The Professor’s final tenderness for the world: West Kowloon M+ presents the exhibition “Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time,” meeting again in light, shadow, and sound

For many, Ryuichi Sakamoto, known as “Professor,” was more than a musician; he was like a poet who captured the flow of life in musical notes. Although he left us in 2023, his creative spirit has never ceased. This weekend, on February 14, M+ at the West Kowloon Cultural District will open the major exhibition “Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time”. Opening on this day of love, it may be the gentlest love letter Professor left behind for us.

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An immersive experience: The audiovisual impact of async-immersion

The undisputed centerpiece of the exhibition is the large-scale installation “async-immersion” (2023), located in The Studio on M+’s B2 level. Created by Professor and his longtime collaborator, visual-art master Shiro Takatani, it is also one of the site-specific music works he particularly valued during his lifetime.

The work transforms Professor’s deeply personal 2017 album “async” into a three-dimensional experience. An 18 m LED video wall slowly displays images of the piano, books, and instruments in his New York studio. Combined with the sound design throughout the space, the visuals and music overlap asynchronously like tides. Admission is free, so visitors can drop in anytime and take in a stillness that transcends time.

An artistic dialogue spanning 40 years: Nam June Paik and Carsten Nicolai

Beyond the central installation, M+ also makes ingenious use of its different spaces to showcase Professor’s expansive circle of artistic friends:

• Back to 1980s New York (Found Space, B2 level): “All Star Video” (1984), directed by video-art pioneer Nam June Paik, will be screened here. The film captures the creative exchanges between a young Ryuichi Sakamoto and such legendary figures as Laurie Anderson and John Cage in New York – a period when Professor was at his most spirited and full of experimental drive.

• The final movement of life (Grand Stair, G level): At the Grand Stair, visitors will find two new works, “ENDO EXO” and “PHOSPHENES” (2024), by German electronic-music pioneer Carsten Nicolai, also known as Alva Noto. Drawing on music from Professor’s final studio album, “12,” the works explore dreams and reality, life and preservation. They are well suited to quiet reflection from the Grand Stair.

A must-visit for vinyl lovers: Listen with veteran music critics

If you love physical records, don’t miss the vinyl listening sessions at the Moving Image Centre. M+ has invited several prominent local guests, including veteran radio DJ Wong Chi Chung, jazz guitarist Kwan Ka Kit, and sound artist Kate Woon. They will play and share vinyl records by Ryuichi Sakamoto from their personal collections, revisiting Professor’s classic moments through music and stories.

M+ Cinema: Revisit classic scores on the big screen

During the exhibition, M+ Cinema will also present the special screening program “Ryuichi Sakamoto: The Music of Light and Shadow.” Its thoughtfully assembled lineup includes “Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda,” a documentary chronicling Professor’s battle with cancer and creative journey, and “Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus,” directed by his son Neo Sora and documenting his final performance. Also featured are the earlier “Tokyo Melody,” “High Heels,” made in collaboration with Pedro Almodóvar, and the heartwarming animal film “The Adventures of Chatran,” offering a full view of Professor’s musical talent across different styles.

Watching the shifting lines in “async-immersion,” it feels as though Professor never truly left us, only took on another form beside us.

Are you ready to head to M+ for this appointment?

“Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time”

Dates: February 14, 2026 (Saturday) to July 5, 2026 (Sunday)

Venue: M+ Museum, West Kowloon Cultural District

Admission: Free admission to the “async-immersion” exhibition; cinema screenings require separate tickets

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