Located right outside the Marunouchi North Exit of JR Tokyo Station is the Tokyo Station Gallery. In this place, where journeys often begin, you can experience the exhibition Jean-Michel Folon: Imagination Travel Guide.
Within his works, anyone can travel anywhere. I took my time fully enjoying the freedom of this 《imaginary journey》.
“Imagination Travel Guide” as Folon’s Title
The first part of the exhibition displays none other than Folon’s business card. "Imagination Travel Guide" was Folon’s title.
Rather than calling himself an artist or writer, Folon preferred to think of himself as a guide to imaginative journeys, allowing his viewers to travel freely within his art.
The small, hat-wearing character, Little Hat Man, appearing in his work, adds to the excitement of these whimsical trips.
Kids’ Guide Includes Imagination-Boosting Glasses
Upon entering the gallery, to the left, you’ll find something beyond the usual exhibit list—a colorful kids’ guide!
Since my visit was during the summer vacation period, many children were enjoying the exhibit. Having something like this adds an extra layer of fun!
The kids’ guide includes easy-to-understand explanations of things that might spark children’s curiosity. I couldn’t help but wish I’d had something like this for my own daughter when she was younger.
The Journey Begins with a Mural
As I walked through the exhibition, I noticed a similarity between the lines, colors, and atmosphere of the works to Magritte’s style. As it turns out, Folon was deeply influenced by Magritte’s work early on.
Folon had been drawing since childhood, and when he stumbled upon Magritte’s mural The Enchanted Realm in a casino, it touched his heart. From there, he became fully absorbed in creating his own art.
Everyday Observations as Creative Motifs
Folon’s works often take everyday objects and reimagine them from various perspectives. Things that are typically seen as mundane become transformed through his keen observation.
Many of us have looked at objects like a sink or hooks fastened by screws and seen faces. Similarly, a tire’s wheel might resemble a sliced lemon, or perhaps a boat looks like a hat.
By carefully observing these things, Folon expanded his imagination, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Additionally, many of his works delve into themes such as human thought, decision-making, war, and environmental issues. The weight of these subjects is reflected in the atmosphere of each piece, adding to the feeling of freedom one experiences when traveling through Folon’s world.
I also felt that if I had encountered these works during my adolescence, I might have been completely immersed in this imaginative realm.
Folon’s Work in Global Media
Folon contributed to posters, magazine covers, and illustrations for various events and publications. Notably, he illustrated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has been translated into over 500 languages worldwide. Folon’s illustrations appear alongside the gentle words of Japanese poet Shuntaro Tanikawa in the Japanese edition, commissioned by Amnesty International.
Ink and Ink Wash Drawings: Imagination in Black and White
Many of Folon’s ink and ink wash drawings are on display. While some pieces have obvious motifs, many remain untitled, leaving room for the viewer to imagine what Folon was thinking when he drew them.
These simple drawings, stemming from careful observation and imagination, were what first brought Folon wide recognition. Indeed, there is something undeniably captivating about them.
As I studied each one, it felt like I was packing for an imaginary trip.
Sculptures That Carry the Mind Away
Wait, wood carvings? But they’re so glossy! These sculptures that look like wood carvings are, in fact, bronze. The texture on the surface, however, gives them an organic, almost soft quality, making them feel like wood.
Most of the sculptures on display were bronze, yet I found myself repeatedly thinking, "This has to be wood, right?" only to realize it was bronze upon closer inspection.
The sculptures exude a quiet, gentle atmosphere that seems to soften the metallic material.
One of the larger sculptures near the exit, The Secret, evoked a sense of reflection on the imaginary journey I’d just experienced. As I stood there gazing at it, I felt as though my mind had been drawn back into that imaginative world.
Directly Connected to Tokyo Station—Start Your Journey Without a Ticket! Exhibition Runs Until September 23, 2024
The Tokyo Station Gallery is located right next to the dome at the Marunouchi North Exit of JR Tokyo Station. From the exit, simply turn right. It’s a 3-minute walk from the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, 5 minutes from Otemachi Station on the Tozai Line, and 7 minutes from Nijubashimae Station on the Chiyoda Line—all comfortably within walking distance.
Next to the entrance, a small, hat-wearing figure carrying a crescent-moon-shaped bag seems to be inviting you on an imaginary journey.
There are many works like this on display. Personally, I was drawn more to these simple line drawings than the more fantastical pieces featured in the main visuals.
With such a wide range of works, spanning different periods and themes, there’s truly something for everyone.
In Folon’s world, you can travel anywhere, free and unbound.
Why not let Jean-Michel Folon, Imagination Travel Guide, lead you on an imaginary journey at the Tokyo Station Gallery?
