TOKYO -- An international exhibition of "art medals," or creative works that fit in the palm of one's hand, is underway in Japan's capital for the first time.

       The FIDEM International Contemporary Art Medal Exhibition is held every two years in different countries. The current exhibit at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo in the capital's Meguro Ward is the 36th edition of the event and the first one held in Asia.

       Works are seen on display at the FIDEM International Contemporary Art Medal Exhibition at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo in the capital's Meguro Ward on Dec. 10, 2021. (The Mainichi/Chinami Takeichi)

       In addition to round metallic objects -- the classic form of medals gifted as tokens of honor and celebration -- artworks made of wood, stone and paper, among other material, also count as "art medals." There is no fixed definition of the artform, and an eclectic mix of works are being showcased.

       Some 850 works from 37 countries have been gathered for the exhibit, and among them are a work submitted from the United States featuring a carving of former U.S. President Donald Trump's face, as well as other works shaped like a measuring tape and a magnifying glass. A Polish artist's "medal" includes mini blue plastic bottles, which seem to be a statement on marine pollution.

       A Portuguese work that may catch people's eyes resembles a severed arm holding a ball of yarn at the end. When I visited I was astonished that this tiny twig-like object, far from being round, could also be considered a "medal." Slabs of rock, a plain black ball, and paper airplane medals were also on display.

       Works are seen on display at the FIDEM International Contemporary Art Medal Exhibition at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo in the capital's Meguro Ward on Dec. 10, 2021. (The Mainichi/Chinami Takeichi)

       Works are seen on display at the FIDEM International Contemporary Art Medal Exhibition at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo in the capital's Meguro Ward on Dec. 10, 2021. (The Mainichi/Chinami Takeichi)

       The various designs depict the messages expressed freely by each artist. FIDEM Tokyo 2020 producer Toshiaki Yamada said, "As long as they can be held in the hand, anything goes for art medals. The fun aspect of this exhibit is that classic-looking medals that people are more familiar with are placed right next to ones that nobody would believe are medals."

       The medal art is displayed in seven tatami-mat rooms along a stairway of 99 steps called "Hyakudan Kaidan," a historical structure and cultural asset of Tokyo. Visitors can enjoy entering each room as they make their way up the long flight of stairs, while getting a taste of the interesting fusion of traditional decor and contemporary artworks.

       The exhibit is being held every day until Dec. 16. Hotel Gajoen Tokyo is about a three-minute walk from Meguro Station. The exhibition will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last entry at 5:30 p.m. Admission is 1,000 yen (roughly $9) for adults.

       The "Hyakudan Kaidan" stairway at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, where the FIDEM International Contemporary Art Medal Exhibition is taking place, is seen in Tokyo's Meguro Ward on Dec. 10, 2021. (The Mainichi/Chinami Takeichi)

       FIDEM, or the International Art Medal Federation, is an organization established in 1937 to raise awareness of art of medals on a global level. More information on the exhibition can be found at http://fidem2020.tokyo/about-exhibition (in English) and http://fidem2020.main.jp/archives/information/outline (in Japanese).

       (By Chinami Takeichi, The Mainichi Staff Writer)

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