The ‘Inner Worlds’ film series visits creatives in the places that inspire them

A rare glimpse into the world of one of Japan’s most private figures, the latest installment of ‘Inner Worlds’ introduces Kazunari Shirai. The Japanese businessman is an investor, co-founder of Art Week Tokyo, a publisher, and an avid collector known for his eclectic range of cars, motorcycles – and art, including work by William Kentridge, Shinro Ohtake, and Wolfgang Tillmans. ‘When it comes to the art that best encapsulates me, I’d probably have to say the work of Fontana,’ he says, adding ‘but actually, I think I’m a bit more complex than that.’

Shirai seldom showcases his collections to the public. This episode, however, offers the chance to step into Shirai’s personal and professional realms, exploring his homes, offices, and meticulously curated garage. The spaces in Tokyo and Osaka embody his passion for design, from an extraordinary Jim Lambie room to Atelier No. 7 – designed by architect Seiichi Shirai in 1959. ‘Creating harmony between different types of work in a space feels like an apt analogy for myself,’ he says. Also on view in the film is his impressive array of vehicles, including a 1994 Cagiva C594, sometimes called ‘the world’s most beautiful racing bike’, an Aston Martin DBS Coupé Zagato Centennial, and an Agusta F4 Zagato.

Art Week Tokyo is organized by Japan Contemporary Art Platform in collaboration with Art Basel, with support from Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs. Art Week Tokyo’s infrastructural development initiative, the Art Week Tokyo Mobile Project, is co-organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Art Week Tokyo Mobile Project Organizing Committee.