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In the Depths of Osaka’s Namba Station, Works From the Art Institute of Chicago Await

Inspired by the sister cities' numerous connections, a permanent gallery of 60 ceramic-tile reproductions of Impressionist masterpieces from the museum's collection has been delighting art lovers since 1994.

If you are standing inside the Art Institute of Chicago, a trip to the Impressionist galleries usually involves climbing the grand staircase and navigating the quiet, sunlit rooms of the upper floors. A completely different route is available to anyone willing to push a Ferris Bueller-style day off just a bit further. Take the Blue Line to O’Hare, hop a flight to Tokyo, board the Shinkansen bullet train to Osaka and head down into Namba Station, where you will find yourself standing in what feels like the Osaka subway wing of the Art Institute of Chicago.

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Located in the subterranean Namba Walk transit hub, a sprawling underground network not unlike Chicago’s own Pedway, the space operates as a permanent cultural bridge between two sister cities. Founded in 1994, the gallery features 60 ceramic-tile reproductions of Impressionist masterpieces pulled directly from the Art Institute’s collection. You wouldn’t guess their age looking at the walls today. Many of the tiles are as bold and vibrant as the original works. The Japanese firm Otsuka Ohmi Ceramics collaborated closely to recreate these pieces, utilizing a specialized high-heat firing process to produce an essentially indestructible art exhibit built for the daily rush of commuters. The sheer volume of the installation is remarkable. Spread out over a mile, the works are split between 5 initial pieces at the News Park and 55 further west at the Art Park. Finding them all requires the kind of deliberate afternoon effort you would dedicate to a rainy day at a traditional museum.........

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