On Saturday, April 4, 2015 - an unseasonably chilly and unfortunately overcast day - a tour of public art around the Metropolis was held exclusively for members of the Mori Art Museum Membership Program, MAMC.
With commentary courtesy of Mori Art Museum Director Nanjo Fumio, the circuit took in five public art spots in central Tokyo - Shinjuku i-land, Shiodome City Center, Iino Building, Kasumigaseki Building and Toronomon Hills - and viewed more than 20 pieces of public art including works by Carsten Nicolai and Nishikawa Katsuhito, both of whom are showing in the "Simple Forms" exhibition currently underway at the Mori Art Museum, and Odani Motohiko, whose work was featured in the solo exhibition "Phantom Limb" held previously at the Mori.
The tour kicked off at Shinjuku i-land.
Just what are tour members craning their necks to see? @Shinjuku i-land
Viewing public art in a tour format brought to light various conceptual approaches ranging from art conceived at the initial planning stages of an area development project to works installed after the building was complete.
Hirata Goro's To See the Sky @Iino Building
The genuine interest with which Nanjo addresses members' incisive questions tells us something about the atmosphere unique to MAMC special tours.
Carsten Nicolai's poly stella @Kasumigaseki Building
The tour ended at Toronomon Hills. After viewing the five works sited there, members headed for the Toronomon Hills Cafe - just in front of Jaume Plensa's Roots - to fraternize.
Toranomon Hills Cafe
After a Q&A session, members learned a bit about the exhibitions slated for 2015 at the Mori, and new membership benefits, but they also enjoyed the time spent thereafter chatting with one another, so the event clearly provided an opportunity for members to socialize.
Nanjo Fumio (Director, Mori Art Museum) responds to members' questions.
MAMC members enjoying the conversation.
Before the gathering broke up, members expressed some of the things they hoped to see and do at future events, which were duly noted!
Do stay tuned, and thanks to everyone who participated for withstanding the cold and making it an enriching day for all.
A commemorative photo taken in front of Jaume Plensa's Roots @Toranomon Hills
Text: Imamura Akiko (Marketing Group, Mori Art Museum)
Photo: Mikuriya Shinichiro
■Relevant information
・Mori Art Museum
Simple Forms: Contemplating Beauty
MAM Collection 001: Two Asian Maps - Ozawa Tsuyoshi + Shitamichi Motoyuki
MAM Screen 001: Early Video Works by Bill Viola
MAM Research 001: Great Crescent, Art and Agitation in the 1960s - Japan, South Korea, Taiwan
April 25, 2015 - July 5, 2015
・MAMC members-only event
"Yokohama Triennale 2014 Special Tour" Photo Report
・MAMC members-only event: MAMC Night Photo Report
Special Gallery Tour of "Lee Mingwei and His Relations" with Miyatsu Daisuke & Kataoka Mami
