The DIC Kawamura Memorial Museum in Sakura, Chiba Prefecture, has announced that its temporary closure will be postponed from late January 2025 to late March 2025.
Established in 1990, the museum is affiliated with DIC Corporation, a company known for its printing inks, along with related enterprises. It focuses on collecting and exhibiting 20th-century art, showcasing a collection of 754 pieces, including Monet’s Water Lilies and Chagall’s Red Sun. The museum is distinguished by its thoughtfully designed spaces, which harmonize architecture, artworks, and a natural environment that reflects seasonal changes.
However, as of June 30, 2024, the museum’s total book value of assets was reported at 11.2 billion yen, raising concerns about capital efficiency. In light of this, a “Value Co-Creation Committee,” composed solely of outside directors, convened to discuss the situation. Following these discussions, a mid-report was released on August 27, indicating a review of management practices, including potential relocation or cessation of operations, and announcing a temporary closure starting in late January 2025.
In response to the announcement, Sakura City Mayor Mitsukazu Nishida issued a statement, and both Chiba Prefecture Governor Toshito Kumagai and entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa, a native of Chiba, expressed their reactions on social media. Additionally, a petition organized by the “Committee for the Continued Existence of the DIC Kawamura Memorial Museum in Sakura City,” supported by Sakura City’s Cultural Promotion Division, collected over 50,000 signatures by September 30, highlighting significant public interest.
Regarding the extended closure, the museum clarified that the decision was made “to encourage more visitors to come before the closure, considering the current visitation situation.” Specific dates for the closure will be announced on the DIC Corporation and museum websites once they are confirmed. Furthermore, after the conclusion of the exhibition Katsuto Nishikawa: Echoes of Silence on January 26, 2025, the museum plans to host a collection exhibition to express gratitude to its visitors.
Additionally, on December 13, during the exhibition, a concert titled “Katsuto Nishikawa: Echoes of Silence” will be held in the exhibition space post-closure. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a piano performance by Fumitake Ezaki in the serene atmosphere of the closed exhibition area.
Katsuhito Nishikawa Serenity in Stillness
Exhibition Period:
September 14, 2024 (Saturday) – January 26, 2025 (Sunday)
Hours:
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Last admission at 4:30 PM)
Closed on:
Mondays (open on holidays), September 17 (Tuesday), September 24 (Tuesday), October 15 (Tuesday), November 5 (Tuesday), December 24 (Tuesday) – January 1 (Wednesday), January 14 (Tuesday)
Organizer:
DIC Corporation
Supported by:
Chiba Prefecture, Chiba Prefectural Board of Education, Sakura City, Sakura City Board of Education
Collection Exhibitions During the Period:
Collection Viewpoint
“Memorial Exhibition for Tadaaki Kuwayama 1932–2023”
“Memorial Exhibition for Frank Stella 1936–2024”
Exhibition Period: July 6, 2024 (Saturday) – January 26, 2025 (Sunday)
Location: Room 201
Concert: “Katsuto Nishikawa: Echoes of Silence” Exhibition
Date and Time: December 13 (Friday) starting at 6:00 PM (scheduled to end at 8:00 PM)
Location: Exhibition Room 203 (Doors open at 5:45 PM)
Admission Fee: 10,000 yen for both members and general public
Includes entrance fee
Sales Start Date: Supporters: October 19 (Saturday) at 10:00 AM
General: October 26 (Saturday) at 10:00 AM