Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2013

French artist Sophie Calle has created two installations questioning how we perceive beauty, both on exhibit at the intimate Hara Museum in a quiet Shinagawa back street. The Last Image interweaves text and photographs relating to people who have lost the power of sight. Voir la mer captures on film the expression of people seeing the ocean for the first time. To the sound of waves, Calle’s installations contemplate questions explored since her 1986 work The Blind: What is beauty? What does it mean to see? Calle has held major solo exhibitions and represented France at the Venice Biennale and other events.

Hara Museum of Contemporary Art, until Jun 30. ¥500-1,000. Open Tue-Sun 11am-5pm, closed Mon. 4-7-25 Kita-Shinagawa. Nearest stn: Kita-shinagawa. Tel: 03-3445-0651. www.haramuseum.or.jp