Mariko Mori Returns to Tokyo with a Major Retrospective
Japanese contemporary artist Mariko Mori is presenting a major retrospective of her work at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo. Titled Mariko Mori: All That Shines, the exhibition opened on October 31, 2026, and will run until March 28, 2027.
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At 59, Mori continues to explore the relationship between humanity, nature, technology and the universe. The exhibition features approximately 40 works created over more than three decades, offering visitors an opportunity to follow the evolution of her artistic ideas and visual language.
The retrospective is her first major museum exhibition in Japan in 24 years and is organised by the Mori Art Museum in collaboration with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.
From Futuristic Photography to Spiritual Installations
Mori first gained international recognition in the 1990s through performance-based photography and video works that combined futuristic imagery, digital technology and popular culture. Her early work explored subjects such as Japanese anime, gender and post-human identity.
Over time, her artistic focus expanded towards questions of life, death, consciousness and the cosmos. Buddhist philosophy, ancient traditions and scientific research became important influences on her work.
One notable example is Wave UFO (1999–2002), an interactive installation that used brainwave feedback technology. The work reflects Mori’s interest in combining scientific innovation with experiences of human consciousness.
The retrospective brings together photography, video, drawings, sculptures and large-scale installations, highlighting the different ways she has explored these themes.
Peace Crystal: A Vision for Humanity’s Shared Origins
Alongside the Tokyo exhibition, Mori is continuing her international public art project through the Faou Foundation, which she established in 2010.
One of its central works is Peace Crystal, a translucent, human-sized sculpture made from crystal glass. Measuring 167.5 centimetres, the sculpture features a central sphere that represents the soul, surrounded by forms symbolising the human body.
The work reflects Mori’s interest in shared human origins, peace and the connection between people and nature. It was unveiled in Venice in 2024 before being designated for permanent installation in a cave in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia holds particular significance for the project because of its importance in the study of human evolution and shared human ancestry. The foundation is working towards placing permanent, site-specific artworks across the planet’s six habitable continents.
Art as a Bridge Between Nature and Technology
Through the Faou Foundation, Mori aims to create artworks that connect local communities with their natural surroundings and cultural heritage. The foundation’s projects are designed to encourage environmental awareness and highlight the relationship between humanity and the planet.
Its earlier installations include Primal Rhythm: Sun Pillar in Miyako Island, Japan, and Ring: One with Nature near a waterfall in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
These projects reflect a recurring idea in Mori’s practice: that technological progress and ancient spiritual traditions can exist together while encouraging a deeper appreciation of the natural world.
All That Shines: An Invitation to Explore Mori’s Artistic Journey
The title All That Shines refers to the importance of light throughout Mori’s work. From futuristic images to immersive installations, light has remained a recurring element in her exploration of consciousness, spirituality and the universe.
The exhibition offers audiences a chance to understand how her practice has developed over more than 30 years, while presenting ideas that remain relevant in an age of rapid technological change and growing environmental concerns.
Exhibition Details
● Venue: Mori Art Museum, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, Tokyo
● Exhibition: Mariko Mori: All That Shines
● Dates: October 31, 2026 – March 28, 2027
● Works: Approximately 40 works spanning more than three decades
Mariko Mori’s work brings together technology, spirituality, science and nature to explore humanity’s place in the universe. As her Tokyo retrospective revisits more than three decades of artistic experimentation, the Peace Crystal project carries her vision beyond museums and into the natural landscapes of the world.
Through these initiatives, Mori continues to encourage conversations about shared humanity, environmental responsibility and the possibilities of art to connect people across cultures.
