Category: Report

Ueno Royal Museum

 

Numerous art works using waste materials born from the slums of Ghana, Agbogblothy.
The world’s attention is now focused on the activities of Shingo Nagasaka, an artist aiming for sustainable capitalism.
Nagasaka’s first solo exhibition at a museum is currently being held at the Ueno Royal Museum.

Game consoles, computer keyboards… Covered on the canvas are electronic devices and their parts that we are all too familiar with.
Shingo Nagasaka is an artist who creates original works with broken electronic devices discarded by developed countries.
In addition to his work, the philosophy symbolized by the word “sustainable capitalism” and the method of investing profits in slums have attracted attention from all over the world. Still A Black Star was also produced.

“Shingo Nagasaka Exhibition Still A “BLACK” STAR Supported by Nanboya” is his first solo exhibition at an art museum. About 200 works are exhibited.

The truth of the world that I met in the slums of Ghana

“We in developed countries can’t be the only ones to be happy.”

Mr. Nagasaka appealed to the assembled press with a sincere look. He then speaks forcefully about his vision of raising 10 billion yen to build a recycling plant in the slums of Ghana.

In June 2017, Mr. Nagasaka, who was a street painter, visited Ghana’s slum area Agbogbloshie, which is called the “ graveyard of the world’s electronic equipment ”. There, he was shocked to meet young people who live on a meager 500 yen a day by burning electronic devices discarded by developed countries.

Since then, Mr. Nagasaka has continued to use the power of art to convey the reality that “our rich lives are made possible by the sacrifices of the people of this slum.”

If the world is not beautiful, we cannot live a beautiful life either.

As can be seen in the monstrous form of “Law of Conservation of Mass,” in which the smoke of cinders, a young man, and a cow are integrated, Mr. Nagasaka severely criticized the consumer society that ignored the local natural environment. there is
However, at the same time, to borrow Mr. Nagasaka’s words, we are born “capitalist draggers,” and we cannot immediately realize a social form that completely ignores capitalism.

Therefore, he proposes “sustainable capitalism ,” a form in which the three wheels of “culture,” “economy,” and “social contribution” rotate continuously.
For example, the more Ghanaian works he owns, the less garbage there will be, the more it will contribute to the economy, and the more cultural it will become. And at the same time, the message of this problem spreads all over the world. It is an attempt to create a sustainable virtuous circle while making good use of the form of capitalism.

One of his sustainable capitalism activities is his first NFT * project “MAGO Mint”.

In the first project, “Waste St. in NYC,” he created a unique collection of 300 limited photographic works, using home appliances that are thrown away on the streets of New York every day as canvases. did.
Things that will disappear in a few days will continue to live as digital archives with the artist’s energy. It can be said that this is an attempt unique to NFT.

The daily trading volume of this “Waste St. in NYC” has reached a scale second only to Mr. Takashi Murakami’s, and the sales are said to be invested in the establishment of a recycling factory in the slums.

The form of love shown in the theory of relativity

There are about 200 works on display at this exhibition, but one of the works that left a personal impression on me was Theory of Relativity, which was displayed at the end of the exhibition.
This diagrammatically expresses the ideal society and the way love should be based on the advanced/backward axis and the rich-poor axis.
“If you put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, it feels like an hour. If you sit with a pretty girl for an hour, it feels like a minute.”
A work inspired by the famous theory of relativity.

In other words, when there is love, the sense of time disappears. Conversely, when we talk about “advanced countries” and “underdeveloped countries,” there is no love there.
What is shown in the center of the canvas is exactly the state where time has disappeared. Eternal peace and full of love.
In order to achieve this, we need the participation of the viewers. A coin slot is provided on the side of the canvas, and the inserted coin reaches the “underdeveloped country” along the pipe.
It can be said that this is a work that embodies Mr. Nagasaka’s method of sustainable capitalism.

 

In addition, at the venue, there was an animated video of “Millie-chan” inspired by Anpanman, an art work made of dumped waste from the Seto Inland Sea that was visited for olive cultivation, and a work drawn before the corona disaster. Despite this, various works such as “Let’s Go Diversity”, a future forecast that seems to imply the “new normal” due to the spread of infectious diseases after 2020, are exhibited.

Building factories in slums, and world peace.
Shingo Nagasaka’s attempt to change the world through art continues at this very moment.
Why don’t you visit the venue and participate in the “MAGO Project” yourself?

 

* NFT – “Non-Fungible Token” = Non-fungible token. Non-fungibility means irreplaceable. Tokens are crypto assets that use blockchain technology. Art, music, and other works circulating on the Internet, which until now were easy to copy due to the abuse of copyrights, can now be marked with a unique data identification signature, making the ownership clear. system.

*The content of this article is as of the preview (September 9, 2022). Please check the exhibition website for details, as it may differ from the latest information.

Overview of the event

exhibition period	September 10th (Sat) – November 6th (Sun)
venue	Ueno Royal Museum
Opening hours	10:00-17:00 *Last entry is 30 minutes before closing *There are no closed days during the exhibition period
viewing fee	General 1,400 yen, high school/university/vocational school students 1,000 yen, middle/elementary school students 600 yen *Admission is free for preschoolers. *Children under elementary school age must be accompanied by a guardian. *If you enter with a student ticket, please show your student ID. (Excluding elementary school students) *Persons with a disability certificate (Physical Disability Certificate, Rehabilitation Certificate, Mental Disability Certificate, Ai no Techo, Atomic Bomb Survivor Health Techo) can enter the museum free of charge for themselves and up to one accompanying person. . Please speak to the venue entrance staff when you visit.
organizer	Fuji Television Network, The Ueno Royal Museum
Contact information	050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial 9:00-20:00 all day)
Exhibition HP	https://www.mago-exhibit.jp

 

Article provided by: kokosil Ueno

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The University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts

Tokyo University of the Arts (former Tokyo Fine Arts School) plays an important role as an art education and research institution.
A special exhibition that combines the collection of the Imperial Household Agency's Sannomaru Shozokan with the collection of gems
“Unraveling Japanese Art: The Imperial Household, the Treasure Box of Beauty” has begun.

From August 6th (Sat) to September 25th (Sun), 2022, the special exhibition “Unraveling Japanese Art: The Imperial Family, the Treasure Box of Beauty” is being held at the University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts.

The Tokyo University of the Arts, where this exhibition will be held, is the place where Okakura Tenshin first systematically lectured on Japanese art history in 1890 at its predecessor, the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, and is an important art education and research institution in Japan. has played a role.

In this exhibition, 82 works will be exhibited, including masterpieces and excellent works related to the imperial family, which are stored in the Sannomaru Shozokan, Imperial Household Agency, and those in the collection of Tokyo University of the Arts. Japanese art from the Nara period to the Showa period is introduced in an easy-to-understand manner by motifs and themes such as calligraphy, waka poems, people and stories, flowers and birds, animals, and landscapes.

*The content of the article is as of August 5, 2022. Please check the exhibition website for the latest information.

An overview of masterpieces from each era! A true textbook to experience

Tenshin Okakura, who contributed to the founding of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, established the history of Japanese art as a foundation for creating future art, and developed it as an academic discipline. It can be said that the achievement is very large.
However, although it is not limited to Japan, when appreciating art, it is not uncommon for people to avoid it because it is difficult to know the author, historical background, technical terms and concepts.

What is shown in the special exhibition “Unraveling Japanese Art: The Imperial Family, the Treasure Box of Beauty” is to untangle the rigid image of “Japanese art” as much as possible, and to touch and become familiar with individual works. National treasures that everyone knows are lined up at the venue, and conversations such as "I saw it in a textbook!"

At the venue, works are exhibited according to themes such as "The beauty of Japan that begins with letters," "Collaboration between people and stories," "Exciting creatures," and "Feeling heartened by landscapes." Ingenuity has been devised so that you can enjoy it.

The exhibition begins with Chapter 1, "Beauty of Japan Beginning with Letters," which introduces how kana characters created by Japanese sensibilities are linked to art. In the second chapter, "Collaboration of People and Stories," you can see the process in which the various written stories are linked to the scenery of the four seasons and the state of people, and sublimated into beauty.

Here, precious picture scrolls such as " Kasuga Gongen Genki Eki-e" and " Mongol Invasion Ekotoba" , which were designated as National Treasures for the first time in the Sannomaru Shozokan collection last year, are on display. Furthermore, works such as The Tale of Genji Folding Screen , which is said to have been made by Eitoku Kano, tell us that literature from the Heian period was long loved by Japanese people after that.

In Chapter 3, "Wakuwaku Ikimono," which focuses on the diverse gazes and expressions of Japanese people toward living things, there are a lot of noteworthy exhibits.
Hoichi Sakai’s “12 Months of Flowers and Birds”, which will be exhibited at once in all 12 paintings, Ito Jakuchu’s National Treasure “Animals and Plants” (Exhibition 1), and Tani Buncho’s “Tiger” (Exhibition 1). All of them are lined up with works that should be called the treasures of Japanese art.

The most notable is the National Treasure "Karajishi-zu Folding Screen" , which was drawn by Eitoku Kano on the right screen (Momoyama period, 16th century) and by Tsunenobu Kano on the left screen (Edo period, 17th century). I would like you to see the powerful lion on the right screen, which is considered to be Eitoku Kano's masterpiece, at the venue.

In Chapter 4, "Focus on the Landscape", works with nature and landscape motifs will be exhibited, starting with the traditional natural theme of "Hamamatsu-zu" and landscape paintings from the early days of Western painting. You can trace how the essence of ancient Japanese landscape expression has been passed down to modern painting while changing its form.

Yoshimatsu Gosoda's "Niagara Landscape" is a painting from the Meiji period depicting the magnificent Niagara Falls. By contrasting the sightseeing boat in the foreground with the waterfall, the grand scale is communicated to the viewer.

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Many masterpieces have been handed down to future generations through the efforts of the Imperial Household Agency and the Tokyo Fine Arts School.
"That work" that everyone knows will have a fresh impression if you actually see it.

By all means, I would like you to visit the venue to see the real thing.

*All works that do not indicate where they are owned are in the collection of the Sannomaru Shozokan, Imperial Household Agency.

Overview of the event

exhibition period	August 6 (Sat) – September 25 (Sun), 2022 *During the exhibition period, there will be changes in the exhibition and rewinding of the works. First half exhibition: ① August 6th (Sat) – August 28th (Sun) / ② August 6th (Sat) – September 4th (Sun) Late exhibition: ① August 30 (Tue) – September 25 (Sun) / ② September 6 (Tue) – September 25 (Sun)
venue	Exhibition Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4, Main Building, The University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts
Opening hours	10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Last entry 30 minutes before closing) * Open until 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in September
closing day	Mondays (but open on September 19th)
viewing fee	General 2,000 yen, high school/college student 1,200 yen * Free for junior high school students and younger, and those with a disability certificate and one assistant. *This exhibition does not require advance reservations, but there is a possibility that admission restrictions, etc. will be implemented depending on the future situation.
organizer	Tokyo University of the Arts, Imperial Household Agency, Yomiuri Shimbun
Contact information	050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
Exhibition HP	https://tsumugu.yomiuri.co.jp/tamatebako2022/

Article provided by: kokosil Ueno

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Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

This exhibition was planned for 2020, the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, but was forced to be postponed due to the spread of the new coronavirus.
The “Boston Museum of Fine Arts Exhibition: Art x Power” opened on July 23rd.

 

From Saturday, July 23, 2022 to Sunday, October 2, 2022, the “Boston Museum of Fine Arts Exhibition Art x Power” is being held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.
Egypt, Europe, India, Japan… The warp thread running through the approximately 60 artworks collected from various regions in this exhibition is “authority” and “power”.

Many people today have an image that art is “anti-authority” and “anti-authority”. But historically, the two are closely related.
Powerful people in all ages and countries have used the power of art to maintain their power, decorate their courts, and demonstrate their legitimacy.
As a result, the excellent works of art created by the top painters and craftsmen of the times by those in power continue to fascinate us even today.

Focusing on the relationship between “art and power,” this exhibition presents carefully selected works from the encyclopedic collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Focus on the social role that works of art have played since ancient times.

A majestic collection of beauty loved by those in power

Throughout history, works of art have played a variety of roles, not just for viewing.
For example, the portrait of Princess Mary painted by Van Dyck is splendid, expressing the texture of the fabric of the dress, the elegance of the hand, and the sparkle of the innocent eyes. Or there was an important “role” to advance.

Natsuko Ohashi, curator in charge

“An exhibition that highlights the power of the powerful in each era through art and follows how each work has been used to demonstrate that power. I want you

and the significance of holding this exhibition.

This exhibition consists of five chapters. Each chapter focuses on the relationship between power and art from various angles, but it is also interesting to pay attention to the differences depending on the era and regional characteristics.

For example , in the Portrait of Napoleon I in Coronation Dress , displayed at the entrance of the exhibition hall, Napoleon is depicted in a simple and dignified manner with a gold laurel wreath and an eagle-tipped scepter. ing.

However, in the Heiji Monogatari Emaki Sanjoden Night Raid Scroll , the existence of the emperor is hidden behind the bamboo blinds, and is not shown overtly in accordance with the tradition of Japanese art. Just as regalia such as Kusanagi no Tsurugi and Yata no Kagami are never seen by the public, “authority” is a hidden existence in Japan.

Since ancient times, it has been supernatural and religious concepts such as ‘God’ and ‘Heaven’ that give ‘approval’ to authority and power. A chapter titled “Sacred Worlds” presents religious artworks produced by those in power who have become “God’s Agents.”

In addition to statues of the Madonna and Child and Tathagata statues, many statues of monks, saints, and earthly figures with strong ties to the spiritual world were created, and El Greco’s “St. Dominic Praying” is one of them. A very private moment of devotion by St. Dominic, who founded the Order of the Preachers, known as the Dominican Order, is depicted in powerful strokes.

The palace is one of the direct and symbolic representations of authority and power. It can be said that many of the works of art displayed in this exhibition are deeply connected to the formal ceremonies and social customs of these palaces and courts.
In particular, costumes and accessories are decisive in conveying the power and status of the individual who wears them.

“Marjorie Meriweather Post Brooch” was purchased by Marjorie Meriweather Post from Manhattan’s Marcus Company when she had an audience with King George V and Queen Mary of England. Adorned with platinum and diamonds, the 60-carat emerald set in the center sparkles.
Although this brooch was never used for the audience, it is said that it continued to be treasured as a treasure in Post’s jewelry collection.

A national treasure in Japan? ! Famous Treasures Returned Home

The Boston Museum of Fine Arts in the United States is called the “Eastern Art Hall of Fame” and has collected more than 100,000 works of Japanese art for over 100 years, beginning with Ernest Fenollosa and Tenshin Okakura. Among the vast collection, Kibi Daijin iri Tang Emaki , which stands out, is a valuable work that is said to be a national treasure in Japan, along with the previously introduced Heiji Monogatari Emaki Sanjoden Night Attack Scroll .
The two major picture scrolls are exhibited together, giving off a presence that can be called the highlight of this exhibition.

“Kibi Daijin Nyuu Emaki” is a story about Kibi Makibi, who has crossed the sea as an envoy to Tang Dynasty, and solves many difficult problems with the help of Nakamaro Abe, who has turned into a demon. Due to its large size, the room is displayed in a U-shape. It has been protected and handed down from generation to generation by temples and shrines and powerful families, but due to social changes from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji period, it was leaked to the market. For a long time there was no buyer, but eventually it was purchased by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in 1932.

This work has become a “phantom national treasure”. It would be interesting to think about the strange fate that this emakimono followed when viewing it.

The final piece of this exhibition is Peacock, which depicts a charming peacock on the left and right sides.
The painter Sessai Masuyama, whose name was Masataka, was a feudal lord who ruled the Ise-Nagashima domain (present-day Nagashima-cho, Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture) in the mid-Edo period. He protected many painters and intellectuals, and even produced many paintings and calligraphy himself.
“Peacock”, which was restored for this exhibition and returned home for the first time, is a theme Sessai worked on many times, and boasts a high quality that can be said to be a representative work.

Balance and gradient woven by power and art in different places and different times.
Those in power have used the power of art to showcase themselves and lend mythic legitimacy to the stories they depend on. However, what is shown in this exhibition is not just the appearance of art that is subordinate to authority.

Art hides within it a “power” that surpasses the “power” of the world, and moves not only people’s hearts, but sometimes even the world. When I look at the many treasures that have been collected, such a thought sprouts in my heart.

After being postponed for a while, the long-awaited opening of this exhibition is finally here. We hope that you will be able to see it directly at the venue.

Outline of “Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Art x Power”

exhibition period	Saturday, July 23, 2022 to Sunday, October 2, 2022
venue	Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Opening hours	9:30-17:30 *until 20:00 on Fridays (Last entry 30 minutes before closing)
closing day	Monday, September 20 (Tuesday) *Open on August 22 (Mon), August 29 (Mon), September 12 (Mon), September 19 (Mon/holiday), and September 26 (Mon)
viewing fee	General 2,000 yen College student 1,300 yen Over 65 years old 1,400 yen *In order to avoid congestion in the exhibition room, this exhibition requires a reservation system for a specified date and time. → Exhibition website
organizer	Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Nippon Television Network, BS Nippon Television, Yomiuri Shimbun
Contact information	050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
Exhibition official website	https://www.ntv.co.jp/boston2022/

*The content of the article is as of the interview date (2022/7/22). Please check the official website for the latest information.

 

Article provided by: kokosil Ueno

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Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

A special exhibition "Finn Juhl and the Danish Chair" will be held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, introducing the history and transition of Danish furniture design, focusing on the works of Finn Juhl, a Danish designer known as a "furniture sculptor." It started on July 23, 2022.

Since I participated in the press preview held earlier, I will report the state of the venue.

An exhibition focusing on "chairs" that support everyday life

In Denmark, a Scandinavian country known as a design powerhouse, the value of hygge, which means "comfortable and enjoyable time", has taken root in lifestyles, and simple comfort has been pursued in furniture design. rice field.

In particular, from the 1940s to the 1960s, Denmark entered a golden age when many outstanding pieces of furniture appeared in history. Finn Juhl (1912-1989) is one of the representative designers of this golden age.

The furniture he creates not only fits comfortably on the body, but also stands out for its modern design featuring graceful curves and the beauty of its details, like a work of art. increase.

The exhibition "Finn Juhl and Danish Chairs" traces the history and transition of furniture design centered on Danish chairs with a wide variety of examples, while approaching the charm of Finn Juhl's design.

At the end of the exhibition, there is also a special corner where you can actually experience Danish designed chairs.

Many of the exhibits are from the world-famous "Oda Collection" owned by Higashikawa-cho, Hokkaido. Kenji Oda (Professor Emeritus, Tokai University), one of the academic collaborators of this exhibition and a chair researcher, has collected furniture and daily necessities from the 20th century as research materials for many years. Is this the first opportunity for you?

Chapter 1 “The Danish Chair ─ Background of its design”

This exhibition consists of three chapters, from Chapter 1 to Chapter 3.

Chapter 1, "The Danish Chair," begins with an introduction to the 1930 Stockholm Exposition, which gave young Danish architects and designers a chance to come into contact with the modernist movement, which advocated rationalism and functionalism that swept Europe. increase.

He led the Danish modernism movement, which sought to open up design to the general public while inheriting traditional furniture-making techniques. Koa Klint (1888-1954) is known as the father of modern Danish furniture design .

Founding of the Furniture Department of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts , where he served as the first professor and is said to have had the greatest impact on the development of Danish furniture design.

The existence of the furniture craftsmen's association that efficiently trained furniture craftsmen and frequently held exhibitions to appeal the high level of technology.

Along with various materials such as photographs, posters, publications, and videos, we carefully look back on the background of the creation of Danish masterpiece furniture that is loved all over the world.

In addition to Kohr Clint, Ole Wanscher, who became the second professor of the furniture department at the Royal Academy of Arts , Børge Mogensen , who designed functional furniture without superfluous decorations for the general public, and his deep knowledge of wood. You can see a wide variety of chairs by famous designers such as Hans J. Wegner, who created masterpiece furniture one after another with his knowledge and outstanding craftsmanship.

Chairs consist of a simple basic structure consisting of a seat, back, and legs, but some of them include Helge Vestgaard Jensen's "Racquet Chair," which uses strings stretched over a tennis racket, and Werner's ice cream cone-shaped chair.・There is a wide variety of slightly eccentric designs, such as Pantone's "Cone Chair" and Grete Jalk's "Plywood Chair" that looks like it is made of origami.

However, even if it is eccentric, it does not have a gorgeous impression, and it has a calm atmosphere common to Danish design.

In the same chapter, you will find an amazing variety of thoughts and ideas during the golden age of Danish furniture design.

Chapter 2 "The World of Finn Juhl"

Many of the furniture designers of the time were students of Koor Klint or from furniture workshops.

On the other hand, Finn Juhl entered the Royal Academy of Arts in 1930 to study architecture on the recommendation of his father, even though he aspired to be an art historian. He studied furniture design on his own while working in building and interior design at an architectural firm.

Chapter 2, "The World of Finn Juhl," begins with early architectural drawings by Finn Juhl, an architect, interior designer, and furniture designer.

In the latter half of the 1930s, he collaborated with the excellent cabinetmaker Niels Votter to explore unique forms.

The design of his own house (Finn Juhl House), which was built in 1942 in northern Copenhagen and became his life's workplace.

Since 1950, Finn Juhl's wide-ranging work has been recognized internationally, from the interior design of the United Nations Headquarters in New York to the design of the offices of Swedish Scandinavian Airlines and passenger aircraft cabins. Introducing the whole picture.

Described as "sculpture-like", Finn Juhl's work is heavily influenced by the forms and underlying aesthetics of abstract sculpture by sculptor Hans (Jean) Arp.

The sculptural approach is particularly prominent in his early works, and the smooth curves of the arms that follow the elbows and the slender, sharp legs are abstract, like sculptures of the human body by Arp. Makes me think of my body.

As Finn Juhl said, "A chair is not just a daily item, but a form and a space in itself." It is a great attraction that it creates harmony in the space while closely resonating with daily necessities.

The exhibition related to the Finn Juhl House clearly shows its charm. As a place where you can embody your own ideas without anyone interfering, it is a discerning mansion that not only designed the building but also the furniture and daily necessities.

Artworks such as paintings by Wilhelm Lunström are also beautifully arranged, and from the video material that introduces the space of the mansion in harmony with the lush forest scenery, you can feel a part of Finn Juhl's design aesthetic.

Chapter 3 "Experiencing Danish Design"

Finn Juhl believed that a chair is nothing more than an object if no one sits on it.

As a corner unique to this exhibition featuring such Finn Juhl, Chapter 3, "Experience Danish Design," presents the original role of a chair as an everyday tool and designed with the user's lifestyle in mind. I'm back to You can actually sit in over 30 Danish chairs!

Not only Finn Juhl, but also chairs by designers who supported the golden age of Danish furniture design that we saw in Chapter 1. There are solid leather chairs like the president's seat, and folding stools that are perfect for outdoor production.

You can directly touch the chair to check how comfortable it is to sit on and how it feels to the touch, and observe the appearance of the person sitting on it. How did the designers deal with the issues surrounding chairs and how did they solve them? You can enjoy rich ideas with your body.

The chairs and lighting fixtures introduced here are all still being produced by Danish manufacturers.

Denmark is known as "the happiest country in the world".
In a world where values and lifestyles are constantly changing, the fact that Danish design, with its simple design, functionality, and universal friendliness that blends in with any space, has taken root all over the world is something that I am very proud of. It may be a hint for us to live comfortably.

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Until October 9, 2022, the exhibition “Finn Juhl and the Danish Chair” will shed light on familiar furniture such as chairs that support every day.

By the way, regarding the holding of this exhibition, due to the renovation of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in 2012, Finn Juhl and other Danish chairs and tables have been set up in the "Sato Keitaro Memorial Art Lounge" on the first floor of the central building, and a rest area has been set up. It is said that it was triggered by the new establishment.

It seems that it was installed to create a comfortable space where visitors can spend a relaxing time, and not only the high affinity between the architecture of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and Scandinavian furniture, but also the power of the furniture to completely change the impression of the space. was also surprised.

If you visit this exhibition, please take a look at the "Sato Keitaro Memorial Art Lounge".

Overview of the exhibition “Finn Juhl and the Danish Chair”

exhibition period	Saturday, July 23, 2022 to Sunday, October 9, 2022
venue	Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Gallery A・B・C
Opening hours	9:30-17:30 (Last entry 30 minutes before closing) *Fridays 9:30-20:00 (Last entry 30 minutes before closing)
closing day	Monday, September 20 (Tue) *Open on August 22nd (Mon), 29th (Mon), September 12th (Mon), 19th (Mon/Holiday), and 26th (Mon)
viewing fee	General 1,100 yen / University and vocational school students 700 yen / 65 years old and over 800 yen * Free for high school students and younger *Admission is free for those who have a physical disability certificate, love certificate, rehabilitation certificate, mental disability certificate, atomic bomb victim health certificate, and one accompanying person. *For other details, please check the official website of the exhibition.
organizer	Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture
Exhibition official website	https://www.tobikan.jp/finnjuhl

*The content of the article is as of the interview date (2022/7/22). Please check the official website for the latest information.

Article provided by: kokosil Ueno

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National Museum of Western Art

The National Museum of Western Art was reopened in April this year after being closed for about a year and a half.

This exhibition, which commemorates the reopening, will be a joint project with the Volkwang Museum in Germany, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

It is an attempt to trace the development of art born from dialogue between nature and people through more than 100 masterpieces that both museums are proud of.

This time, I will tell you about the state of the press preview held the day before the event.

This exhibition "National Museum of Western Art Reopening Memorial Nature and People's Dialogue Friedrich, Monet, Van Gogh, Richter" will be held with the cooperation of the Volkwang Museum in Germany.

The Volkwang Museum is centered around works of art collected from the 19th century by Karl Ernst Osthaus (1874-1921), who was born in a banker's house in Hagen, Germany, while the National Museum of Western Art is also Kojiro Matsukata (1874-1921). 1866-1950) is a museum based on Western art collected in Europe.

In other words, both buildings have in common that they are based on a collection of individuals who lived at about the same time.
The Osthouse opened the collection to the people of the local Ruhr region, known for its coal mining areas, and Kojiro Matsukata also conceived the "Kyoraku Museum" to provide the common people with the opportunity to enjoy Western culture.

It can be said that the ambitions of the two businessmen met at this exhibition after a long time.

Nature and people resonate through dialogue

The theme of this exhibition is "Nature and People".
Various landscapes and natural motifs cut out in the frame of the collections of the two museums resonate with each other in the composition of all four chapters. Van Gogh, Signac, Courbet … The painters of these works are unmistakable "masters" of Western art.

Regarding the contents of the exhibition, Megumi Jingaoka, a researcher in charge of this exhibition (Senior Researcher of the National Museum of Western Art), says, "This exhibition is not in chronological order, but in a structure that repeatedly adds variations to nature." ..

For example, Chapter 1 "Time Flowing in the Sky" shows the constantly changing aspects of nature, and Chapter 2 "Journey to <Beyond>" exhibits an invisible mental landscape linked to the artist's own five senses. In the following Chapter 3, "Architecture of Light," we extract permanent elements in nature such as order and law, and in the final chapter, "Circular Time Between Heaven and Earth," we link the permanent cycle of nature with human life. You can find a work that seems to have made you.

The gaze toward nature, which begins with the expression of "sky," descends into the depths of our own spirit as we move forward at the venue, and eventually changes into the expression of light and the universe. It's like a magnificent journey around nature itself.

Introducing natural expressions in Europe with over 100 works

This exhibition introduces European natural expressions with more than 100 works, from German Romanticism to Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and 20th century paintings.
In addition to being able to enjoy the various expressions of nature through the competition of Western painting masters such as Van Gogh, Manet, Monet, Cezanne, Gauguin, Signac, Nolde, Hodler, and Ernst, the works of the same painter in each of the two buildings. It is also a point that you can compare them.

Among such works, the one that can be said to be the white eye is the landscape painting "Pruning (the wheat field behind Saint-Paul Hospital where there are people who cut)" that Vincent van Gogh worked on in his later years. This is one of the representative landscape paintings in which Van Gogh, who was suffering from mental illness in his later years, portrayed "the image of death told by the great book of nature", and this is his first visit to Japan.

Gustave Courbet's Wave , exhibited in Chapter 2, also shows us the harsh nature of nature, which goes beyond mere objective events.
The sea, which has long been an unknown world for Courbet, who grew up in the mountains of France. He is said to have been working on this magnificent motif in earnest since the late 1860s. The color contrast between the black turquoise sea and the grayish madder sky, and the distinction of the texture with a paintbrush and a painting knife … It is a work that shows the writer's excellent skill in a simple composition.

In the final chapter, Claude Monet 's "Waterlilies, Reflections of Willows" and "Waterlilies" , as well as photographs taken by German female photographer Enne Biaman, are exhibited at the same time. Is.

Monet's "Waterlilies and Reflections of Willows" (1916), which was discovered in France in recent years and was first released in 2019 after restoration work, and the famous "Waterlilies" resonate in the same space, and it is a mysterious impression to our hearts. To evoke. The nature presented here is from a very close, micro-perspective, giving the impression that this journey, which began with a magnificent "sky" exhibition, is nearing its end.

In this exhibition, which Mr. Chenoka says, "the work was the starting point," each work must be the main character, but the walls are studded with the words of poets and artists who lived in the same era. In addition, it is said that various parts of the exhibition space were also adventurous.
At the opening of the exhibition, Mr. Chenoka

"I tried to create a structure in which each work interacts with each other. The work, the text, and the space. I hope you can enjoy the exhibition in the overall resonance."

I summarized the highlights of this exhibition.
I hope you will come to the venue and feel the sound of nature and people.

Outline of the event

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At the gallery shop “Geidai Art Plaza” on the Ueno Campus of Tokyo University of the Arts, a special exhibition “Art Jungle ~ Geidai Zoo ~” by more than 50 artists related to Geidai is being held. Admission is free, and the session is from April 23 (Sat) to June 26 (Sun), 2022.

This exhibition where you can meet creatures with various charms, such as adorable and a little creepy. Since I have actually watched it, I would like to introduce some of the exhibited works.

An art zoo appears in Ueno! “Art Jungle ~ Tokyo University of the Arts ~”

Geidai Art Plaza is a 10-minute walk from JR Ueno Station. Here, works of various genres by artists related to Tokyo University of the Arts, such as students, graduates, and faculty members of Tokyo University of the Arts, are exhibited and sold.

There are many paintings and three-dimensional works that are easy to decorate at home, and the price range is mainly tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, but there are also accessories and containers that can be used daily for thousands of yen. It is a spot where anyone can feel free to experience “buying art”.

The special exhibition “Art Jungle ~ Geidai Zoo ~”, which started on April 23, has 57 artists with Japanese paintings, oil paintings, sculptures, crafts, etc. under the slogan “Making Geidai Art Plaza an art jungle!” Exhibits the flora and fauna that you created in your own way. Right next to Ueno Zoo, “another zoo made of art = Tokyo University of the Arts” is appearing.

I want to take it home! Cute creatures

In this exhibition, you can meet many cute creatures.

Oh OH DEAR……! A work called “Waiting for Spring” by Akiko Tojo, who suddenly smiled at her loveliness. This is my recommendation.

I expected it to be cloth or clay from a distance, but I was surprised at the wood carving. The fluffy feeling of the fur is beautifully expressed by the carved marks. I feel the warmth unique to wood carving. The toes are irresistible when you peek out from the loose shape of the lower abdomen.

It’s cute from any angle, but I’m really happy to notice that I have a blanket and a doll (?) In my left hand. It’s too cute …

It wraps around your body like a gentle spring breeze. Solitude is always there. The child who keeps waiting is dignified and dear. (Akiko Tojo)

Many of the works in this exhibition have the above artist comments, so you can know the intention of the production and the feelings put into the work. Is this penguin waiting for his parents? Perhaps it was intended, because this child was exhibited in a rather poppy place at the venue, I wanted to hug him tightly.

Many fictitious creatures such as Sawako Kobayashi’s “Hane Usagi” have appeared. The eyebrows that point upwards and the tsundere mouth are cheeky and really cute. It’s nice that the body shape balance that becomes slender as you go to your feet emphasizes the fluffy feeling of the chest hair.

“Hane Usagi” and “Hane Hitsuji” are fictitious animals that want to live together. Although it is a mammal, it wears feathers and cannot fly, but it jumps. It stores red heart feathers on its chest and gives people a nostalgic, sweet scent. Body temperature is higher than humans and is useful on cold days. The feathers are spread and warmed in winter, so they are round and slim in summer (Sawako Kobayashi).

When I read the comments that made me feel the artist’s love, the reality suddenly increased and I wanted to try it. If this child actually exists, many people will welcome him to his family.

Wataru Uchida’s “Sleeping Bird” and “Eat” are attractive with their loose form and weak expression. These are the animals that you definitely want to decorate at your bedside, where you can relax your shoulders. I especially liked the “sweet potato feeling” in the shape of “sleeping bird”.

Kaoru Sugiyama boldly extracts the characteristics of Asian black bears and owls with crayons and simply deforms them. It seems that mineral pigments are used for the painted part. Perhaps it is a fairly thick coat, the rough matte texture with a fluffy presence gives the simple design a personality. It was a nice style that seemed to match both Western and Japanese rooms.

Seika Mori’s “Dara Dara Natural Glaze Fugu Piggy Bank” looks like a piggy bank. You will be healed by your plump and glossy stomach. The irregular pattern unique to natural glaze was delicious, and there was an atmosphere that made me want to pick it up and look at it at the moment.

Ken Matsuda’s “Sirigro Frog” is a palm-sized work, with legs that stretch out from a flat, oval body, and eyes that can’t be said whether they are observing their prey or just being chilly. Is cute. If you look closely, the pattern on your back is fine! The glossy gray color creates an amphibian-like appearance. It seems to move slimy.

Keep an eye on Kumiko Negami’s unique view of the world

What stood out in this exhibition was the work of Kumiko Negami. Especially, “Supercar” had a great impact. A pervert suddenly appeared while I was crazy about the cute animals in the zoo. When I read the artist’s comment while being confused, “What do you mean !?”

I made it based on the concept that if you can move the whole thing, you will be invincible. It is said that the time spent in the bathroom in a lifetime is three years. This solves a big problem in life. The classic potty chair is a duck, but I want to ride a tapirus with a slightly sloppy face. (Kumiko Negami)

is what they said. I see, i see?)

By taking off the upper body of a person who is totally refreshed, it makes us feel even more open.

The potty chair isn’t sloppy, it feels like it’s crazy. It seems that humans are also smiling in shape, but they have a little emotion, a mysterious expression that I do not know which emotion they are. When I watched it together with Negami-san’s other works, I realized that he was good at creating exquisite facial expressions that could be received by the viewer.

“Leather-style dog” is so lively that it seems to start talking at any moment. It looks like a stupid expression, but I also felt that I couldn’t trust it if I wasn’t careful.

I wonder if the “kudu buran” and “deer buran” exhibited on the wall were made by stuffing the deer’s head, which is often found in rich houses, with the front legs sticking out. I was imagining. However, when I read the artist’s comments, it looks like a two-legged animal from the beginning. As soon as you know it, you will find the feeling of encounter with the unknown and the eerieness in your smile. It’s a mass of sense … I’ve become a fan of Negami-san.

Beautiful works that forget time and are drawn in

Mei Suzawa’s “Brilliance” and “Glimmer” drawn in pale pastel colors are exceptionally beautiful and gorgeous in this exhibition.

Ms. Mei Suzawa, who has studied the technique of making peacock drawings by Maruyama Okyo, a painter from the Edo period. Feel the graceful appearance of peacocks and birds while reliveing the attitude of responding to try to express the beauty of peacocks, which is the ultimate in the decorative beauty of the natural world, using traditional materials of Japanese painting. It seems to have been expressed. The unrealistic colors further enhance the fantasy of the peacock.

Generally, Japanese paintings are dignified or unfamiliar, but this one has a warmth that comforts the viewer and overturns the image of Japanese paintings. The appearance of burying her beak in her feathers is lovely, and I feel a love-filled look for parakeets.

Hirohiro Iwasaki’s novel and fashionable work of printing a landscape photograph of the land where the insects were on the body of the insect is also eye-catching. First of all, I was surprised at the fact that it can be printed on insect specimens!

The individual was taken in Indonesia. The slightly blurred landscape has the effect of making you feel as if you are looking at the landscape seen by this butterfly through its wings. If you see such a wonderful work while traveling, you will probably buy it reflexively. I forgot the time and looked at it.

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Only a few are introduced. There are many other fascinating creatures at the venue! Shooting is possible and admission is free, so when you visit Ueno Zoo, why not visit another zoo at Geidai Art Plaza?

Outline of the special exhibition “Art Jungle ~ Tokyo University of the Arts ~”

Legislative session	April 23, 2022 (Sat) -June 26, 2022 (Sun)
venue	Geidai Art Plaza 12-8 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo Tokyo University of the Arts Faculty of Fine Arts Campus
Opening hours	11: 00-18: 00
closing day	Monday (Open on public holidays, closed on the following Tuesday)
Admission fee	free
URL	Official website: https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/artplaza_geidai
inquiry	https://form.id.shogakukan.co.jp/forms/artplaza-geidai
Notes	* Business dates and times may change depending on the status of the new coronavirus. Please check the official website and SNS for the latest information.

* The content of the article is as of May 15, 2022. Please check the official website for the latest information.

Article provided by: Kokoshiru Ueno

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Tokyo National Museum

In the 4th year of Reiwa (2022), Okinawa Prefecture will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its return to the mainland.

When Okinawa was once the Ryukyu Kingdom, it aimed to become a bridge to the world by engaging in trade and diplomacy with other countries in the seas of Asia.

The famous word “Bridge of Nations” contains such a noble ideal of Ryukyu.

The road that the Ryukyu Kingdom has taken since then has not been flat, but the sparkle of its own culture nurtured in the soil still captures our hearts.

A special exhibition “Ryukyu” focusing on the establishment and significance of Ryukyu culture and its aesthetic sense has opened at the Tokyo National Museum.

The skill and beauty of the Ryukyu Kingdom revived here.

The venue consists of five chapters: “Bridge of Nations Bell in Asia,” “Pride of the Kingship, Diplomacy and Culture,” “Prehistoric Culture of the Ryukyu Islands,” “Prayers with the People of the Islands,” and “To the Future.” The venue is divided into the first venue and the second venue, each of which has enough volume to compose one exhibition.

In this exhibition, various cultural assets such as archaeological relics and folk works will be gathered together in addition to historical materials and craft works from the Kingdom era and treasures handed down to the King Naoya. In addition, at the end of the exhibition, we will introduce the Ryukyu Kingdom Cultural Heritage Accumulation and Reconstruction Project, which has been undertaken since 2015, and display the cultural properties restored by the project.

I can feel the desire of the organizer to hand over the precious Ryukyu culture from the past to the future to the next generation.

The “Copper Bell” (in front of the former Engakuji Buddhist temple), which sits in the first venue, is a temple bell engraved with the words “Bridge of Nations”, which shows the spirit of the Ryukyu Kingdom as a bridge of the world.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Ryukyu Kingdom flew into the seas of Asia and prospered as a base for relay trade connecting various parts of the country. Its existence is also emphasized by European countries that entered Asia in the 16th century, and the name “Ryukyu” became known to the world.
It is an idea that is similar to modern globalization, but it can be said that the scale of human beings and the size of their ambitions are isolated from the modern Japanese.

At the first venue, a number of valuable historical materials that trace the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom are exhibited.

At the venue, the treasures of Ryukyu culture such as Ryukyu lacquering, tea ware, and paintings by master craftsmen will be gathered. 73 national treasures, 20 important cultural properties, 38 prefectural and city designated important cultural properties, and about one-third are designated cultural properties, and it can be said that the quality and quantity of the exhibitions on the theme of Ryukyu and Okinawa are the largest. Let’s go.

Among them, the release of the three treasure swords that have been handed down to the Sho family, including the Aogai Raden sword sword fitting , is attracting attention. Not only the beauty of the blade and decoration, but also the three treasure swords were taken up in the blockbuster online game “Touken Ranbu” , and the appeal to the younger generation is increasing. Collaboration products with “Touken Ranbu -ONLINE-” are also on sale at the exhibition goods corner, so if you are interested, please stop by.

Looking around the venue, Ryukyu dyeing and weaving with a wide variety of materials and techniques, such as the formal wear of the King of Ryukyu, costumes using Chinese chintz, and floating fabrics woven in Ryukyu, are eye-catching. The exhibition in which Ryukyu dyeing and weaving is widely exhibited so far is a very valuable opportunity as far as I can remember.

“Scarlet ground wave cherry tree pattern Bingata cotton costume” is characterized by a landscape painting-like design with a large wave rising over the entire back. The mystery of the design, which combines the Toyama Sakura pattern from Japan and the Habuyama water pattern from China, strongly reflects the characteristics of Ryukyu culture, which has a rich international flavor.

Many people associate Okinawa with the image of a ritual represented by “Noro”. The characteristic of women in charge of rituals is similar to the “Onarigami belief” that sisters protect their brothers spiritually, and Ryukyu has nurtured such aesthetic sense and religious views in abundant nature.

At the end of the exhibition, we will focus on the “faith” aspect of Ryukyu culture and evoke the prayers of the people of Okinawa in our hearts. Yes, Okinawa has always been an island of prayer.

The vivid red lacquer lacquer peony peony peony rice offering was used in the royal government as a ritual tool for the Ryukyu royal family. It is an important ritual vessel in the history of Ryukyu lacquering, which is a collection of lacquering techniques such as woodworking and lacquering, and is considered to be a valuable work when considering the culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Outline of the event

Legislative session	May 3rd (Tuesday / holiday) -June 26th (Sunday), 2022
venue	Tokyo National Museum Heiseikan (Ueno Park)
Opening hours	9: 30-17: 00 (admission is 30 minutes before closing)
closing day	Monday
Admission fee	General 2,100 yen University student 1,300 yen High school student 900 yen (Note) This exhibition does not require advance reservation. Please purchase a ticket at the ticket office at the main gate of the Tokyo National Museum when you visit the museum. (Note) You may have to wait for admission during times of congestion. (Note) Free for junior high school students and younger, persons with disabilities and one caregiver. Please present your student ID card, disability certificate, etc. when you enter the library. (Note) With this exhibition admission ticket, you can also see the comprehensive cultural exhibition only on the day of viewing. However, depending on the congestion of the comprehensive cultural exhibition, you may have to wait for admission. (Note) Some works will be changed during the exhibition period. (Note) For details, please see the ticket information page on the official exhibition website .
Exhibition official website	https://tsumugu.yomiuri.co.jp/ryukyu2022/

 

 

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Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

"Scottish National Gallery THE GREATS Beauty Masters" , which introduces the works of masters who colored the history of Western painting from the Renaissance period to the latter half of the 19th century, is being held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum from April 22 (Friday). The session is until July 3rd (Sun).

Since I participated in the press preview held prior to the opening, I will report on the state of the venue and the exhibited works.

The treasure of beauty that the Scottish National Gallery is proud of comes to Japan at once.

The Scottish National Gallery, opened in 1859 in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is known as one of the world's leading museums with many collections of works by important painters in the history of Western painting, such as Raphael, El Greco, Rubens, Velázquez, Rembrandt, Boucher, Corot and Renoir.

"Scottish National Gallery THE GREATS Beauty Masters" introduces the works of such masters (THE GREATS) in chronological order.

In addition, the museum's collection is full of charm from England-born painters such as Gainsborough, Reynolds, and Miley, as well as outstanding Scottish painters such as Rayburn, Ramsey, Grant, and Wilkey, which are hard to find in Japan. Many masterpieces are also exhibited.

Through about 90 oil paintings, watercolors, and drawings , you can learn about the history of the trends and transitions of British painting in the flow of Western painting from the Renaissance period to the latter half of the 19th century.

prologue

This exhibition consists of four chapters, "Renaissance," "Baroque," "Grand Tour Era," and "Pioneers of the 19th Century," and a prologue + epilogue.

First, in the prologue, we will introduce the Scottish National Gallery.

There are many exhibitions that introduce the museums that rent out their works with photographs and movies, but in the prologue of this exhibition, the state of the museum where the museum's collection is still exhibited and its neoclassical architecture are wonderful. It is interesting to see the impressive cityscape of Edinburgh surrounding the museum with paintings.

If you think "Is it a temple?", This is a museum … An elaborate and romantic watercolor painting with the Edinburgh Castle in the back, which is full of extraordinary feeling like a fantasy world. The museum information that I usually throw away in "Hmm" is completely burned into my memory.

Chapter 1. Renaissance

Next, go to the exhibition area of "Chapter 1. Renaissance". Exhibits creative paintings and drawings from the Renaissance, which flourished around Florence, Venice and Rome.

Leonardo da Vinci's teacher, Verrocchio, depicts the ruined temple in "The Virgin of Worship of the Infant Christ (" Our Lady of Ruskin ")", which is unusual for the background of the Madonna and Child of this era. .. It can be said that it is an important example showing the characteristics of the Renaissance of "rediscovery and analysis of the ancient world" in religious paintings.

On the other hand, there are also unprecedented secular works such as Bordone's "Venice Women in Makeup", which refined the sensual theme of a high-class whore showing skin with mythical and allegorical metaphors. Taking up what has come to be drawn, it introduces the expansion of activity opportunities for artists of this era and the variety of interests and tastes of clients.

There is also an exhibition of beautiful drawings of Raphael and Titian, and an unfinished work "Allegory of Virtue (Unfinished)", which is said to be by Correggio and is more valuable than the finished product (?). It is a fascinating work that makes you imagine the completed "Mottainai" at the same time as you feel sorry for seeing the three-dimensional effect of a woman on the right side of the screen like CG. Although the number of works was small at 12 points, it was impressive.

Chapter 2. Baroque

"Chapter 2. Baroque" features works by innovative 17th-century European painters such as Velázquez and Rembrandt who tried to overturn the traditional worldview.

The early masterpiece of the Spanish painter Velázquez, who created unprecedented realism paintings by raising the small subjects of everyday life to the realm of great art, is the first visit to Japan at this exhibition.

The skin and clothes of the boy and the old woman, as well as the texture of the tableware and ingredients in the foreground are skillfully drawn, and the dramatic light and dark depiction creates a solemn atmosphere with the ordinary motifs of the common people. It's amazing because this is a work I drew when I was 18 or 19 years old …

Also noteworthy is the mysterious work "Woman in Bed" by Rembrandt, the greatest artist of the 17th century Holland, who gave the characters of the Bible and myth a deep humanity and struck a chord with the viewer.

Although the subject-specific elements are avoided, it seems that Sarah, whose groom was killed by the devil seven times on the first night of marriage, is watching the battle between her new husband Tobia and the devil in the Old Testament. It is said that. The complex facial expressions that cast shadows on the face, anticipation and anxiety, and above all, convey the urgency, make me feel like Rembrandt's skillful emotional expression.

Van Dyck's "Portrait of Marquis Ambrogio Spinola (1569-1630)", which had a great influence on later British art in the field of portraiture, was also impressive, but what was particularly interesting in this "Baroque" area was. It was the Italian painter Leni's "Crown of Moses and Pharaoh".

The work of Reni, who has a graceful human body, clear outlines, and a balanced composition, has been described as "a painter next to Raphael" in academism and "a genius like a god" by Goethe. It's a strange finish, or something strange, saying, "Women's skin is too green, isn't it? Women are generally blurry compared to men …". I opened the official catalog, thinking that there must be some intention.

Then, it was written that "Leni in his later years was making a work with a technique that seems to be rough and unfinished, but this work may be really unfinished", and it was a little ridiculous. The misunderstanding makes researchers cry. The person who wrote Leni's biography said that he was bitterly describing it as "a messy technique that seems to have been drawn in a hurry." I didn't know that he was the type who polluted the late evening. But this is nice with a mysterious atmosphere.

Chapter 3. The Age of Grand Tour

The 18th century was an era of explosive artistic talent in cities such as Paris, London and Venice. It was also a time when British collectors made a large-scale trip to Europe called the "Grand Tour" with the aim of purchasing art and deepening their cultural culture. "Chapter 3. The Age of the Grand Tour" introduces works from these two perspectives.

Immediately after entering the exhibition area, he established the genre of "Bird's Nest" and was filled with the charm of the innovator Watteau, who imagined a fantastic utopia. Exhibits three idyllic and romantic masterpieces by. You will be drawn into the gorgeous Rococo world that symbolizes Paris in the 18th century.

On the other hand, as the expression of portraits developed in Britain around this time, Ramsey, Reynolds, and Gainsborough, who are called the three major portrait painters in Britain, are introduced in this exhibition as well.

Of particular note is Reynolds from England, who was the first president of the Royal Academy.

The masterpiece "Waldegrave Ladies" is a work that is difficult to understand at first glance because it does not face the front like a normal portrait. Three women are doing handicrafts, but they are as elegant as a salon. The composition of the three women lined up is likened to the traditional theme of classical art, "Three Goddesses," and thanks to that, it has a timeless beauty. This is a work that symbolizes Reynolds who tried to raise the status of portraits by incorporating "Grand Manners (style of historical painting)".

Also, Gainsborough's "Portrait of Serena Thistleswaite on Norman Court", a rival of Reynolds and a respectful relationship with each other, is a must-see for the very bold and quick brushstrokes around the skirt. .. Even though it seems to be a little rough finish, when you look at it from a distance, the glossy texture is beautifully expressed, and it should feel like magic.

Gainsborough succeeded in portraiture, but he actually wanted to be a landscape painter. Does a high level of interest in landscapes create a unique atmosphere on the screen? His work, which fuses people and landscapes, is somewhat lyrical.

Italy is a place visited by British collectors enthusiastically on the "Grand Tour", and by one of the most famous painters in Venice in the 18th century, Guardi, a "landscape map (Veduta)" depicting the cityscape in detail. Was also very popular.

I can't leave memories of a fun trip in the photos like in the present age, so I feel a sense of familiarity when I think that everyone bought them as souvenirs. The charm is the quick brush strokes reminiscent of the Impressionists and the style that consciously incorporates the feeling of light and air, which is different from the geographic landscape paintings that have been accurately contoured up to that point.

The Road to Camaldoli, created by the English painter Cousins from a sketch of a trip to Italy, was also an unobtrusive but beautiful work. It is a watercolor painting of the bay of Pozzuoli in Naples, and the scenery is different between the sketch and the finished product.

The subdued tones of soft green and bluish grey create a melancholy atmosphere, but the distant sea and sky are fantastic with a hint of rosy light. This landscape is not just a record, but a poetic reconstruction within the painter. For the artists, it seemed to convey how special the land of Italy at this time was.

Chapter 4. Pioneers of the 19th Century

Britain and France in the 19th century continued to favor portraits and landscape paintings, while revolutionary painters such as the Barbizon school, who were active in the middle of the century, and the subsequent Impressionists and Post-Impressionists made a big difference. "Chapter 4. Pioneers of the 19th Century" to introduce that.

As an example of a brilliant and traditional "Grand Manor" portrait, the highlights are the masterpieces of Scottish painters Rayburn and Grant, who are rarely seen in Japan.

Inspired by Reynolds and Gainsborough, which I introduced earlier, the English-born painter Miley's "" Sweet eyes unparalleled in ancient times "" is impressive with clear eyes that look at the harsh reality that will come in a wistful manner. .. While there were many portraits dressed up perfectly, the clothes and hairstyles were plain and simple, and on the contrary, they looked fresh.

It is a work with a very sentimental atmosphere, based on keen observation, and the title is taken from the poem of the female poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. It is said to express the innocence and fragility of a growing girl along with the picked violet flowers. Thus, the major painters of this era tended to personally interpret the themes of literature and stories.

Don't miss The Vale of Dedham, a master of 19th-century English landscape painting, Constable. This work depicts the rural landscape of his hometown, which he loved, and how the latest attention is paid to the shadows cast by clouds and the plants that seem to convey the feel and coldness of touching them. It is a masterpiece that he described as "probably my masterpiece", feeling the wonderful naturalism unique to him.

In France, painters have emerged who directly copy the subject and praise the color and light. In this exhibition, follow the transition of the expressions of the revolutionary painters who created the era while being controversial and were widely loved, with works centered on masters such as Corot, Sisley, Renoir, Manet, and Gauguin. increase.

epilogue

In the epilogue, there is only one work, the masterpiece of the American painter Church, "Niagara Falls seen from the American side".

If you don't look closely, you won't notice it, but there is an observatory on the cliff on the left side of the screen, and there is a small figure looking into the waterfall. In contrast to this figure, this is the largest work in this exhibition, which beautifully expresses the wonders of Niagara Falls, the sublime and dramatic scale. (257.5 x 227.3 cm)

It is a masterpiece suitable for decorating the last, but despite having consciously taken up English and Scottish painters so far, I wonder why the works of American painters who painted American nature suddenly appeared. and. Yasuyuki Takashiro, curator of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, explained the reason as follows.

"It's a work donated to the Scottish National Gallery for his hometown by a successful, fortune-making businessman born in a poor Scottish family. The Scottish National Gallery was initially funded to buy paintings. The reason why we were able to form such a high quality and wonderful collection now is that we have a history of receiving donations from local celebrities and citizens and purchasing works with donations. The work symbolizes the history of the Scottish National Gallery's collection formation and marks the end of this exhibition as a monumental work. "

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"Scottish National Gallery THE GREATS Beauty Masters" highlights the masterpieces of Scottish and English painters while introducing the works of Western painting masters from the Renaissance to the latter half of the 19th century. It will be held until July 3, 2022 (Sun).

Overview of "Scottish National Gallery THE GREATS Beauty Masters"

Legislative session	April 22nd (Friday) -July 3rd (Sunday), 2022
venue	Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Planning Exhibition Room
Opening hours	9: 30-17: 30, Fridays 9: 30-20: 00 (admission is 30 minutes before closing) * Please check the official exhibition website for information on opening at night.
closing day	Monday (but open on May 2nd)
Admission fee	General 1900 yen / College student / vocational school student 1300 yen / 65 years old and over 1400 yen * It is a reservation system with a designated date and time. For other details, please check the official website of the exhibition .
Organizer	Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art, Mainichi Newspapers, NHK, NHK Promotion
inquiry	050-5541-8600 (Hello dial)
Exhibition official website	https://greats2022.jp

Article provided by: Kokoshiru Ueno

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National Museum of Western Art

The National Museum of Western Art (Ueno, Tokyo), which had been closed for about a year and a half due to facility maintenance, was reopened on April 9, 2022!

In this article, the front yard, designed by French architect Le Corbusier (1887-1965), who is called the "father of modern architecture", has been restored to its original appearance in 1959, and is open to the public for free. A detailed report on changes after the renewal, such as "Century Hall" .

At the same time, we will also introduce the newly opened small exhibitions "Toward Harmony: The Second Machine Age of Le Corbusier Art-From the Taisei Collection" and "New Collection Print Collection Exhibition".

The National Museum of Western Art, which is closer to what it was when it opened

At the press conference and renewal preview held the day before the reopening, I quickly visited the National Museum of Western Art after construction.

In the construction work that started in October 2020, the air conditioning and waterproof equipment of the exhibition hall were renewed, but the appearance of the front yard is what you can see and feel the renewal.

The front yard of the museum has undergone various modifications since its opening in 1959. This was to improve the function and convenience of the museum, but when the entire site including the main building and the front yard was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2016, the original design intention of the front yard was partially lost. It seems that he was pointed out that he was being damaged.

Therefore, in order to convey the intention designed by Le Corbusier correctly and to increase the value of the building, the museum decided to return the front yard to the original appearance as much as possible in accordance with the facility maintenance .

The first thing I noticed when I visited the museum after the renewal was that the plants on the southwest side were almost removed and that the site of the museum was clearly visible from the garden road of Ueno Park. ..

If you have seen the appearance before the renewal, please remember the scene at that time.

The photo above is the place where there was a planting area with a path before the renewal. It was a lot refreshing!

The front yard had a slightly closed atmosphere due to the planting and the fence surrounding the site, but this time it has been restored to the appearance of an open open space at the time of opening. In order to maintain continuity with Ueno Park, the fence was made transparent as it was at the time of opening, so that the line of sight can be seen from both the garden road side and the museum side.

The approach to the main building and the arrangement of the sculptures, which Le Corbusier had in mind, were as close as possible to the original appearance of the museum.

First, the entrance on the west side (fountain square side), which was once treated as the main gate, has a shape close to the original state. At the same time, the floor line drawn to guide visitors from this western entrance has also been restored.

The floor line extends straight to the east towards the Gate of Hell. Along the line, while watching Rodin's "The Thinker (enlarged work)" on the right and "Citizen of Curry" on the left, the line branches to the left and invites people into the main building.

At the time of design, Le Corbusier envisioned an "infinite growth museum" in which a core room was first created in the center, and as the collection increased, the exhibition space was expanded in a spiral shape on the outside.

Kyo Fukuda, an expert at the museum, said, "The flow continues from the front yard to the piloti (a space with a colonnade consisting of only pillars), which is the concept of the Museum of Infinite Growth, and then to the central hall. However, as you shift your gaze, the scene changes one after another, and Le Corbusier often uses the technique of inviting people to move in a natural direction without using signs such as arrows. "

Also, on the floor of the vestibule, you will notice that in addition to the flow lines, fine joints spread out like a ghost leg.

This is assigned by "Modulor" , a scale devised by Le Corbusier based on the dimensions and golden ratio of the human body. Although it was before the renewal, it was difficult to understand the design because the joints as the original design and the joints that divide the concrete panel were mixed. Also, it seems that the position of some of the joints as a design has changed from when it opened.

With this renewal, the joints of the concrete panels have also been allocated with Modulor so as not to spoil the aesthetics, and the details have been restored.

By the way, it is the joint of the floor of this front yard, but it seems that the layout, width and position of the sash of the window of the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan opposite is completely compatible!

The design of the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan was done by Kunio Maekawa, a disciple of Le Corbusier who was also involved in the design of the National Museum of Western Art, so is it a homage to his master? Please compare them when you visit.

The atrium space "19th Century Hall" in the main building is open for free!

Upon reopening, the atrium space "19th Century Hall" in the center of the main building, which used to be a paid area, will be open for free for the time being! (A viewing ticket is required from the slope leading to the exhibition room on the 2nd floor)

The "19th Century Hall", where the appearance of soft natural light entering from the triangular skylight is impressive, is a place where the space itself is like a sculpture. It is the starting point of the permanent exhibition, and if you go up the slope to the second floor, you can see the exhibition rooms arranged in a corridor shape so as to surround the hall.

The spiral flow line starting from the "19th Century Hall" reflects the idea of Le Corbusier's "Museum of Infinite Growth". If you climb the gently sloping slope, you can see the paintings on the second floor behind the pillars … Again, you can enjoy the scenery that changes while you move. Experience the world of Le Corbusier in the "19th Century Hall" along with the renewed front yard.

There is a new mechanism in the permanent exhibition!

There is also a change in the permanent exhibition where you can appreciate Western paintings and modern French sculptures from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, centered on the "Matsukata Collection" built by businessman Kojiro Matsukata.

The permanent exhibition is full of works by masters representing the times, such as Monet of "Water Lily", Delacroix, Rubens, Cezanne, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso and so on. It is an exhibition full of incredible highlights that you can put in for 500 yen.

According to Director Masayuki Tanaka, the exhibition method of the permanent exhibition has been reconsidered in line with the renewal, and the works are arranged in a slightly different way.

"It's a secret exhibition, with modern works mixed in with old-age paintings. Look at why modern works are mixed there and what you're trying to show. I would appreciate it. " There is also a new pickup introduction section for the work "Collection in FOCUS", so please check it out.

I would like to introduce some of the works that may be new faces of the permanent exhibition, such as new collection works and first exhibition works.

Since it was a big deal, I took a leisurely tour of the permanent exhibition. Personally, the exhibition room of this permanent exhibition is a fun place to have a moment when I feel like I'm lost in a forest without an exit, "Where am I now?" Does the fact that the walls are installed like blindfolds in some places give an unpredictable feeling and a maze feeling? I felt the essence of "Infinite Growth Museum" even in such a place.

Two types of small exhibitions will open at the same time!

A small exhibition "Towards Harmony: The Second Machine Age of Le Corbusier Art-From the Taisei Collection", which introduces paintings and drawings produced by Le Corbusier in his later years from April 9th, in line with the reopening. Is being held.

Approximately 20 works (about 30 including replacement) will be exhibited, centered on the works deposited by Taisei Corporation, which holds the world's leading collection of Le Corbusier.

A lineup of works that have changed direction from the early Purist style and aimed at the fusion of natural figures and strict geometric compositions, and the harmony between humans and machines, emotions and rationality, and art and science. It seems to be a thing, but at my level, I didn't really understand that. (I was watching the pictures of animals while thinking that they were charming and cute)

The images do not overlap so much between the building and the painting. However, when I watched this small exhibition after going around the National Museum of Western Art, I was wondering, "Oh, I wonder if this building and the creator of the work are the same."

I heard that the dimensions of "Modulor" mentioned earlier are used not only in the front yard but also in various parts of the main building. For that reason, I feel that a unique rhythm and harmony is born in the space. Is there an overlap between the architecture where regularity and unexpectedness coexist and the painting which seems to be unordered and harmonious as a whole? It was an exhibition that I thought.

At the "New Collection Print Collection Exhibition" that opened at the same time, we will introduce works that have been newly collected since 2015 from the print collection of the museum, which has more than 4,500 items. From the end of the 15th century to the beginning of the 20th century, you can enjoy a variety of print expressions, including works by masters such as Durer and Rembrandt.

From June 4th, "National Museum of Western Art Renewal Opening Memorial Nature and People Dialogue Friedrich, Monet, Van Gogh to Richter" will be held

At the press conference, a special exhibition "National Museum of Western Art Renewal Opening Memorial", which is scheduled to be held from June 4, 2022, was born from a joint project with the Volkwang Museum in Germany. From Friedrich, Monet, Goch to Richter. Also introduced.

From the collections of both buildings, more than 100 paintings, drawings, prints and photographs from German Romanticism to 20th century paintings are exhibited, centered on Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. It introduces the development of sensibility and artistic expression for nature in modern times, which was born from the dialogue between nature and people (dialog).

Van Gogh's masterpiece of landscape painting, "Pruning (Wheat field behind Saint-Paul Hospital, where there are pruners)" is coming to Japan for the first time , and the Finnish painter Gallen, who is attracting worldwide attention. Carrera's work is also released for the first time in Japan. You can enjoy a variety of natural expressions by co-starring masters such as Manet, Signac, Munch, Hodler, and Ernst.

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The National Museum of Western Art has made a fresh start. Before viewing, please enjoy the front yard where you can feel the thought of Le Corbusier.

■ National Museum of Western Art Information

Location: 7-7 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Opening hours: 9: 30-17: 30 (until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays) * Admission is 30 minutes before closing
Official site: https://www.nmwa.go.jp/jp/

・ Small exhibition "Toward Harmony: The Second Machine Age of Le Corbusier Art-From the Taisei Collection"
Session: April 9th (Sat) -September 19th (Monday / holiday), 2022
Venue: National Museum of Western Art, New Building, 1st floor, 1st exhibition room

・ Small exhibition "New Collection Print Collection Exhibition"
Session: April 9th (Sat) -May 22nd (Sun), 2022
Venue: National Museum of Western Art New Building 2nd Floor Print Drawing Exhibition Room

・ Special exhibition "National Museum of Western Art Reopening Memorial Nature and People Dialogue Friedrich, Monet, Van Gogh to Richter"
Session: June 4th (Sat) -September 11th (Sun), 2022
Venue: National Museum of Western Art

* Please check the official website for closed days and admission fees.

Article provided by: Kokoshiru Ueno

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National Science Museum

A special exhibition "Jewelry Earth Creates Kiseki" is being held at the National Museum of Nature and Science (Ueno, Tokyo), which is a collection of a wide variety of jewelery and gorgeous jewelery made from them. The session is from February 19th (Sat) to June 19th (Sun).

I have participated in the news gathering and the press preview held prior to the event, so I will report on the situation at the venue.

Kazureza is also curious! An exhibition where you can see all about gems

Most gems are minerals formed inside the earth. Through the combination of various geological processes, minerals that meet all the requirements of gemstones such as beauty, durability and moderate size are rarely produced and have long been revered because of their rarity.

In ancient times, it was used as a talisman, amulet, and a symbol of status and power. Now as a jewelery. The jewels, which shine beautifully and have mystery and strength in their undying appearance, have fascinated people all over the world over time.

The special exhibition "Gemstones of the Earth" will showcase about 200 types of gemstones, including rough (raw stone) and loose (polished stone), as well as jewelry from the world-famous jewelry collection, including Albion art. It is a content that comprehensively introduces "gems" from a scientific and cultural perspective while showing the real thing, such as the mechanism of birth of gemstones, history, properties, diversity, processing technology, etc.

Kazureza, a talent who was the official ambassador of the exhibition and was also in charge of the audio guide navigator, appeared at the interview.

Mr. Kazureza says that there is so much to learn about this exhibition. "Every gem has its own characteristics, and if you look at how it changes color when exposed to light, how hard it is, how it cracks, etc., you can find out more about various things by derivation. I think it's okay, "and suggests how to enjoy it.

At the end of the interview, he said, "I don't say anything about gems and minerals, but it was interesting that human perception of them changed with history. Please come and visit us." rice field.

In addition, Ritsuro Miyawaki, director of the Department of Earth Sciences, National Museum of Nature and Science, who is the supervisor of this exhibition, talks about his thoughts on this exhibition as follows.

"Jewelry has been close to our lives since ancient times as an entity that enriches and enhances people's lives and enriches our lives not only as a practical product in real life, but rather as a presence that enriches our lives. I hope that you will make use of this exhibition to deepen your perspective on the background and the knowledge that you can fully enjoy the secret of its beauty while looking back at. "

Chapter 1 Birth of rough stone

I will take up some specific exhibition contents.

In "Chapter 1 Birth of Gemstones", four types of occurrence (igneous rocks, lodes, pegmatites, metamorphic rocks) are presented with large specimens of various rocks including gemstones. ) Is introduced separately.

For example, the rough stones found in "igneous rocks" formed by the cooling and solidification of magma are diamonds and peridots. Amethyst and rock crystals are said to be the rough stones found in the "lode", which is the trace of hot hot water that exists deep underground and has risen through cracks in the bedrock.

The visuals of the rough stones are unique, such as tourmaline, which looks like an artificial object with some energy, and malachite, which is crystallized like a round mycelium. In addition, a pallasite meteorite containing peridot was also exhibited as an extraterrestrial rough stone.

In Chapter 1, you can also see the huge amethyst dome with a height of about 2.5 m, which was excavated from the lava plateau in Brazil, which was glimpsed in the photo earlier. It is spectacular to see a large number of amethyst shining so much that you can hear the sound. This is the highlight of this exhibition.

Chapter 2 From rough stones to gems

"Chapter 2 From Gemstones to Gemstones" introduces the processing technology from rough stone mining to cutting (molding and polishing processes). For example, we display a process sample of a round brilliant cut (58-sided cut) designed as a cut that maximizes the charm of diamonds, and explain in an easy-to-understand manner how rough stones become beautiful gems.

Of the jewelry of the "Hashimoto Collection" collected by antique collector Nuki Hashimoto (1924-2018) at auctions around the world over 15 years, about 200 rings with jewels set were produced. Exhibitions arranged in order. You can trace the history of gem cutting for about 4000 years.

If you are an antique jewelery enthusiast, the lineup is so varied and diverse that you can watch it for hours on its own. You should be aware of various things by watching along with the times, such as "Until the 16th century, hemispherical smooth cuts (cabochon cuts) were the mainstream."

Chapter 3 Gem Characteristics and Diversity

In "Chapter 3 Characteristics and Diversity of Gemstones", rough (raw stone) and loose (polishing) are explained while scientifically explaining the characteristics that are the value standards of gemstones such as "brilliance", "glitter", "color" and "strength". Introducing more than 200 kinds of gems at once, centering on stones).

You can learn about the characteristics and variety of each gem, from the four major gems of diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald to rare stones such as phosphophyllite, and biological gems such as pearls and corals. ..

At the exhibition, I was surprised at the surprising abundance of color variations of garnet with a red image, but it seems that garnet is actually a group name rather than a single mineral species. The difference in color is also related to the difference in mineral species.

Tourmaline, which is also a group name, is not only bicolor (2 colors) and tricolor (3 colors), which have different colors depending on the part of one crystal, but also pleochroism and light source, which have different colors depending on the viewing direction. A jewel that is fun to look at and may have discoloration that changes color depending on the color.

I also found a rough opal with a psychedelic and cool visual. Ruth had an elegant impression and was attracted to the gap. It is the real pleasure of this exhibition that you can see the difference between the impressions of rough and loose as well as opal with your own eyes.

What you should check in Chapter 3 is the "Jewel that glows with ultraviolet rays (fluorescence)" corner. In a small dark room, you can enjoy the co-starring of fantastic light emitted by various stones, including fluorite (fluorite), which is typical of fluorescent materials. The dark brown amber glows light blue, while the ruby has a stronger red color, which makes it exciting.

There is also a "Japanese jewel" corner. I knew that Japanese gems could be pearls and jade, but you can also find topaz, garnet, rubies, sapphires, amethyst, and road crosite. I heard many voices of visitors who were surprised at the variety of types.

The one that had an impact was the "Giant Jewels" corner. At the exhibition, which is the largest collection of 20 kinds of gemstones, the largest rock crystal is "21290.00ct", which is a carat number that I have never seen or heard, and I laughed unintentionally. I don't think I can lift it with both hands … With such a large size, I am grateful that I can firmly recognize the beauty of fine cuts.

Chapter 4 Jewelery Techniques

Beautifully shining loose becomes jewelry for the first time when it is housed in a precious metal bezel (pedestal) such as gold or platinum, which also plays a role of enhancing the loose while shining on its own.

In "Chapter 4 Jewelery Techniques", we focus on jewelry setting (tailoring) techniques. To show that excellent settings add more value to jewelery, the artistic design gems of the high jewelery maison "Van Cleef & Arpels", which has its head office in Paris, and the jewelery brand "Gimmel" from Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture. Introducing many.

Especially eye-catching in terms of setting is Van Cleef & Arpels's "Grape Leaf Clip", a work using rubies and diamonds. Do you see that you can't see the precious metal that holds the fine rubies in a mosaic style?

It is said that the "mystery set", a patented technology of the same brand that fixes the claws and protrusions that support the loose so that they cannot be seen from the outside, is used for this. There was only technology that required extremely high expertise, and no matter how much I looked around, I couldn't understand how the stones were set … It is a wonderful design that you can enjoy the harmony of the pure colors of ruby.

Chapter 5 The Extreme of Jewels

In ancient times, it was processed into rings and pendants as a talisman and amulet, and in the era of the Renaissance, which transitioned from the Middle Ages to the early modern period, it became a brooch or necklace that was easily noticed by people as a symbol of the "pride" and power of the royal aristocrats. A jewel that has been tailored.

It is said that jewels that existed only for a limited number of people, changing their roles depending on the times, have been handed down as historical works of art and cultural properties that transcend the boundaries of ornaments.

In "Chapter 5 Jewelery Extremities", about 60 selected works of art are exhibited, from the Albion Art Collection, a global jewelry collection, to works made in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, to 20th century jewelery. You can appreciate the history of supreme beauty that is a fusion of nature and culture.

What caught my eye was the chest decoration that Alphonse Mucha, a painter who was very popular with Japanese people, co-produced with Georges Bouquet, who aspired to revolutionize jewelry. This work is said to be a monumental work at the height of Art Nouveau, but it has a romantic design such as a flower pattern surrounding a maiden statue reminiscent of a muse, an arrow reminiscent of Cupid, and a pearl connected by a chain. It's very adorable.

At the second venue, which is the last of this exhibition, the top three works of the "JJA Jewelry Design Award", a competition aimed at developing Japanese jewelry and disseminating the talents of creators and craftsmen, are on display. The line of sight is glued to the design.

Among them, "Twinkle ~ Memories of the Stars ~" by Mr. Yasushi Uekubo, who won the Grand Prix, is the most fascinating piece of jewelry that I personally exhibited. This work is based on the meteor shower that the creator saw as a child, and uses diamonds, platinum, white gold, and yellow gold to express the twinkling of star shadows shining in the night sky and the trajectory and afterglow of the brilliance left by the meteors. It seems to be. A necklace with a very unique yet sophisticated elegance.

When I was very satisfied with the antique jewelry full of gems that remain in the history of beauty, I was presented with a brilliant masterpiece that said, "Modern designers are not defeated!" It was a unique exhibition.

In this exhibition, the characters from "Nanatsuya Shinobu no Jewel Box" serialized in "Kiss" (Kodansha) by manga artist Tomoko Ninomiya will show you around the venue, as well as illustrations drawn at the second venue. Also on display are three works drawn by a colored pencil writer, Mr. Neko wearing boots, so fans shouldn't miss it.

Ritsuro Miyawaki of the National Museum of Nature and Science said in the PR of this exhibition as follows.
“The most important thing to see in the museum exhibition is the“ real thing ”. I don't have many chances to see the real thing, but this venue collects and concentrates them. Come to the venue and see the real thing. Please find your favorite stone. "

This exhibition, which is full of dazzling brilliance, made me feel "I want you to see the real thing, not photos and videos!" While learning the reasons for the beauty of gemstones, please take a look at the history of beauty that humankind has accumulated.

Outline of the special exhibition "Jewelry of the Earth"

Legislative session	February 19th (Sat) -June 19th (Sun), 2022 * The session is subject to change.
venue	National Science Museum Earth Pavilion B1F Special Exhibition Room
Opening hours	9:00 to 17:00 (admission is until 16:30)
closing day	Monday (closed on the following Tuesday if it is a national holiday) * However, it will be open on March 28th, May 2nd, and June 13th.
Admission (tax included)	General / university students 2,000 yen, elementary / middle / high school students 600 yen * Reservation required by date and time * Please check the official website of the exhibition for details.
Organizer	National Museum of Nature and Science, TBS, Yomiuri Shimbun
inquiry	050-5541-8600 (Hello dial)
Exhibition official website	https://hoseki-ten.jp

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