When you scroll through the information feed on your smartphone or computer, it feels as if the world today is awash with tragedy—the collapse of democracy, repeated warfare, climate change and natural disasters around the world, or merciless and indiscriminate killings. Certainly, there are countless serious social problems and, if nothing changes, the day may be near when both human society and the planet are destroyed.
     But let us stop for a moment and take a slightly longer-term view of human progress. If we look back 50 years, 100 years, or 200 years, it is clear that our lives have become better. Now Is Better. The number of people dying from starvation or losing their lives in wars and natural disasters is down and the average life expectancy is definitely up. The number of democratic nations is increasing, and the literacy rate has risen to a point where it is impossible to draw comparisons with the situation 200 years ago.
     The first solo exhibition by Stefan Sagmeister at ginza graphic gallery (ggg) in twenty years, Stefan Sagmeister: Now Is Better, visualizes the changes in the world from a broad perspective by boldly modifying 19th century classical paintings and introducing lenticular effects as design practice. In the past, Sagmeister has occasionally used ironic and shocking visuals to jolt our perceptions, but the artist describes this exhibition as his most life-affirming exhibition so far. By changing the perspective, we are encouraged to take a more positive view of never-ceasing human endeavors.
     At the same time, the exhibition also challenges our unconditional acceptance of the daily deluge of information that pours out of the media, including social media platforms, causing us to alternate between optimism and fear. But this is not just an optimistic exhibition. We hope that it will also provide an opportunity to see, to perceive, and to think about it afresh after returning home.