As a critic for The Japan Times, a role I?filled for 3 1/2 years, naturally I got a lot of requests for recommendations for art and books. In general, I find these tough to give to people whose tastes I don¡¯t know, because without any input an algorithm¡¯s output is bland and generic. But art is especially hard ¡ª tastes vary so widely and noninsiders aren¡¯t used to articulating what kinds they like, or why.?
A common case is the brother-in-law of someone I haven¡¯t seen for five years is passing through Tokyo with one free afternoon, and they would like to know, What¡¯s the one museum or artwork they have to see while in Japan?
I usually sidestep the question, suggesting ¡°the Nezu Museum for old Asian stuff with a nice garden and pleasant vibe¡± or ¡°Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery depending on what¡¯s showing.¡± When people ask me if teamLab is worth seeing, I say noncommittally, ¡°It¡¯s pretty fun the first time.¡±
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