In Tokyo, Prada Presents “Satellites” With Nicolas Winding Refn & Hideo Kojima
On the fifth floor of Prada Aoyama Tokyo — a six-story, standalone building of glimmering green glass designed by Herzog & de Meuron — “Satellites” blurs the line between creativity and communication. Featuring Danish movie director Nicolas Winding Refn and Japanese game creator Hideo Kojima, the eye-popping multimedia exhibition weaves a rich audiovisual tapestry, layering recordings, objects, and interactive displays. With technology as a venue, art becomes language.
BOTTOM: Prada Aoyama – Satellites. Hideo Kojima. Behind-the-scenes recording for “Satellites” conversation by Nicolas Winding Refn with Hideo Kojima. Prada Aoyama, Tokyo / 18.4 – 25.8.2025.
Stepping inside, you’ll find an eclectic mix of everyday objects strewn about: a couch, bed, telephone, and lamp. Together, these items establish a sense of familiarity. Meanwhile, six deconstructed televisions take centre stage: with exposed panels, the televisions flaunt circuit boards and wires like brushstrokes on a canvas. Images of Kojima and Refn appear on screen as the two artists engage in conversation, musing — in Japanese and English, respectively — over ideas of collaboration, creativity, amity, and afterlife.
Prada Aoyama – Satellites
Prada Aoyama – Satellites. “Satellites” by Nicolas Winding Refn with Hideo Kojima. Prada Aoyama Tokyo / 18.4 – 25.8.2025. Courtesy of NWR.
Prada Aoyama – Satellites
Prada Aoyama – Satellites. “Satellites” by Nicolas Winding Refn with Hideo Kojima. Prada Aoyama Tokyo / 18.4 – 25.8.2025. Courtesy of NWR.
Prada Aoyama – Satellites
Prada Aoyama – Satellites. “Satellites” by Nicolas Winding Refn with Hideo Kojima. Prada Aoyama Tokyo / 18.4 – 25.8.2025. Courtesy of NWR.
Prada Aoyama – Satellites
Prada Aoyama – Satellites. Nicolas Winding Refn and Hideo Kojima. Photo: Yuji Watanabe. “Satellites” by Nicolas Winding Refn with Hideo Kojima. Prada Aoyama Tokyo / 18.4 – 25.8.2025.
Just beyond the first area, a small dressing room houses a nostalgic cassette player, surrounded by stacks of tapes. Cinematic soundtracks and soundbites fill the silence, interspersed with translated fragments of Kojima and Refn’s conversation.
Connection is the common thread. Technology acts like a conduit, translating culture and creativity across language barriers. That’s a fitting theme for both Kojima and Refn. As Prada explains, the Danish cinematographer explores the interplay between fiction and reality, combining surreal visuals with visceral storytelling. Kojima, meanwhile, connects people and territories through game design.
TOP RIGHT: Prada Aoyama – Satellites. Nicolas Winding Refn. Photo by Yuji Watanabe. “Satellites” by Nicolas Winding Refn with Hideo Kojima Prada Aoyama, Tokyo / 18.4 – 25.8.2025.
BOTTOM LEFT: Prada Aoyama – Satellites. Hideo Kojima. Photo by Yuji Watanabe. “Satellites” by Nicolas Winding Refn with Hideo Kojima Prada Aoyama, Tokyo / 18.4 – 25.8.2025.
In spite of its high-tech exterior, the exhibition encourages person-to-person connection. Each element encourages visitors to interact. Combining film and video game design, “Satellites” takes a nuanced approach to experiential tech. With its careful balance of analogue and digital, the installation suggests something new.
“Satellites” is on view in Tokyo from April 18 to August 25.
