
Katsumi Nakai, 46-104, 1973 ©StudioGariboldi
KATSUMI NAKAI – FLYING HIGH
Fifteen works from the 1960s and 1970s.
16 October 2025 – 30 January 2026
Talk – November 11, 2025, at 5:00 PM
Katsumi Nakai and Tomonori Toyofuku: A Tribute to Two Japanese Sculptors in Milan
Stefano Turina and Natsuko Toyofuku in conversation with Elisabetta Bucciarelli
Limited seating, reservation required at press@studiogariboldi.com
DIGITAL CATALOGUE OF THE EXHIBITION NOW AVAILABLE.
Info: press@studiogariboldi.com
Tel: +39 02 21711378
🔻KATSUMI NAKAI. FLYING HIGH
from 16 October 2025 to 30 January 2026
***
Kite, 1975–1976, acrylic on shaped wood
The kite hovering above the ceiling of Studio Gariboldi closely resembles the centipede-shaped mukade dako, still flown in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, in southern Japan. The serpentine sequence of vibrating geometric modules recalls the rhythmic repetition of circular forms flanked by slender legs — a work perfectly suited for a museum.
Under the patronage @consolato_giapponese
***
Studio Gariboldi, corso Monforte 23, Milan
🪁 Monday – Friday
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
info: press@studiogariboldi.com
🔹Katsumi Nakai. Flying High
October 16, 2025 – January 30, 2026
In 1964, Katsumi Nakai began his journey into the world. Between New York and Paris, Nakai chose Milan. The streets of Brera and Bar Jamaica became some of his favorite haunts. For years, he worked in his Milan studio, alongside some of the most prominent artists of the period.
Within the exhibition by Katsumi Nakai, there is a selection of archival and previously unseen photographs shows the artist at work in Milan.
✨The exhibition is open Monday to Friday, until January 30, 2026.
From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
***
🔹Katsumi Nakai. Volare Alto
16 ottobre 2025 – 30 gennaio 2026
Nel 1964 Katsumi Nakai inizia il suo viaggio nel mondo. Tra New York e Parigi, Nakai sceglie Milano. Le strade di Brera e il Bar Jamaica erano tra i suoi luoghi elettivi. Lavora per anni nel suo studio a Milano, tra i nostri migliori artisti del periodo.
All’interno della mostra di Katsumi Nakai, una selezioni d’immagini d’epoca e inedite, con l’artista al lavoro a Milano.
✨La mostra è visitabile da lunedì a venerdì, fino al 30 gennaio 2026
dalle ore 11.00 alle ore 13.00, e dalle ore 14.00 alle ore 18.00
KATSUMI NAKAI, 44-148, 1971
🔹44-148 is an “Oggetto che sboccia” an
“Object in Bloom,” a phrase that accompanied the concise numerical titles of Nakai’s works. In Japanese, it was translated as obuje no tsubomi ga hiraku, literally “the bud of the object opens.” This expression of blossoming evolves into mono wa hiraku-
“the object opens”-and finally into the essential gesture hiraku: the act of opening, unfolding, and continuously revealing itself.
An opening that never ends — a dialogue between balance, movement, and light.
🎵#AkiraKosemura is a Japanese composer and pianist known for blending minimalist piano with ambient and electronic sounds. He is now one of Asia’s most streamed classical artists.
KATSUMI NAKAI. FLYING HIGH
16 October 2025 - 30 January 2026
Corso Monforte 23, 20122 Milan
#studiogariboldi #modernart #modernjapaneseart #giovannigariboldi #katsuminakai #artgallery #milan #japan
✨ Studio Gariboldi is pleased to announce the exhibition Volare Alto (Flying High), a solo show dedicated to the Japanese artist Katsumi Nakai.
Fourteen works from the 1960s and 1970s and a magnificent kite.
Katsumi Nakai was born in 1927 in Hirakata, Osaka. After graduating from the Osaka University of Fine Arts, he exhibited in numerous group shows and, in 1956, held his first solo exhibition at the Omote Gallery. In 1958, he co-founded the avant-garde group Tekkeikai. In the spring of 1964, like many Japanese artists of the time, he decided to travel to Europe; his journey led him to Milan, a city that deeply impressed him. Nakai became part of the circle of artists that, in 1967, art critic Guido Ballo would call the “New Milan School.” Among many others, he met Tomonori Toyofuku and Lucio Fontana, who played a crucial role in shaping his artistic vision.
Katsumi Nakai, Volare Alto
📅 October 16, 2025 – January 30, 2026
📍 Corso Monforte 23, 20122 Milan
🕒 Monday–Friday 11am–1pm | 2-6pm
Saturday and Sunday by appointment
✨ Opening solo show: October 16, 6-9 pm
✨ Talk: November 11, 5 pm, with Stefano Turina and Natsuko Toyofuku: Katsumi Nakai and Tomonori Toyofuku
🎵 #SusumuYokota (1960–2015) was a visionary Japanese composer and producer, known for his atmospheric soundscapes.
He released numerous albums under aliases such as Stevia and Ebi, leaving a lasting mark on electronic and ambient music.
Under the patronage of the Consulate General of Japan in Milan.
📧 Info: press@studiogariboldi.com
#KatsumiNakai #Japan #studiogariboldi #contemporaryart #modernart #artgallery
✨ Katsumi Nakai (1927–2013) studied painting at the Institute of Fine Arts in Osaka.
In 1956 he held his first solo exhibition at Gallery Omote, and in 1958 he founded — together with seven other avant-garde artists — the Tekkeikai group.
In the spring of 1964, Nakai decided to travel through Europe and the United States. His journey led him to Milan, a city that deeply moved him and became the final stage of his trip — “following the sun.”
💫 In Milan, Nakai became part of the artistic circle that art critic Guido Ballo would later call the “New Milanese School” (1967). Among them, he met #tomonoritoyofuku and Lucio Fontana, who played a key role in shaping his artistic vision.
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Katsumi Nakai · Flying High
16 October 2025 – 30 January 2026
📍 Corso Monforte 23, Milano
#KatsumiNakai #StudioGariboldi #Milano #JapaneseArt #modernart #consolatogeneralegiapponeseamilano #giovannigariboldi #artgallery
🔹After Aiko Miyawaki’s solo show, Studio Gariboldi is preparing the solo exhibition by Japanese artist Katsumi Nakai.🔹
📚 Continuing our exploration of Japanese artists active in Italy in the 1960s, we bring their creativity and stories to the spotlight.
🇯🇵 For the second time we are proud to announce that our project is under the patronage of the Consulate General of Japan in Milan.
Exhibition details:
“Katsumi Nakai, Volare Alto”
🗓 Opening: Thursday, October 16, 2025
From October 16, 2025 to January 30, 2026
📩 For inquiries: press@studiogariboldi.com
📞 +39 02 21711378


