The MCA Is Opening a Tatsuo Miyajima-Inspired Japanese Cherry Blossom Bar

If you were already excited about the Tatsuo Miyajima exhibition opening at the MCA later this month, prepare to psyche up even harder — because now edamame and alcohol are involved. To celebrate the Japanese artist's first solo Australian exhibition, a Cherry Blossom Bar will be popping up on site from Friday, October 28 until March next year.

Similar to the pop-up gin bar the MCA put together for last year's Grayson Perry exhibition, the Cherry Blossom Bar will be inspired by Miyajima's work, serving up a menu of izakaya-style share plates under a canopy of cherry blossoms and lanterns — think edamame, gyoza and chargrilled yakitori skewers. Drinks are being mixed by mixologist Jared Thibault (who you'll usually find at QT Sydney) and the selection will consists of Japanese classics, including whisky, sake and themed cocktails.

The pop-up bar pays tribute to the Japanese artist, who's known for his immersive and dramatic tech-inspired pieces. His installations largely feature LED lights and counters that countdown from one to nine. However, they never reach zero as Miyajima believes zero is a meaningless, Western concept. As he told Frieze back in 1992, there is no physical zero.

It's heavy stuff and you'll no doubt appreciate a stiff sake while staring at the water afterwards.

The Cherry Blossom Bar will open on Friday, October 28 and run until Sunday, March 5 at the MCA, 140 George Street, The Rocks. It will be open Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm and Saturdays and Sundays from noon. For more info, visit mca.com.au.

Image: Stuart Garske.