A Golden Realm in the Bustling City

Living in a fast-paced urban environment, have you ever wished for a space to relax amidst the hustle and bustle? Renowned Japanese artist Ryo Toyofuku has transformed the Oil Street Glass House into a unique artistic "otherworld" for this exhibition. Featuring dazzling and luxurious art installations, the exhibition reflects the artist's imagination and sentiments about Hong Kong. Comprising two contrasting works—one dynamic and one tranquil—the "Golden Realm" offers visitors an extraordinary and unforgettable experience, seemingly detached from reality.

Oil Street Realization has invited Ryo Toyofuku to Hong Kong for his first solo exhibition. Known for his "extraordinary" creative philosophy, Toyofuku specializes in constructing large-scale works that aim to provide audiences with a memorable experience beyond the ordinary. He hopes his creations inspire visitors to bring newfound insights back to their daily lives and approach everyday experiences with fresh perspectives.

To prepare for this exhibition, Toyofuku visited Hong Kong to immerse himself in local culture, resulting in two large-scale art installations for Oil Street Realization. The serene and elegant "Golden Tea Room" glimmers with gold and is adorned with Toyofuku's hand-drawn artworks inspired by Hong Kong. The tranquil space, complemented by a garden reminiscent of a Japanese dry landscape, makes the tea room appear like an island amidst the bustling city.

Outside the Golden Tea Room, the ground is covered with white gravel, evoking traditional Japanese dry gardens. The tea room becomes a meditative space surrounded by various symbolic elements, serving as a venue for chance encounters and exchanges. The silver walls symbolize reality, while the gold covering the tea room represents the "extraordinary," creating a floating island-like structure that offers a unique and peaceful retreat. Inside the tea room, 213 paintings created by the artist specifically for the exhibition depict scenes from his observations in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, the "Golden Playground" is designed as an "extraordinary" playroom detached from reality. The artist has curated decorations and furnishings from various cultures, incorporating electronic and tabletop games to invite visitors to interact and connect with others in this "otherworldly" space.

The room's walls are covered with fabrics featuring diverse patterns and textures, while various decorations and furnishings evoke different cultures and regions. Upon closer inspection, most of the items are sourced from Hong Kong, and the games reflect both Japanese and local characteristics. This space blends cultural elements from different regions, immersing visitors in a multi-dimensional world.

The two contrasting works, united under the theme of "Golden Realm," immerse visitors in a space infused with Japanese aesthetics and cultural elements from both regions. The exhibition encourages cross-cultural exchanges and invites audiences to rethink their daily lives from a fresh perspective.

"Oil Street Focus—Ryo Toyofuku's Golden Realm"
Exhibition Period: Until August 17, 2025
Location: Oil Street Glass House, Oil Street Realization
Free Admission

Post by Fruit Punch 雜果賓誌 | Apr 26, 2025