A New Gallery Created by Unsold Works

March 17, 2013—The figures of three contemporary artists were present at the Yasukuni Shrine flea market. Sophie Calle met the young artist Ryota Aoyagi through a peculiar connection, and through her, Hiroshi Sugimoto came to know Aoyagi. The three secretly participated in the flea market, setting up their own stalls.

On March 17, 2013, from 7 AM to 3 PM, Sophie Calle, Ryota Aoyagi, and Hiroshi Sugimoto set up three stalls at the Yasukuni Shrine flea market.

Sophie's display consisted of used items, with no provenance provided. She wrote anecdotes from "True Stories" and arranged objects linked to them. Ten items were sold for ¥108,500, while thirteen remained unsold.

Sugimoto's display featured genuine antiques and one of his own works, each accompanied by a provenance, though these were all dubious tales. Four items were sold for ¥67,000, and twelve remained unsold.

Ryota's display, in his usual style at flea markets, blended antiques and installation art, with no accompanying explanations. Nine items were sold for ¥740,000, and ten remained unsold.

In the afternoon, an American guide with a group passed by us and said, "This doesn't seem worth looking at."

These are the unsold items.

This exhibition will display the actual unsold items from the flea market, recreating the stalls of that day within the gallery space. Additionally, a limited edition catalog "UNSOLD" (500 copies) will be published, featuring documentary shots and the setup of the stalls on the day of the flea market. Why not experience this space, a new gallery born from unsold works?

"UNSOLD - Hiroshi Sugimoto / Sophie Calle / Ryota Aoyagi"
Dates | November 20 (Thu) - January 31 (Sat) *Closed Sundays, Mondays, and national holidays. Winter closure also applies.
Hours | 11:00 - 19:00
Venue | Gallery Koyanagi
1-7-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Koyanagi Bldg. 8F
Tel. 03-3561-1896
http://www.gallerykoyanagi.com/