Just steps away from the Marunouchi North Exit of JR Tokyo Station lies the Tokyo Station Gallery. It's here, at a place that overlooks the beginning of countless journeys, that the exhibition Imaginary Travel Guide Jean-Michel Folon is being held.
Within his works, anyone can go anywhere. I enjoyed a leisurely and immersive experience of imaginary travel through his art.
Currently, the exhibition is on view at the Nagoya City Art Museum, and it will later tour to Osaka's Abeno Harukas Art Museum.
"Imaginary Travel Guide" as Folon's Title
The first exhibit in the gallery was none other than Folon’s business card. "Imaginary Travel Guide" is the title he gave himself.
Not a painter, nor a writer, but an "Imaginary Travel Guide." Folon saw himself as a guide to the freedom of traveling through his works.
The small, hat-wearing character "Little Hat Man," who appears throughout his works, adds an extra layer of excitement to these imagined journeys.
A Kid-Friendly Guide Complete with Imaginary World Glasses
Upon entering the gallery, I noticed a colorful sheet of paper to the left that caught my eye—it was a kid-friendly guide!
Perhaps due to the summer holiday period, many children were visiting the exhibition that day. Resources like this make the experience even more enjoyable.
The guide explained things in a simple and clear manner, answering questions kids might naturally have. I couldn’t help but think how great it would have been to encounter something like this when my daughter was young.
A Journey that Begins with a Mural
As I wandered through the exhibit, I couldn’t help but notice a certain similarity in lines, colors, and atmosphere to René Magritte's works. It turns out that Magritte had indeed influenced Folon’s early creative endeavors.
Folon, who had been drawing with pen and paper from a young age, stumbled upon Magritte’s mural The Enchanted Domain in a casino building. This encounter profoundly touched him and inspired his dive into art.
Everyday Observations as Motifs for His Works
Folon’s works often depict ordinary objects from everyday life, reimagined through extensive observation and a unique perspective.
Have you ever seen three circles on a bathroom sink or a screw-locked hook and thought they resembled a face? Or noticed the similarity between a car tire’s wheel and a lemon slice? Perhaps you’ve thought that ships resemble hats?
By closely observing the mundane, Folon transformed these observations into a vast imaginary world.
In addition to whimsical themes, many of his works address deeper topics such as human thought, choices, war, and environmental issues. The weight and tone of these works vary, making the idea of "freedom to travel within the works" even more vivid.
Had I encountered this world during my adolescence, I might have been completely captivated by it.
Folon also created posters, magazine covers, and illustrations, including artwork for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has been translated into over 500 languages worldwide. Commissioned by Amnesty International, the Japanese version paired poet Shuntaro Tanikawa’s gentle words with Folon’s imaginative visuals.
Many monochromatic ink and pen drawings were on display. While some motifs were straightforward, many pieces were untitled, inviting viewers to imagine their own interpretations.
These drawings were instrumental in bringing Folon into the public eye. I found them deeply captivating—his ability to distill observed realities into simple yet evocative imagery was remarkable.
Each piece felt like packing for an imaginary journey, preparing to set off into a world of wonder.
Sculptures That Tug at the Heartstrings
“Is this wood carving? It’s so glossy!” I thought while looking at a sculpture, only to discover that it was actually made of bronze. The texture was so reminiscent of wood that I repeatedly found myself thinking, “Surely this one is wood… nope, it’s bronze again!”
The soft, organic quality of the material seemed to imbue the sculptures with a serene and elusive atmosphere.
One of the final pieces on display, a large sculpture titled Secret, evoked a reflective mood, as if urging me to ponder the imaginary journeys I had just taken. It was an extraordinary experience that left my heart lingering in the world of imagination.
Start Your Journey at Tokyo Station: No Transportation Required
Located under the Marunouchi North Dome at JR Tokyo Station, the Tokyo Station Gallery is easily accessible: just a short walk from the Marunouchi Line Tokyo Station (3 minutes), the Tozai Line Otemachi Station (5 minutes), or the Chiyoda Line Nijubashimae Station (7 minutes).
At the entrance, a small, hat-wearing figure with a crescent-shaped bag seemed to beckon visitors to embark on an imaginary journey.
The exhibition offers a wide variety of pieces, from fantastical works like the main visual to simpler drawings that deeply resonate with viewers.
Each piece possesses a unique character, and the range of emotions and themes felt across the exhibition was remarkable.
Why not let Folon guide you on a journey of imagination and pay a visit to the Tokyo Station Gallery?
