Art is a reflection of its time, and in Japan, 1989 to 2010 comprised a fascinating period of upheaval, reinvention, and cultural cross-pollination—the Heisei era in its first 20 years. The Cold War ended, the Berlin Wall crumbled, and globalization accelerated. Japan, an island nation long inclined toward isolationism, found itself absorbing all kinds of influences, from Western pop culture to new political ideologies. Featuring works by 50 artists from Japan and abroad, this exhibition explores the era through three themes: the impact of war, shifts in perceptions of gender and identity, and transformations within communities. —Elena Clavarino