A Contemporary Take on Traditional Wagashi
Hven Gallery will host a pop-up exhibition of the contemporary wagashi project Haodori, by Tokyo-based artist Xenia Mylash.
The Haodori project reimagines wagashi, traditional Japanese confectionery, as a medium for contemporary artistic expression. Working with seasonal ingredients and refined techniques, Mylash blends culinary craft and visual art.
The exhibition centers on the theme of “awakening”: a quiet moment that exists between states — whether between sleep and awareness, winter and spring or memory and presence. The works take shape as delicate, abstract forms, and beautiful craftsmanship. The project and exhibition invites viewers to engage with wagashi as visual compositions, but also complete sensory experiences, where flavor and texture becomes part of the artwork as well.
The exhibition will run from April 2 to April 30. An opening reception will open on April 2 (19:00-24:00), introducing this approach through a curated tasting, allowing guests to experience the wagashi works in sequence. The evening will also feature a selection of drinks and a DJ set, extending the exhibition into a social and atmospheric context. Admission to the opening is free, with a first order (¥1500) including a drink and a wagashi by Haodori.
As part of the exhibition program, a special tea ceremony experience will also take place on April 26, further exploring the relationship between ritual, taste, and contemporary expression.
