Ephemera: Printed Matter and Expression

Exhibition flyers and pamphlets, sometimes referred to as ‘ephemera’, are produced not for long-term storage like artworks or books, but rather for temporary distribution of information. These printed ephemera, typically produced and distributed at a low cost, also function as important items to capture the events and atmosphere of the particular historical period. Recently, they have gained recognition as collectable items within museums and other cultural institutions.

This exhibition highlights ‘printed ephemera’ that acted as a medium for social circulation through their inexpensive production. Postwar art expanded into new forms of expression, including conceptual art, event and experimental film. Under these circumstances, printed ephemera such as exhibition pamphlets, catalogues, and art magazines, conveyed essential information and provided artists a platform to express themselves and experiment within the confines of a limited number of pages.

This exhibition will introduce these experiments with ephemera, while presenting printed matter/ephemera as a vehicle for information and expression.

In addition, we are holding an exhibition of the works of Tatsuo Kawaguchi and Motohiro Tomii, two contemporary artists who have a keen interest in printed matter/ephemera.

Date
Monday, March 18 – Friday, May 10, 2024
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays
Special opening on Saturday: March 30 and April 20
(Temporary closed days: Monday, April 1 and Tuesday, April 30 to Thursday, May 2)
11:00 – 18:00
Venue
Keio Museum Commons, East Annex, Keio University Mita Campus
Audience
Open to the public
Cost
Admission free
Enquiries and
bookings
Keio Museum Commons

Exhibition Highlights

Photo by Katsura Muramatsu(Calo Works)

1. Catalogues of Minami Gallery｜Minami Gallery｜1956–1979｜Keio University Art Center and Japan Cultural Research Institute

2. SAC / SAC Journal｜Sogetsu Art Center｜1960–1964｜Keio University Art Center

3. Art & Project bulletin｜art & project｜1968–1989｜private collection and other

*The order indicates following; printed matter title｜publisher｜publication period｜jurisdiction

Related events【Reservations required】
Events take place in Japanese only. Free admission, advance reservations required.

1．Gallery Talk

Gallery Talk｜Monday, March 25, 2024　15:00－16:00
Click here to make a reservation.

2．Artist Talk

Tatsuo Kawaguchi｜Thursday, April 11, 2024　18:00–
Motohiro Tomii｜Saturday, April 20, 2024　15:00–
Click here to make a reservation.

3．“Residents of ephemera habitats” Talk

Hitoshi Kubo (Keio University Art Center) ｜Thursday, April 4, 2024　18:30–

Click here to make a reservation.

Video

An archive video of the talk event Talk Event “Ephemera: Library, Museum, and Archive,” held on 16 September 2023 ahead of the exhibition, is now available. (Open to the public until end of March 2025).