The Pulse of Tokyo: Julian Opie’s "Marathon. Women." Ignites GINZA SIX

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

In the high-octane intersection of global luxury and avant-garde culture that is Tokyo’s Ginza district, a new visual rhythm is about to take hold. GINZA SIX, the premier destination for retail and art in the capital, has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with the celebrated British contemporary artist, Julian Opie.

Debuting in September 2025, Opie’s latest masterpiece, Marathon. Women., promises to transform the building’s colossal central atrium into a hypnotic study of human motion, blending the primal history of our species with the sleek, technological future of Japan’s metropolis.

A Monument to Motion

Suspended in midair within the architectural marvel designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, Marathon. Women. is not merely a screen; it is a monolith of digital performance.

The installation utilizes a massive 10-by-8-meter LED screen enclosure that dominates the central void of the complex. Upon this digital canvas, four stories of visitors will witness a ceaseless, mesmerizing parade of figures: seven female runners, rendered in Opie’s signature bold lines and vivid, simple colors.

Modeled on real members of the British Track and Field Team, each digital athlete runs at her own pace, endlessly circling the atrium. The scale of the work is designed to be immersive, visible from multiple angles spanning floors 2 through 5, turning the act of shopping into an encounter with high art.

The Philosophy: Ancient Instincts in a Modern Void

Julian Opie, a Goldsmiths alumnus known for his minimalistic, pictogram-like depictions of the human form, sees this installation as a bridge between our evolutionary past and our urban present.

"Running is one of our most fundamental activities, an instinctive behavior etched onto our makeup by evolutionary forces." — Julian Opie.

Opie posits that long before the concrete jungle of Tokyo existed, our ancestors survived through the relentless pursuit of prey. By stripping these figures down to their essential shapes while keeping them recognizable, Opie taps into a "universal" visual language. The result is a work that feels at home in the bustling, hyper-modern environment of Ginza while connecting deeply with the primal DNA of humanity.

The Viewer as Participant

What makes Marathon. Women. dramatically compelling is its demand for interaction. This is not passive viewing. The installation "essentially demands" that visitors walk around the atrium to experience the shifting perspectives.

As visitors traverse the spiral of GINZA SIX, adding their own movement to that of the digital runners, they cease to be mere spectators. They become part of the kinetic energy of the piece, their own motion shifting their perception of the work in real-time. Opie notes that his goal was to create a work that would "make sense in this bustling space and yet blend in effortlessly".

GINZA SIX: The Cultural Nexus

The choice of venue is no accident. Since opening in 2017, GINZA SIX has established itself as a "cultural nexus" in Tokyo, far surpassing the definition of a traditional department store.

Architectural Prestige: The building blends innovation with history, featuring an exterior inspired by traditional Japanese noren curtains.

A Legacy of Art: The central atrium has previously hosted transformative works by legends such as Yayoi Kusama, Daniel Buren, and teamLab.

Cultural Depth: Beyond the art, the complex houses the KANZE NOH THEATER and a tranquil rooftop garden, offering a sanctuary from the city below.

Opie himself was struck by the gravity of the venue, noting, "I was impressed by the previous works; they all appeared to be very serious projects".

Exhibition Essentials

For art enthusiasts and travelers seeking the pinnacle of Tokyo's cultural offering, this installation is a mandatory destination.

Title: Marathon. Women. 

Artist: Julian Opie 

Venue: GINZA SIX, Central Atrium (Floors 2–5) 

Dates: September 11, 2025 – Autumn 2026 (Planned) 

Presented By: GINZA SIX Retail Management Co., Ltd. in cooperation with MAHO KUBOTA GALLERY 

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