late composer ryuichi sakamoto celebrated with multimedia tribute exhibition in tokyo

Ryuichi Sakamoto Tribute at NTT Intercommunication Center

In honor of the late Ryuichi Sakamoto, the visionary composer who passed away in March 2023, a tribute exhibition unfolds at NTT Intercommunication Center (ICC) in Tokyo. Running from December 16, 2023, to March 10, 2024, the showcase pays homage to the life and creative legacy of Sakamoto, as well as his profound impact on the realms of music, media, and art.

Daito Manabe, from Tokyo-based creative collective Rhizomatiks, (see designboom’s interview here) a friend of Sakamoto’s, serves as the co-curator of the exhibition and presents works inspired by the performance data left behind by the late musician. The commemorative show also features diverse works by both domestic and international artists with whom Sakamoto had a close friendship.

Sapporo International Art Festival 2017: What is Art Festival? | image by Ikuya Sasaki

Ryuichi Sakamoto’s enduring legacy and collaborations

The longstanding relationship between the late musician Ryuichi Sakamoto and the NTT Intercommunication Center (find more here) traces its roots back to 1991, predating the center’s grand opening. Over the years, the artist fostered profound connections with the ICC, notably collaborating on events such as the 2005 concert linked to the exhibition Laurie Anderson: The Record of the Time. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in commemorative exhibitions alongside Takatani Shiro, marking the ICC’s tenth and twentieth anniversaries.

Ryuichi Sakamoto’s fascination with the Internet, stemming from its early years in the 1990s, manifested in his proactive engagement with the medium. He employed online platforms to host live events and various activities, seamlessly integrating media technology into his artistic endeavors. The current exhibition serves as a profound tribute to Sakamoto, acknowledging his immense contributions to the realm of media art.

The event seeks to experimentally propel the late composer’s legacy into the future, drawing on performance-related data left by him, collaborative works with Japanese and international artists, and documented records of his involvement with ICC exhibitions and activities. Throughout the exhibition period, an array of events is planned, including talks by curators, exhibiting artists, and guests, symposiums, screening programs, and concerts, fostering a dynamic celebration of Sakamoto’s enduring influence.

Sapporo International Art Festival 2017: What is Art Festival? | image by Ikuya Sasaki

Daito Manabe Explores Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Creative Frontiers

As co-curator Daito Manabe shares, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s lifelong creative pursuits serve as an endless source of inspiration for artists and musicians. Throughout his career, the renowned composer developed experimental projects by making full use of the cutting-edge technologies of the time, such as synthesizers, the Internet, and real-time CG. As the exhibition highlights, these achievements will be passed down to future generations.

‘Since 2019, I have been working on a project to archive Ryuichi’s performances using special photography equipment. I was in charge of system development and art direction, and had many conversations with him during this process. What particularly impressed me was that Mr. Ryuichi was interested not only in archived content but also in developing AI based on that data. His intense curiosity as he takes on new challenges using his own creative data is clear evidence that his creativity is constantly seeking new frontiers and evolving,’ says Manabe. ‘This exhibition will pay tribute to the beloved Ryuichi Sakamoto by utilizing the valuable data he left behind and creating works that will pass on his artistic aspirations to the future.’

Breath or Echo 2017, Sapporo International Art Festival 2017, installation view | image by Ikuya Sasaki

Sapporo International Art Festival 2017: What is Art Festival? | image by Ikuya Sasaki

Sensing Streams – invisible, inaudible / installation view at Sapporo International Art Festival 2014 | image by Kioku Keizo courtesy of Sapporo International Art Festival Executive Committee