Thursday night I was out in Shibuya for the opening reception of the new Diesel Concept Store, which opens to the public today (November 20). Like the Diesel Denim Gallery in Aoyama, the store features a gallery space, and the opening show is Simon Henwood and Fannie Schiavoni’s “Black Sun” (until February 23). I rather like the diner-like cafe/bar area, but I have no idea what the regular menu will have to offer.

The party itself was a bit too packed for my taste, although I did get a kick out of seeing Takashi Murakami waiting in line to get in when I was on my way out.

Some great news today: as of an hour ago, the Art Space Tokyo team reached their goal of raising $15,000 to reprint/update the book, as well as produce a free iPad version. Keep supporting the project though, because I know they low-balled the amount (if you don’t reach your goal on Kickstarter you get nothing) and so every bit more will help make sure Craig and Ashley can both devote the amount of time necessary to making this as awesome as it deserves to be.

My friends Craig Mod and Ashley Rawlings produced this terrific book a couple of years ago called Art Space Tokyo, you may have heard of it — I’ve certainly plugged it and recommended it countless times to anyone I talk to when it comes to the art scene in Tokyo. It has unfortunately been out of print for quite a while now, but Craig and Ashley recently got the rights back (as Craig is no longer involved with Chin Music Press), and they’ve launched a Kickstarter project to not only get an updated version of the book back in print, but to also produce a free iPad version. So go, and support what will undoubtedly be an awesome pair of products.

As we’ve seen with many a site and company, 2009 was a very rough year, and our dear Tokyo Art Beat — itself a non-profit — was hit as well. So if you can, PLEASE help TAB keep going by making a donation here. PLEASE!

A new group show at the Nanzuka Underground gallery in Shibuya entitled “Corner” brings together the following four artists: Alexander Gelman, Paul Davis, Toast Girl, and Yuichi Yokoyama.

This exhibition presents the works of artists who continue to produce original works that are not influenced by the fashions and trends in the belief that the age-defining energy of art comes from these artists who stand apart. The title “Corner” suggests that the concept of art itself it about to turn a corner in the face of the extreme market oriented mentality that has seeped through the art world. The 4 artists on view may be outsiders in the current art scene. However art with vested interests is bound to be replaced by something else in the future. These 4 artists may be pointing to the possibility of that future.

“Corner” runs until February 6.

TABlog’s William Andrews posts his art-related year in review 2009 round-up.

Have a look at the beautiful opening sequence for “Pocko/Magma” — it’s for an animated film that accompanies a touring exhibition of customized Russian Matryoshka dolls — featuring the illustrative work of Chisato Shinya (Kinpro). I love the homage to the Dr. No opening at the start. Via Motionographer.

For the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Tezuka Architects created the “Woods of Net,” a permanent pavilion for net artist Toshiko Horiuchi Macadam — ArchDaily posts a few photos of the installation. Via Dezain.net.

Azito is an online gallery that deals with sales of Japanese contemporary art worlwide, including works by the likes of Takashi Homma, Kenji Yanobe, and Keiichi Tanaami.

Pictured above, “New Waves,” a print by Homma.

TokyoMade is hosting another weeklong market event (Vol. 3), again at the Mememachine gallery in Shibuya.

The TokyoMade Market is a nomadic gathering of Japan-based art and design. An extension of the online store, theTokyoMade Market is an opportunity for designers and artists to share their latest work and sale items. A pop-up event that attracts a diverse crowd of art, fashion and design lovers, the TokyoMade Market also gives fans a chance to connect with the creators in an offline setting.

It kicked off yesterday, and runs until December 27 (12:00-18:00 daily).

I announced it a month back, and now the fifth edition of the “Cafe Pause Poster Series” is finally up at the entrance of the cafe. Again, huge thanks to Luis for doing this — it’s a great way to kick off 2010 at Cafe Pause! You can better see the poster here, as well as an explanation of the concept behind it.

Yoshi Shimura (Star Graphics) is a Tokyo native who moved to LA a year ago, and he’s just released the second issue of Megane Zine. As he describes it:

Megane Zine is a regular publication aimed at introducing artwork of young, up-coming Japanese artists to the United States. “Megane” means “Glasses” in Japanese. Megane Zine focuses it lens on the inspired achievements of these fantastic artists.

A Megane Zine tee designed by Ed Templeton will be released through Beams T in January, and a show featuring works from the issue will take place at LA’s HVW8 Art + Design Gallery, starting January 9.

An exhibition of works by Yayoi Kusama is currently on at the Audi Forum Tokyo building in Harajuku, and will run until January 5. Here’s a look at last week’s opening party.

Yuki Nakano has certainly been keeping busy since moving to Australia, and her latest project is a piece entitled “3 – Three French Hens,” part of the “Artist’s Dozen, a contemporary remix of a traditional Christmas carol” installation in Brisbane. It will be on display until December 24.

Update: More photos of Yuki’s installation.

Beautiful new gallery in the city of Kyotanabe (near Kyoto) called Tanada Piece Gallery, featuring a rice field-inspired interior by Japanese architecture studio Geneto.