Exploring Memory and Greenery: Hiroshima's Journey since 1945

On August 11, 2025, at 18:30, YUGEN Gallery in Omotesando, Tokyo, will host a free online talk event titled "Considering the Distance from August 1945 through Plants." This event is part of the Hiroshima Midori toridori exhibition celebrating the 80th anniversary of the post-war era.

The exhibition, currently running from August 1 to 17, captures the transformation of Hiroshima’s flora, tracing the landscape shaped by the atomic bombing in 1945. This timely reflection invites attendees to explore how contemporary individuals resonate with collective memories of the past.

Event Details

- Title: Considering the Distance from August 1945 through Plants
- Date and Time: August 11, 2025, at 18:30 (Expected Duration: 90 minutes)
- Format: YouTube Live (Free / No Registration Required)
- Streaming URL: YouTube Event Link
- Moderator: Ryohei Kan (Artist)
- Artists Participating: Moeko Tokumoto, Mayu Watanabe, Asuka Takamatsu, Taiki Arita.

This talk brings together artist Ryohei Kan, who specializes in reflections on post-WWII history, to delve into the works and backgrounds of the participating artists. Together, they will discuss the potential of revisiting memories through artistic expressions that convey the passage of time since the war.

Exhibition Overview

Dates: August 1 - 17, 2025
Location: YUGEN Gallery, 4F KD Minami Aoyama Building, 3-1-31 Minamiaoyama, Tokyo
Hours: 13:00 - 19:00 (Weekdays); 13:00 - 20:00 (Opening Day & Weekends/Holidays)
Admission: Free
- Note: Operating hours may change depending on circumstances. For updates, please check the official gallery site.

The Gallery’s Statement

80 years have passed since the devastation of Hiroshima. Today, the city is lush with greenery but faces challenges, including the recent surge of fallen trees due to age. The exhibit encourages reflection on how these living landscapes are intertwined with the city’s history.

Artists presenting new works include:

- Moeko Tokumoto, known for her intricate sewn leaf pieces symbolizing the connections between nature and human impact.
- Mayu Watanabe, whose collages and video installations create imaginary ecosystems using photographs of Hiroshima's flora.
- Asuka Takamatsu, who captures scenes inspired by past memories to showcase the economic and artistic transformations of the city.
- Taiki Arita, focusing on the ‘Black Rain’ phenomenon following the bombing, exploring the materiality of memory through abstract works.

This exhibition, titled Hiroshima Midori toridori, aims to explore the evolution of Hiroshima's landscape and how memory shapes our understanding of the past. It serves as a platform for dialogue about the impact of war and how we engage with it in contemporary society.

YUGEN Gallery

Established in February 2022, YUGEN Gallery specializes in contemporary Japanese art, nurturing relationships with emerging and established artists. The name 'YUGEN', encapsulates features of beauty often found in Japanese art, with a vision to share its depth, elegance, and grace with a broader audience.

For those unable to attend the physical exhibition, the online talk is an excellent opportunity to engage with the discussed themes and artists, gaining insight into the complex narrative of Hiroshima's post-war form and memory interconnected with nature.

For more details, follow YUGEN Gallery’s official site.