The National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo Honors Taro Okamoto on the 100th Anniversary of His Birth

Written by Miyamoto Yamamoto Tuesday, 20 March 2012 21:10

Tokyo.- The National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo presents an exhibition of works by Taro Okamoto on the 100th anniversary of his birth until May 8th 2011. Taro Okamoto (1911-1996) is probably one of the most well-known artists in Japan during the latter half of the 20th century. He created the 'Tower of the Sun' for Expo ’70 held in Osaka, made comments full of impact such as “Art is explosion” and "Art is magic", and frequently appeared on television. Even after his death in 1996, more and more people, especially the young generation, are showing renewed interest in the artist. In 1998, the studio he worked in during his lifetime was opened to the public as the Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum. Topics concerning Okamoto never cease to attract our attention. Furthermore, in recent years, his monumental mural Tomorrow’s Mythology was rediscovered in Mexico and installed in Shibuya in 2008.

Amidst the posthumous reevaluation of this artist, on the one hand, his positive energy is emphasized. However, on the other hand, the fact that he poignantly said “No” to a variety of existing values and occasionally bewildered the people around him seems to be on the verge of being forgotten. In order to re-appreciate Okamoto, we should not be satisfied simply by taking in his vitality with a passive attitude. Isn’t it necessary to confront the arrows of criticism he shot head-on as arrows aimed at ourselves? Okamoto Taro’s life was indeed a sequence of “confrontations.” With “confrontation” as the keyword, in this exhibition, the opponents he confronted are divided into seven chapters. Approximately 130 works including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and designs produced through tough struggle are introduced. They will provide an opportunity for viewers to consider how we should interpret his “confrontations” today.





As far back as the beginning of the Meiji period, there was a movement demanding the establishment of a museum to permanently display contemporary art. Although the petition was taken up several times in parliament, a national facility for the permanent display of modern art was never realized until the opening of this Museum. In 1952, the government purchased the premises of the former headquarters of Nikkatsu Corporation in Kyobashi, Chuo-ku. In June that year, The National Museum of Modern Art was established as an institution governed by the Ministry of Education. The architect Kunio Maekawa directed the refurbishment and the Museum was opened that December. On two later occasions, neighbouring premises were purchased and the Museum was further enlarged and reformed. Due to the growth of the museum collection and the expansion of special exhibitions, the display of works gradually became restricted. Just when the Museum was considering possibilities of moving, Mr.Shojiro Ishibashi,who was a trustee from the founding of the Museum, offered to donate a new building.





Thanks to this donation, it was decided that a new wing would be constructed in Kitanomaru Koen. The new building was designed by Yoshiro Taniguchi and opened in June 1969. After 30 years since moving to the present building, it became necessary to update the facilities to meet social demand. For two and a half years from July 1999, the Museum was closed and underwent large-scale extension and renovation designed by Sakakura Associates. The exhibition galleries were enlarged, a library allowing access to the public, a restaurant and museum shop were newly established, and lounge space was increased. In addition to improving the environment for viewing the works of art,construction work to make the building more earthquake-proof was carried out. The renovation work was completed in August 2001 and, in January 2002, an exhibition entitled 'The Unfinished Century: Legacies of 20th Century Art' was held to commemorate the renewal and restart of activities anew. After the devastating earthquake of March 11th, the museum is operating as normally as possible and there are collection boxes for the victims in the lobby. Visit the museum's website at ... http://www.momat.go.jp

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