Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on August 2011

Japan certainly needs some magic right now. Yokohama hopes to deliver it in the form of “Our Magic Hour,” the title of the city’s fourth art triennale. Sprawling over museums, galleries and outdoor exhibition spaces, the event presents works that allude to “the magical mysterious powers in our daily lives,” which seems timely with 3/11 bringing into doubt the powers of science and progress. Among the dozens of artists whose creations are on display are marquee names like sculptor Isamu Noguchi and photographer Nobuyoshi Araki as well as emerging artists both from Japan and abroad. Note to critics: the fourth Yokohama Triennale marks a downsizing in cutting-edge aspirations as the event drops the words “contemporary art” from its name.

Yokohama Museum of Art, BankART Studio NYK and other venues, Aug 6-Nov 6 (listing).