Tony Oursler's Groundbreaking Multimedia Art Exhibition Comes to Tokyo Node

A Groundbreaking Exhibition by Tony Oursler

The renowned multimedia artist Tony Oursler will showcase his first major solo exhibition in Japan, titled "Tony Oursler: Between Technology and Wit—Magic, Media, and Art," at TOKYO NODE from July 3 to September 27, 2026. Housed in the towering Toranomon Hills, TOKYO NODE serves as a hub for innovation and creativity managed by Mori Building Company.

Tony Oursler, born in New York City in 1957, is celebrated for creating immersive installations that interweave video, sculpture, sound, light, and language. A pioneer in the art of projection mapping, Oursler’s work prompts critical discussions on the intricate relationships between imagery, narrative, technology, belief systems, and society.

His artistic universe spans an array of realms, including pop culture, science, conspiracy theories, religion, and even the paranormal. Through a candid use of humor and poetic insight, Oursler reflects society's anxieties and desires surrounding "the unseen," such as data flows and surveillance systems, guiding viewers on a journey of introspection influenced by their sensory experiences.

This exhibition will feature key early works, such as Private (1994-1997) and Specular (2021), alongside newly developed site-specific installations created specifically for the TOKYO NODE space. Moreover, approximately 3,000 archival materials reflecting Oursler’s lifelong research into science, magic, and the unexplained will also be displayed, offering visitors a rich catalog of his creative inspirations.

In recent years, the advancements in AI, surveillance technology, and generative media have transformed our perceptions of reality and belief. Concurrently, there has been a surge of interest in spiritual themes and the inexplicable. Oursler's work has consistently scrutinized the intersectionality of technology and wisdom, making this exhibition particularly relevant in the contemporary landscape.

Highlights of the Exhibition

1. A Comprehensive Display of Oursler's Works: This exhibit is set to be the most extensive presentation of Oursler's art in Japan to date, featuring notable pieces like Dust (2006) and The Unexpected (2015-2016), which is now in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Over 50% of the exhibited works will be making their debut in Japan.

2. Groundbreaking Collaboration with David Bowie: After a quarter-century, Oursler will premiere Sky (2000), a collaboration with the late musician David Bowie and composer Glenn Branca at the exhibition, marking its world debut. This piece integrates video projections of Bowie's spoken performances with Branca's distinctive music, resulting in an evolving audio-visual experience.

3. New Site-Specific Works: Utilizing a vaulted gallery space that reaches 15 meters in height, Oursler is creating a large-scale site-specific installation titled Chimera (2026). This work will draw upon urban legends and mythical creatures and aims to engage visitors with the narrative wonders that span Japan and beyond.

Featured Works

- Specular (2021): An installation of various "eyes" projected in the dark, inviting viewers to contemplate notions around perception and watching culture. This project has been evolving since 1995, questioning the role of the observer in a media-saturated environment.
- Sky (2000—Tokyo Version): This project blends an original poetic text by Oursler with video of Bowie's performances and the intricate sounds of Branca, forming an ever-shifting auditory landscape.
- Rock 2, 4, 6 (2010): An exploration of perception grounded in psychological experiments, using whispers and visual layering to delve into themes of will, fear, and self-perception.
- The Unexpected (2015-2016): A long film installation featuring fantastical yet true stories involving magicians, artist family members, and even characters inspired by Sherlock Holmes. The piece cleverly incorporates a 19th-century illusion technique interpreted in a modern context, using humor to provoke thought on belief and truth.

About Tony Oursler

Tony Oursler has been exhibiting internationally since the 1980s in prestigious venues like MoMA and the Centre Pompidou. His works reside in esteemed institutions worldwide, including the Tate and the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art. Oursler expressed his excitement regarding his first large-scale exhibition in Japan, emphasizing the profound influence of Japanese culture on his artistic journey.

“The balance of deep historical narratives and cutting-edge experimentalism that Japan represents is particularly important as we navigate new technologies that challenge our understanding of human essence,” he stated. Oursler believes that creativity is critical amidst the challenges spawned by technological advancements, reaffirming the essential role of art in these discussions.