Renowned Japanese Artist Tatsuo Miyajima Marks U.S. Debut of ‘HOTO’ Art Installation in Las Vegas

Inspired by Buddhist scripture, HOTO merges Miyajima’s philosophical appreciation of life withhigh-tech approach in an 18-foot mirrored pagoda featuring 3,827 vibrantly colored LED displays

Click to Tweet: 18-ft tall w/ 3,827 LEDs, high-tech art installation debuts @CrystalsLV #HOTOVegas https://bit.ly/1Mt2kHr

LAS VEGAS (September 25, 2015)– Tatsuo Miyajima, one of Japan’s most influential artists over the past two decades, debuted his work “HOTO” (2008) in the United States for the first time this week for an indefinite engagement at The Shops at Crystals in Las Vegas. The piece previously has been on display only in Japan and China.

Inspired by Buddhist scripture, HOTO – meaning “treasure pagoda” – refers to a story about a monumental bejeweled tower that emerges from the ground, floats midair and covers half the world, symbolizing the importance of every human life. According to Buddhist teachings, life cannot be described without such an impossible story because life is nothing but a miracle.

It was this scripture and the devastating events of September 11, 2001 that inspired Miyajima to create HOTO, which represents his belief that every life is important as well as his hope for inter-connectedness across the globe creating peace and community.

To share his message, Miyajima – recognized for work that merges a philosophical appreciation of life with the latest technologies – created a remarkable mirrored pagoda measuring 18 feet high and more than six feet around, inlaid with 3,827 vibrantly colored LED numerical displays in varying sizes. The LED displays flash the numbers nine through one in a descending, continuous series and at varying speeds, representing the never-ending cycle of life, the universal language of numbers and how every life moves at its own unique pace.

Focusing on interaction rather than exhibition, the circular tower features angled surfaces that play with the viewer’s reflection, allowing them to visually locate themselves in the art. This is indicative of Miyajima’s work in recent years, by which he summarizes his belief that art is the expression of creativity within each of us. “I’m trying to show that every human being is unique,” Miyajima explained.

Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, said, “Las Vegas visitors are more worldly in their travel habits than ever before and seek provocative, unique experiences. One of the ways we’ve responded to this is by introducing thought-provoking art that stimulates interest and energy. Along with renowned masters from generations past, our vision is to present contemporary and forward-thinking works that fascinate people of all ages, regardless of whether they are art aficionados or casual passersby.”

HOTO is part of MGM Resorts’ larger commitment to exposing Las Vegas’ global audience to Japanese culture. The Company recently presented the Kabuki Spectacle on the Fountains of Bellagio starring renowned Japanese actors Ichikawa Somegoro and Nakamura Yonekichi, an art installation at Bellagio by renowned sculptor Masatoshi Izumi and the first-ever Japanese-inspired display at Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

“The expansion of Japanese art and tradition on the Las Vegas Strip is a focus for MGM Resorts, and we continuously search for new and innovative ways to celebrate it,” Murren added.

The piece integrates three Buddhism-inspired concepts that dominate Miyajima’s life and work: the idea that everything changes, everything is connected, and everything goes on forever:

• Modern Technology – Technology is constantly changing and evolving, and Miyajima’s utilization of the LED panels and electrical circuits embodies this concept.
• Numbers – As a universal language, numbers represent the commonality and connection between all humans. 
• Programming – The piece is programmed to shift through numbers nine through one, skipping zero and instead going dark and starting over at nine to represent that life goes on forever even after death. In Miyajima’s world, life, death and digits are one and the cycle is never-ending. 

Miyajima’s installation is the newest addition to MGM Resorts International’s Fine Art Collection and joins a significant display of commissioned and acquired fine art at The Shops at Crystals and within the connected ARIA Resort & Casino, including James Turrell’s “Shards of Color” (2014); Henry Moore’s “Reclining Connected Forms” (1969-1974); Masatoshi Izumi’s “CACTUS Life – living with Earth” (2007-2008); Maya Lin’s “Silver River” (2009); Jenny Holzer’s “VEGAS” (2009); Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s “Typewriter Eraser, Scale X” (1998-1999); Nancy Rubins’ “Big Edge” (2009); and Frank Stella’s “Damascus Gate Variation I” (1969), among many others.   

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HOTO DetailsHOTO, 2008Mixed Media3,827 LEDs (6 colors, various sizes), electric wire, stainless steel, iron frame216 1/8” H x 81 13/16” W

About Tatsuo MiyajimaTatsuo Miyajima was born in 1957 in Tokyo, Japan and continues to live and work there. In addition to participating in numerous international biennales, including the Venice Biennale (1988, 1999), Miyajima has presented numerous solo exhibitions around the world. His works are placed in the permanent collections of Museum of Modern Art, New York; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, California; Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Illinois; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas; Denver Art Museum, Colorado, among others.

About MGM Resorts InternationalMGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company is in the process of developing MGM National Harbor in Maryland and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts.  The Company also owns 51 percent of MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA Resort & Casino. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at mgmresorts.com.

Media ContactsNatalie Mounier / Kate StowellKirvin Doak Communicationsnmounier@kirvindoak.com / kstowell@kirvindoak.com(702) 737-3100

 Stacy HamiltonMGM Resorts Internationalshamilton@mgmresorts.com(702) 692-6720