Art Collaboration Kyoto fair celebrates five years of matchmaking galleries
The distinctive event pairs Japanese galleries with international partners on shared stands
The Art Collaboration Kyoto (ACK) fair celebrated its fifth anniversary this year, an event that pairs Japanese commercial galleries with international counterparts for shared exhibition spaces. This year's edition took place at the Kyoto International Conference Center from November 7 to 9. Organized by Miho Doi, ACK's director of experiences, the fair has gained popularity due to its distinctive exhibitor model, which appeals to both galleries and artists.
This year, the fair featured prominent Western galleries like Hauser & Wirth, Jeffrey Deitch, and Carlos Ishikawa, alongside Asian galleries such as Seoul's Gallery Hyundai.
The collaborative format aims to provide both Japanese and international galleries an opportunity to work together, introduce their artists and programs to new audiences, and offer a less daunting experience for overseas galleries entering a new market. Taro Nasu from Tokyo teamed up with Hauser & Wirth for a presentation focused on text in contemporary art, while Nanzuka from Tokyo collaborated with Jeffrey Deitch.
Tokyo Gallery + BTAP joined forces with Gallery Hyundai to present post-war Japanese and Korean experimental practices, including the Korean artist Seung-taek Lee and the Japanese artist Kishio Suga.
In addition to the main exhibition area, ACK featured a dedicated section for 11 individual galleries with strong connections to Kyoto. Mendes Wood DM showcased works by Tomie Ohtake and other artists, while Hong Kong’s Kiang Malingue displayed pieces by Yang Chi-Chuan and Faye Wei Wei, whose sculptures and paintings were influenced by Kyoto's landscapes and urban environment.
The fair also coincided with a series of special exhibitions and projects across the city. This year, Scottish painter Andrew Cranston presented an installation at Ryosokuin Temple in Kyoto's historic Gion district, organized by Modern Art and Ingleby. Carlos Ishikawa staged a presentation of works by Evelyn Taocheng Wang and Issy Wood at Korin-in Temple.
Under a new leadership committee structure, ACK aims to develop into a platform that connects the art scenes of Japan and the world, generating a virtuous cycle between cultural and commercial value. The committee, consisting of seven members with expertise in various fields, aims to expand the fair's reach and impact in the coming years.
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