< Miniature Life ・ Mitate Mind Review > Inside Tatsuya Tanaka’s Witty and Surprising World

In Tatsuya Tanaka’s wonderful imagination, there’s a witty world where enoki mushrooms become chef hats, ramen noodles are slept on, and open heart surgery is performed on the Jack of Spades.

It’s a world I loved visiting. And I just know you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

The exhibits at Mitate Mind in Seoul will make you look twice… and smile.

The world premiere of Miniature Life • Mitate Mind in Seoul is on until June 10th, 2024 at the MPX Gallery in Yeouido. Don’t miss it!

< Miniature Life · Mitate Mind > Quick Guide

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What is Mitate?

Tatsuya Tanaka says, “Mitate means, using one object to depict or impersonate another. Ultimately leading to making the right choice.”

Mitate challenges you to see the world in new ways.

In a more general sense, mitate | 見立 (pronounced me-tah-tay) is a Japanese word that means “to look again,” or a “new point of view.”

It’s the ability to see familiar things in fresh and surprising ways. Mitate adds layers of meaning to commonplace items, and transforms the way we see life, our relationships, and the different meanings we ascribe to them.

Awakening our mitate minds.

Who is Tatsuya Tanaka?

Born in 1981 in Kumamoto, Japan, Tatsuya Tanaka’s nimble and inventive miniatures challenge us to look at everyday objects in new and fresh ways. Our imagination provoked – what was once mundane, becomes remarkable.

An old remote control = a takoyaki stall at Mitate Mind.

In 2011, Tatsuya Tanaka started creating, photographing, and sharing playful miniatures in mitate style. Through his limitless creativity and sense of play, contact lenses become umbrellas, and an iPhone, an airplane.

Shades down for take-off please.

He invites us along by sharing these re-imagined pocket-sized worlds EVERY SINGLE DAY on Miniature Calendar, and on social media, where he’s amassed a huge global following of 3.8-million (and counting) on Instagram alone.

I wasn’t following Tatsuya Tanaka when I went to Mitate Mind, but I am now… and was surprised to find several of my friends already were. No wonder the exhibit was popular from the day it opened.

Of course it’s a bathroom made out of staples.

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Is it Worth Going to Miniature Life · Mitate Mind?

I can’t remember the last time I went to an art exhibit and was completely engaged, on every level. Aside from the incredibly clever miniature landscapes and dioramas, my brain was tickled by the titles of the art pieces themselves.

“Open Heart Surgery” was my favourite work – in large part because of the witty name.

I’m obviously a lover of words (hence this blog), and there were several times, I laughed out loud at the total tongue-in-cheek titles of Tanaka’s individual works. His Mitate Mind seems to stretch not just to sculptures and photos, but also to words.

Appealing to all ages and walks of life, Miniature Life, Mitate Mind is an exhibit you’ll thoroughly enjoy. You won’t regret going.

Mitate Mind is fun for all ages.

Is Mitate Mind in Seoul good for kids?

What kid doesn’t love miniature things? Simply put – this is a fantastic exhibit to attend with littles.

I think my daughter and her friend loved it even more than we did. They spent 2 hours running excitedly from piece to piece, examining the works, without complaining or uttering the words “I’m bored,” once!

Our kids were fully absorbed in all the artworks.

There’s no minimum age requirement to attend Mitate Mind, but you ARE responsible for any damages, so i’d keep a close eye on your kids – particularly if they’re younger.

Exhibit boxes aren’t fixed to the floor, so if they get knocked or pushed, there could definitely be potential damage to the artworks.

We became miniatures too!

What is the Entry Process for Mitate Mind in Seoul?

Granted it was a Saturday afternoon when we went to Mitate Mind, but I was honestly surprised by the insane line-up, and crowds of people outside MPX Gallery. I was definitely not expecting that! Now that I’ve seen the Mitate Mind exhibit myself, I GET IT… but still.

Unless you show up right at opening, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to enter the exhibition venue directly upon arrival.

When we got to MPX Gallery, we were given a queueing number of 289. 289!! and told it could take 3 to 4 hours to gain entry into the Mitate Mind exhibit. Believe it… because I lived it.

This is the second of 2 lines to get an entry number, not a line for the actual exhibit.

Because of its hyper-popularity – the entry process is a little complicated in order to deal with the high numbers of people attending all at once. They understandably limit numbers inside the exhibition space.

It can be a little confusing, if you’re not used to this type of Korean queueing system, so I’ll try to explain step by step.

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How to get to MPX Gallery?

Address: 10, International Finance Street, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (IFC Mall South Atrium, L3) | 서울 영등포구 국제금융로 10 (여의도동, 서울 국제금융 센터)

Mitate Mind in Seoul is being held at MPX Gallery, which is inside IFC Mall in Yeouido. The closest subway station is Yeouido Station on Line 9.

Yeouido is home to one of Seoul’s most popular cherry blossom festivals © twobrownfeet.com

Once you arrive at the station, take exit 3, and make a right turn at the 7-11 convenience store. Walk straight about 400-metres, until you see the IFC Towers on the left hand side. You can’t miss them.

It’s a bit confusing once inside IFC Mall, because the floors feel like they’re numbered upside down. At least they did to me. All you need to know to successfully navigate your way to Mitate Mind at MPX Gallery, is that L3 is the bottom level of the mall, NOT the top.

The entrance to MPX Gallery is at the bottom (L3) of this huge sign. See the line?

More Fun Things to do in Yeouido

Yeouido District is located on the west side of Seoul. This is a little ways out from popular central areas like Myeongdong and Jongno, so it’s great to plan a few other activities to do at the same time.

Fortunately, there are some attractions in Yeouido that are definitely worth checking out!

Make sure to stop into the gift shop and pick up a few souvenirs before leaving.

Eland Han River Cruise | 여의도 이랜드크루즈

Address: 280 Yeouidae-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul | 서울 영등포구 여의동로 280

• A Han River cruise is a must-do in Seoul, and the dock is at Yeouido Hangang Park.
• Choose from afternoon tea cruises to buffet combo cruises to cruises that run during the famous Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain show,
• If you’ve purchased the Discover Seoul Pass, the eLand cruise is one of the included attractions.
• Otherwise, check out all the different eLand Cruise options here.

The eLand Cruise is a must-do in Seoul.

Zoolung Zoolung | 주렁주렁

Address: 4th Floor, Times Square, 15 Youngjung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul | 서울 영등포구 영중로 15 타임스퀘어 4층매표소, 5층입구

• huge indoor animal theme park with more than 50 different species from Africa and the Amazon
• opportunity to interact with and feed different animals
• located inside Times Square Mall, with ample opportunities for shopping, as well as cafes and restaurants on-site
• Pick up discounted tickets here.

There are wonderful views from the top of 63 Square.

63 Square | 63스퀘어: 63 ART and AQUAPLANET 63

Address: 50, 63-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 영등포구 63로 36

• Iconic building in Yeouido, with an art hall, observatory, and aquarium all in one
• See amazing views and admire artworks at 63 Art
• Explore the underwater world and a live mermaid show at Aquaplanet 63
• Grab a combo ticket, or bundle it with other popular attractions, like Lotte World Adventure and Nami Island with a Klook Pass

Live mermaid performances at Aquaplanet 63.

The Hyundai Seoul | 현대백화점 더현대 서울

Address: 108 Yeouidae-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul | 서울 영등포구 여의대로 108

• The Hyundai Seoul’s claim to fame is that it’s the largest shopping mall in the city. It’s truly massive, with enough square footage to cover 13 full football fields!
• There’s more than just shopping here, with nearly 50% of the mall dedicated to recreational areas, including a waterfall and green spaces.
• The Hyundai Seoul is directly connected to IFC Mall through a pedestrian tunnel, so it’s super easy to visit before or after seeing the Mitate Mind exhibit at MPX Gallery.

Good night!

After its world premiere in Seoul, Mitate Mind moves to Tokyo in August. Watch out for it where you live!