PRESS RELEASE 2022.3.14

To members of the press

Exhibition Announcement

Spinning Crocodiles, Tamura Satoru
It is with great pleasure that we present a solo exhibition of contemporary artist, Tamura Satoru
from June 15 (Wed.), 2022 at The National Art Center, Tokyo (Roppongi, Tokyo), whichcelebrates its 15th anniversary this year.
The colorful sculptures of his masterpiece, "Spinning Crocodiles", will be presented as a largescale installation work, with a giant 12-meter-long crocodile in the center. Tamura's works, fullof humor, will shake our established sense of values and make us think about the question,"What is art?" This exhibition will be enjoyed by children and adults alike as they experience
the artist's free and rich imagination.

Tamura Satoru, Spin Crocodile, 1994, Kurumaya Museum ofArt, Oyama
Photographed by Kigure Shinya

Tamura Satoru meets Kawaguchi Munichipal Maekawahigashi Elementary School, “We Are
Spinning Crocodiles”, 2019, ATLIA, Kawaguchi Art Gallery, installation view
Photographed by Kaneda Kozo

■Exhibition Overview
・Exhibition Title:
・Date:
・Opening Hours:
・Venue:・Organized by:・With the exhibition
cooperation of:・Admission:・Inquiries:
・Website:

Spinning Crocodiles, Tamura Satoru
June 15 (Wed.) – July 18 (Mon.), 2022 *Closed on Tuesdays
10:00-18:00 *10:00-20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays(Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
The National Art Center, Tokyo / Special Exhibition Gallery 1E (Roppongi,Tokyo)
The National Art Center, Tokyo
MAKI Gallery; TEZUKAYAMA GALLERY; Nihon University College of Art;
Utsunomiya Media-Arts College
Free(+81) 47-316-2772 (Hello Dial)
https://www.nact.jp/english/exhibitions/2022/spinningcrocodiles/

PRESS RELEASE 2022.3.14■Artist Profile
TAMURA Satoru (contemporary artist)
Born in Tochigi Prefecture in 1972. Graduated from University ofTsukuba, School of Art and Design, Mixed Media and Plastic Arts,
in 1995. He has produced and exhibited works that include"Spinning Crocodiles," "Standing Bears Go Back," "Mountains that
Climb," "Rattling Cloth," "Sculptures with Even Weights,""Exaggerated and Open Switches," "Shapes or Letters that KeepMoving," "A Device to Hit 10 Times," "Installation Just to Utilize
the Space," and more.
https://www.tamurasatoru.com
Don't ask why crocodiles spin.
In the fall of my third year at university, I had the assignment to create "art equipmentusing electricity." Unfamiliar with electricity and no experience in the field, I was at aloss. The night before I was supposed to announce my plan, I decided to go to bed
thinking whatever I envision first thing in the morning would be what I was going tomake. The next morning, for some reason, it was an image of spinning crocodiles thatpopped up in my head. I didn't know why but I decided that was it. I made a 4.5meter crocodile spinning at 30 rpm (in 1994), and it was so beyond my comprehensionthat I was intensely excited, as if I had encountered something completely alien,
although it was me that created it. It was then that I first became really conscious
about becoming a creator.
After that, I continued my creative activity for several years, thinking about themeaning of why "crocodiles spin," until I finally realized that it was not the "spinningcrocodiles" that was meaningful, but that this mysterious situation where "crocodiles
are spinning, and I don't know why" is the essence of the work.
There is no answer to the question, "Why do crocodiles spin?" I would like you totake this big question home with you.
Tamura Satoru■Workshop: "Making Spinning Crocodiles"
Let's make Spinning Crocodiles with Tamura Satoru! Your artwork will be exhibited with othermany crocodiles at the gallery. (in Japanese only)・Dates:April 29 (Fri.), 2022 10:30-15:30,
May 3 (Tue.), 2022 10:30-14:30*This is a two-day workshop. Please apply
those who can participate both days.
・Venue:The National Art Center, TokyoAnnex 3F Multipurpose Room・Target:
Elementary school students 5th grade andover *Adults can also participate
・Capacity:
20 people *Reservation required
・Participation fee: 2,000 yen per person*The created crocodile will be returned to the participants after the exhibition is over.
*Details will be announced on NACT's website as soon as it is decided.

Media Inquiries

The National Art Center, Tokyo - Office of Communications and International Affairs
7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8558
TEL: (+81)3-6812-9925 (Weekdays 10:00 - 17:00) FAX: (+81)3-3405-2532 Email: pr@nact.jp