Haruomi Hosono

I spent some truly unforgettable times in London during the New Wave and New Romantic era. But when I returned in the late ’80s, the atmosphere of the city and the people had completely changed.

I really felt the shift of the times. I’ve always been drawn to Francis Bacon’s paintings, with their unsettling undertones, and I still remember seeing an exhibition that recreated his studio.

On my recent visit to London, I made sure to stop by Tate again. This exhibition is a chance to revisit that pivotal moment in time and see how British art has evolved from that turning point through the ’90s and into today. I’m really looking forward to experiencing that journey.

Profile:
Born in Tokyo in 1947. Musician. Debuted in 1969 with “April Fool.” Formed “Happy End” in 1970. Began solo activities in 1973, simultaneously active as “Tin Pan Alley.” Formed Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) in 1978. Provided songs for the pop music scene while also working as a producer and label owner. After YMO disbanded, explored world music, ambient, and electronica, engaging in diverse activities including composition, production, and film scores.

Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/haruomihosono_information/
X：https://x.com/hosonoharuomi_

Asuka Saito

To be honest, even though we use the word “art” so casually, I’ve never really been sure where art begins or ends. I always felt it was a bit hard to approach, and that made me hesitate to engage with it.

What changed everything for me was a visit to Tate Modern in London. I still remember stepping inside for the first time without understanding the meaning or context of the works, I nonetheless felt an inexplicable pull toward them.

That’s why I’m so thrilled that so many works from Tate are coming to Japan for this exhibition. To me, Britain is a country with a fascinating history of respecting tradition while embracing new cultures. Its dry wit, beautifully melancholy music, and fashion that feels both classic and modern, relaxed yet refined, all hold a special charm.

If all of these things can be embraced under the word “art,” then art is already a part of our everyday lives, and perhaps that sense of distance I once felt was never really there at all.It means a great deal to me to witness this exhibition—almost as a way of making sense of that realisation. I truly can’t wait to see how this exhibition unfolds.

Profile:
Born August 10, 1998, in Tokyo. Passed the Nogizaka46 audition in 2011, joining the group as the youngest member of the first generation. Served as a regular model for fashion magazine “sweet” and hosted EX’s “Hamasuka Broadcasting Club” (2021–), leading the group as its ace. After graduating from the group in May 2023, she is now active as an actress and model. Major works include: Drama “Lion’s Hideaway” (2024) as Mio Makimura Drama “My Favorite Child” / Film “My Favorite Child -The Final Act-” (2024) as Ai Drama “Love is Darkness” (2025) as Mikuru Shitara Winner of the 48th Japan Academy Prize for Newcomer of the Year (2025).

Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/asuka.3110.official/
X：https://x.com/asuka3110_staff