The exhibition titled “Does the Future Sleep Here?——Revisiting the museum’s response to contemporary art after 65 years” is scheduled to take place at the National Museum of Western Art in Ueno, Tokyo, from March 12 (Tuesday) to May 12 (Sunday).
The National Museum of Western Art, opened in 1959, houses and exhibits Western art pieces ranging from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century. The upcoming exhibition marks the first extensive collaboration with contemporary artists since its establishment. Twenty-one contemporary artists, including Tsuyoshi Ozawa, Doka Odawara, Ryudai Takanono, and Kyo Takemura, both active domestically and internationally, will participate. The exhibition will showcase new works inspired by the museum’s collection and pieces that reexamine the significance of the museum as a space.
2015, video 12min 8sec
Collection: Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan
2023
©︎Kei Takemura
*Different from actual works on display
1916, oil on canvas
National Museum of Western Art
Donated by the bereaved family of Kojiro Matsukata (Former Matsukata Collection)
1999, gelatin silver print
Courtesy of Yumiko Chiba Associates
©︎
1858 oil on canvas
The National Museum of Western Art
The museum, founded on the extensive Matsukata Collection amassed by Kojiro Matsukata, who aimed to expose young Japanese painters to authentic Western art, holds a significant connection. The painter Soitaro Yasui, who collaborated in establishing the museum, expressed the belief that artists themselves benefit the most from the Matsukata Collection’s “benefits.” The upcoming exhibition reexamines the founding principles, focusing on the original intent of contributing to artists’ creative endeavors. As the museum celebrates its 65th year, the exhibition aims to assess how the institution and its collection, established on the basis of contributing to artists’ work, continue to inspire contemporary artists.
Does the Future Sleep Here? ——Revisiting the museum’s response to contemporary art after 65 years
Dates: March 12 (Tuesday) – May 12 (Sunday), 2024
Venue: The National Museum of Western Art (7-7 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Hours: 9:30-17:30 (9:30-20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays) *entry until 30 minutes before closing
Organized by The National Museum of Western Art
Inquiries 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
Participating artists (in alphabetical order)
Yuki Iiyama, Yoichi Umezu, Mai Endo, Tsuyoshi Ozawa, Nodoka Odawara, Natsuko Sakamoto, Hiroshi Sugito, Takahiro Takano, Kyo Takemura, Koki Tanaka, Toeko Tatsuno, Elena Tutatchkova, Rei Naito, Tadayoshi Nakabayashi, Yurie Nagashima, Purple Room (Yoichi Umezu + Hiromi Ando + Hitoko Sotsubashi + Asako Hoshikawa + Saki Wakimoto), Rintaro Fuse, Hisao Matsuura, Miyagiftoshi, Eboshi Yuasa, Kanji Yumi-shi
