MacArthur “Genius” Tara Donovan Holds First Solo Exhibition in Tokyo

Written by ART Driven Tokyo

Breathing Life into Everyday Objects

Mass-produced household items transform into something almost alive — this astonishing experience is now unfolding in Tokyo. New York-based contemporary artist Tara Donovan, born in Queens, is holding her first solo exhibition in Tokyo at PACE Gallery in Azabudai Hills, running through July 3, 2025.

Donovan is renowned for her large-scale reconstructions of everyday materials, which challenge and stir the viewer’s perception. This exhibition is a culmination of her mature period, showcasing a comprehensive selection of her iconic sculptures and installations from the past 20 years, along with newly created drawing made especially for this occasion.

What defines Donovan’s work is her distinctive choice of materials and the way she transforms them. She collects vast quantities of ordinary items — such as buttons, straws, and, in this exhibition, particularly CD-ROMs — and arranges or stacks them to create entirely new visual experiences.

Her process resonates with post-minimalist traditions and evokes California Light and Space movement. Her pieces change depending on the viewing angle, lighting conditions, and the viewer’s movement — not just to be looked at, but to be lived with. They invite a unique sense of presence.

Featured Work: Strategy IX (2024) — Architecture of Light Composed of CD-ROMs
The standout piece of the exhibition is Strategy IX (2024) (photo just above), a vertical sculpture approximately 2.6 meters tall made from stacked, repurposed CD-ROMs. Rising from a concrete pedestal, the structure reflects light in different ways depending on the time of day and the viewer’s position.

Using CDs — a material now associated with obsolete technology — to create such a mesmerizing artwork reveals why Donovan is often called a “genius.” Her bold yet delicate upcycled works make it clear why she received the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Award in 2008.

The sculpture appears to respond to the viewer’s movement through space, as if it were a breathing architectural organism.

Don’t Miss the New Pin Drawing of 2025
Also not to be missed is Donovan’s new pin drawing created for this show. Her approach remains consistent: “From the accumulation of small elements emerges a grand order or pattern.” These works challenge the limits of perception while also exuding a poetic and meditative quality that defines her artistic voice.

Tara Donovan began her career in the 1990s and has steadily gained acclaim. Her art not only demonstrates mastery in material choice and composition, but also prompts viewers to fundamentally reconsider “how we see the world.”

Exhibition Information
Title: Tara Donovan
Dates: Saturday, May 17 – Thursday, July 3, 2025
Venue: Pace Gallery Tokyo
Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza A, 1F & 2F
5-8-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Closed: Mondays
Admission: Free