBIENT KYOTO Executive Committee (TOW / Traffic) |
| Planning and Production | TOW / Traffic |
| Cooperation | bricks & company / CCC ART LAB / COP / FULFILLMENT / Graphpaper / HACIENDA / HAPPYMONDAY / Imaginations / Kanai Scenic Studio / Kyoto Amplitude / Links / MINDSQUARE / Nekoana |
| Supported by | J-WAVE |
| Sponsored by | OGAWA |
| PR Cooperation | HOW INC. / PRism JAPAN inc. / Qetic / alpha.co.ltd. |
The exhibition “RYUICHI SAKAMOTO + SHIRO TAKATANI AMBIENT KYOTO-TOKYO”, organised by 〈AMBIENT KYOTO〉, which is based in Kyoto, centering on the theme of ‘ambient’, comprising ‘sound’, ‘art’ and ‘space’ will open on August 28th, Friday 2026.
This exhibition will present the work ‘async - immersion’ by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Shiro Takatani at the Azabudai Hills Gallery in Tokyo’s Minato-ward, which was first exhibited in 2023 in Kyoto at ‘AMBIENT KYOTO 2023’.
It will be the first opportunity since ‘AMBIENT KYOTO 2023’ to experience the massive 26.4 metres wide screen which is in the same scale as the one used in ‘AMBIENT KYOTO 2023’, with the spatial audio system specially designed for this particular venue. As with the previous exhibition, the Sound Director is ZAK, who is known for his work on Ryuichi Sakamoto’s later pieces.
Please experience the world of ‘async-immersion’ at the Azabudai Hills Gallery in 2026 with your whole body, an overwhelming experience made possible by the luxurious space of a standalone exhibition, and the special work created by the unity of music, visuals, sound, space and the attending visitors.
async - immersion
This is an installation based on the album ‘async’ released by Ryuichi Sakamoto in 2017, comprising visuals by Shiro Takatani, and spatial sound created by ZAK. It was first exhibited at ‘AMBIENT KYOTO 2023’ under the title ‘RYUICHI SAKAMOTO + SHIRO TAKATANI / async-immersion 2023’ which created a great sensation.
Based on Sakamoto’s concept of ‘Secchi Ongaku (installed music)’, placing sound sterically within space, this work can be seen as a culmination of the ‘async’ series. Visuals created by Takatani responds to the sound but do not synch in full with the sound as suggested in the title ‘async’ (asynchronous).
Within the time frame where the relationship between sound and image constantly fluctuate, the audiences’ senses are gently vacillated, and guided into the depth of the work’s world – It is not just watching, nor is it about just listening. We invite you to a one-off, immersive experience where music, visuals, sound, space and yourself become one.
ARTISTS
Born in Tokyo in 1952. Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, master’s degree program, and making his debut in 1978 with the album Thousand Knives. In the same year, participated in the formation of the legendary techno group Yellow Magic Orchestra. Producing pop albums and numerous classical compositions, two operas, and nearly 45 original film/TV scores, his film soundtracks have won prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, two Golden Globes, a Grammy, and more. Sakamoto also made considerable contributions to the art world with his work exhibited in museums worldwide (Seoul, 2018; Beijing, 2021; Cheng-du, 2023; Tokyo, 2024). As an activist for many decades, he focused on environmental conservation and world peace, including founding the forest preservation organization “more trees”, and the “Tohoku Youth Orchestra” to support the victims of the Tohoku Earthquake through music. Sakamoto passed away on March 28, 2023. sitesakamoto.com
In 1984, whilst a student at the Kyoto City University of Arts, he began working as a member of Dumb Type, engaged in the creation of performances and exhibitions using various media, and has staged performances and exhibitions at theatres, museums and art centres around the world. From 1998, he started creating works as an individual artist, alongside his activities with Dumb Type. His main activities in recent years include the world premiere of the theatre piece ‘TIME’ in 2021 at the Holland Festival, which he created with Ryuichi Sakamoto. In 2022, Dumb Type welcomed Ryuichi Sakamoto as a new member and exhibited their new work ‘2022’ at the Japanese Pavilion of the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition. In 2023, the Artizon Museum (Tokyo) held the Japan Pavilion Exhibition in Tokyo – From the 59th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, Dumb Type, 2022: remap. In spring 2024, ‘TIME’ was performed at the New National Theatre, Tokyo and the ROHM Theatre Kyoto. Currently, the installation ‘WINDOWS’ is on view at the Museum Tower Kyobashi, Tokyo. shiro.dumbtype.com
Born in Tokyo in 1952. Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, master’s degree program, and making his debut in 1978 with the album Thousand Knives. In the same year, participated in the formation of the legendary techno group Yellow Magic Orchestra. Producing pop albums and numerous classical compositions, two operas, and nearly 45 original film/TV scores, his film soundtracks have won prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, two Golden Globes, a Grammy, and more. Sakamoto also made considerable contributions to the art world with his work exhibited in museums worldwide (Seoul, 2018; Beijing, 2021; Cheng-du, 2023; Tokyo, 2024). As an activist for many decades, he focused on environmental conservation and world peace, including founding the forest preservation organization “more trees”, and the “Tohoku Youth Orchestra” to support the victims of the Tohoku Earthquake through music. Sakamoto passed away on March 28, 2023. sitesakamoto.com
In 1984, whilst a student at the Kyoto City University of Arts, he began working as a member of Dumb Type, engaged in the creation of performances and exhibitions using various media, and has staged performances and exhibitions at theatres, museums and art centres around the world. From 1998, he started creating works as an individual artist, alongside his activities with Dumb Type. His main activities in recent years include the world premiere of the theatre piece ‘TIME’ in 2021 at the Holland Festival, which he created with Ryuichi Sakamoto. In 2022, Dumb Type welcomed Ryuichi Sakamoto as a new member and exhibited their new work ‘2022’ at the Japanese Pavilion of the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition. In 2023, the Artizon Museum (Tokyo) held the Japan Pavilion Exhibition in Tokyo – From the 59th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, Dumb Type, 2022: remap. In spring 2024, ‘TIME’ was performed at the New National Theatre, Tokyo and the ROHM Theatre Kyoto. Currently, the installation ‘WINDOWS’ is on view at the Museum Tower Kyobashi, Tokyo. shiro.dumbtype.com
TICKET
Admission
Weekdays: Adults ¥2,200 (advance) / ¥2,500 (same day)
Weekends & holidays: Adults ¥2,500 (advance) / ¥2,800 (same day)
*Advance tickets must be purchased by the day before your visit via the advance ticket site.
*Free for high school students and under (junior high and high school students must present their student ID).
*Free for visitors with a disability certificate, including one accompanying caregiver.
*Children of elementary school age and under must be accompanied by an adult guardian.
Official Ticket Site (etix)
*Tickets are also available via KKday here.
*A limited number of same-day tickets are also sold at the Azabudai Hills Gallery ticket counter.
VENUE
AZABUDAI HILLS GALLERY
Garden Plaza A, MB Floor, Azabudai Hills
5-8-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001
［Opening Hours］
Weekdays: 10:00–19:00 / Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays: 10:00–20:00 (Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
［Access］
Directly connected from the Basement 1 of Exit 5 at the Kamiyacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.
7-minute walk from Exit 4 of Roppongi-itchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line.
AMBIENT KYOTO
Exhibition of Sound, Visuals and Light,
Based on the Theme of ‘Ambient’
Exhibitions based in Kyoto, structured around ‘sound’, ‘art’ and ‘space’ under the theme of ‘ambient’, ‘AMBIENT KYOTO’ have been creating new experiences by mingling everyday life and the extraordinary, tradition and new culture, and people and the city since its inaugural exhibition in 2022.
For the very first event in 2022, ‘BRIAN ENO AMBIENT TOKYO’, featuring the works of ambient music pioneer, Brian Eno was held.
For the second year in 2023, work by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Shiro Takatani was exhibited on the basement floor of the Kyoto Shimbun Building, using 29 speakers and 6 subwoofers to create a three-dimensional audio experience.
Also, in the historic building ‘Kyoto Chuo Shinkin Bank’, former ‘Kosei Centre’ approximately 100 years old, AMBIENT KYOTO welcomed Cornelius, Buffalo Daughter and Seiichi Yamamoto to present installations combining sound, visuals and light.
This time, from August 28th (Friday) to October 25th (Sunday), we are opening the exhibition ‘RYUICHI SAKAMOTO + SHIRO TAKATANI AMBIENT KYOTO-TOKYO’ in Tokyo for the very first time. The venue is set at Azabudai Hills Gallery in Minato-ward, exhibiting the work ‘async – immersion’ by RYUICHI SAKAMOTO + SHIRO TAKATANI (Dumb Type), which was presented at ‘AMBIENT KYOTO 2023’. It will be exhibited under the title ‘RYUICHI SAKAMOTO + SHIRO TAKATANI-AMBIENT KYOTO – TOKYO’.
info@ambientkyoto.com