About the Exhibition

Seven Features of the Exhibition

• The exhibition will consist of work by seven groups of architects.
• All of the architects will show completely new installations.
• Photography (with some conditions) will be allowed in the exhibition.
• The exhibition will be held exclusively at The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.
• Dance performances are scheduled to be held in the museum during the exhibition.
• The catalogue, flier, and poster for the exhibition will be designed by Nakajima Hideki, with photographs by Ano Daici.
• A special website, providing up-to-date information about the architects’ installations, is created by spfdesign Inc. (Kamada Takashi).

Where is Architecture? Take photographs of your answer!

Photographing is allowed in this exhibition under the following conditions:

No tripod is allowed.
No flash is allowed.
Don’t touch any of the exhibits.
No video shooting is allowed.
Take photographs without disturbing other visitors.

• Please note that publication of any photographs showing any other visitors may infringe on the portrait rights of such
  visitors. Use the photographs on your own responsibility.
• Different conditions are given for photographing in the collection exhibition galleries. Please ask at the reception on the
  first floor.

Conditions on the use of the photographs taken at the exhibition:

• No commercial use of the photographs of the exhibits is permitted.
• No modification to the photographs of the exhibits is permitted.
• Please show following information when you use the photographs of the exhibits in a blog or a photo-sharing service:
  • Architect name / exhibit title / Where is Architecture? Seven Installations by Japanese Architects / The National Museumof Modern Art, Tokyo

Where was Architecture? Please share your answer!

Please share your photographs in the official page of Where is Architecture? exhibition at Flickr, an image hosting website.

Outline of the Exhibition

This exhibition of architecture consists entirely of new installations by seven groups of Japanese architects, representing a variety of ages and styles.

To create “architecture,” architects are expected to deal with a variety of conditions. This requires a way of thinking that deftly balances logic, technique, and aesthetics. One might also argue that this profound sense of balance is what has led to the international recognition of Japanese architecture. In trying to determine the special characteristics of “architecture,” therefore, examining where and in what form it arises seems more viable than simply addressing the question, “What is architecture?”

In this wide-ranging group of installations, including a space created out of three types of polyhedrons, a place where a “space” is “born and dies,” a summer house that resembles an animal, a video space that presents a day in the life of an architectural model, a fragile structure, and a field with a fantastic sense of scale, we invite the viewer to search for the architecture.
Please visit our special wesbite !

A special website provides up-to-date information about the architects’ installations, created by spfdesign Inc. (Kamada Takashi).

About Artists

ITO Toyo (b. 1941- )

The spatial structure that Ito Toyo proposed for the New Deichmann Main Library Competition in Oslo, Norway in 2009 is a dynamic work that makes use of three types of polyhedrons to fill and develop the entire space. Ito’s installation in this exhibition will make use of this system. And with a “wandering” display of the architect’s recent projects, such as Za-Koenji, the Taichung Metropolitan Opera House, and the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, the act of viewing is sure to take on a whole new air.

Biography

Born in 1941. 1965 Graduated from The University of Tokyo, Department of Architecture. Worked at Kiyonori Kikutake Architects and Associates. 1971 Started his own studio, Urban Robot (URBOT) in Tokyo. 1979 Changed its name to Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects. 2005- Commissioner of Kumamoto Artpolis (KAP).

SUZUKI Ryoji (b. 1944- )

In this installation, Suzuki is scheduled to unveil a huge model of “Experience in Material No.50,” a residence that is nearing completion, which will be altered using the “dub” (amplification and distortion) process.

Biography

Born in 1944. 1968 Graduated from Waseda University, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Science and Engineering. 1968-73 Worked at Takenaka Corporation and Maki & Associates. 1977 Achieved Master of Engineering, Department of Architecture, Waseda University. 1970 Established “fromnow”. 1982 Renamed to Ryoji Suzuki Architect and Partners. 1997- Professor of Waseda University. 2004- Principal of Art and Architecture School of Waseda University.

NAITO Hiroshi (1950- )

Naito’s work in this exhibition will consist of approximately 200 red lasers. Though immaterial, when someone enters the “space,” it will take on a realistic aspect in this promisingly fantastic work. Moreover, taking inspiration from the work, JunJun SCIENCE and Umeda Hiroaki are scheduled to dance several times inside the installation during the exhibition period.

Biography

Born in 1950. 1976 Graduated from Graduate School of Waseda University, Master of Architecture. 1976-78 Worked at Architectural Office of Fernand Higueras. 1979-81 Worked at Kiyonori Kikutake Architects and Associates. 1981 Established Naito Architect & Associates. 2001-02 Associate Professor of School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo. 2003- Professor of School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo.

Atelier Bow-Wow (TSUKAMOTO Yoshiharu, b.1965 and KAIJIMA Momoyo, b. 1969)

Atelier Bow-Wow has participated in exhibitions all over the world. All of these works were created according to the “micro public space” concept. For this exhibition, the architects will produce an installation for the museum’s front lawn titled “Rendez-vous.” The work will make use of an animal motif, bamboo as a material, and will function as a summer house. Though the space in front of the museum has always been confusing — Is it an outdoor display of sculpture? Is it okay to go inside it? —, as the entire area will be redesigned through this installation, a variety of spontaneous acts are anticipated.

Biography

Atelier Bow-Wow: Established by Tsukamoto Yoshiharu and Kaijima Momoyo in 1992.

TSUKAMOTO Yoshiharu: Born in 1965. 1987 Graduated from Tokyo Institute of Technology. 1987-88 Guest Student of L’ecole d’architecture, Paris, Bellville (U.P.8). 1994 Graduated from Post-graduate school of Tokyo Institute of Technology, Doctor of Engineering. 2000- Associate Professor of Tokyo Institute of Technology. 2003, 2007 Visiting Faculty of Harvard GSD. 2007, 2008 Visiting Associate Professor of UCLA.

KAIJIMA Momoyo: Born in 1969. 1991 Graduated from Japan Women’s University. 1994 Graduated from Graduate school of Tokyo Institute of Technology, Master of Engineering. 1996-97 Guest student of ETHZ. 2000 Graduated from Post-graduate school of Tokyo Institute of Technology, Doctor of Engineering. 2000- Assistant professor of University of Tsukuba. 2003 Visiting Faculty of Harvard GSD. 2005-07 ETHZ Guest Professor. 2009- Associate professor of University of Tsukuba.

KIKUCHI Hiroshi (1972- )

Kikuchi Hiroshi’s installation will link a tiny model with the actual space by means of a video work. Visitors will be able to experience a day inside the model in the actual space of this unique work.

Biography

Born in 1972. 1998 Completed the Master course, Tokyo University of Science. 1998-99 Worked at Kazuyo Sejima & Associates. 2000-04 Worked at Herzog & de Meuron Architekten. 2004 Established Hiroshi Kikuchi Architects. 2010- Associate professor of Musashino Art University.

NAKAMURA Ryuji (1972- )

After stacking up some corrugated panels, creating a beehive-like form, and boring holes in the resultant truss-like structure, an exterior will be added to the entire work, which will allow the viewer to verify how they “see.” Then, by applying the “hechima” concept, Nakamura plans to create a huge “structure-like object,” which though hollow and fragile, will be huge. How will the object make us feel? Not only will the structure be interesting, but the fact that our senses will be affected by the work is sure to be interesting.

Biography

Born in 1972. 1999 Completed the Master Course in Architecture and Planning, Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. 2000-2003 Worked at Jun Aoki & Associates. 2004 Established Ryuji Nakamura Architects.

NAKAYAMA Hideyuki (1972- )

Nakayama’s installation will be based on “Door on the Prairie,” a proposal the architect submitted for the “Tea House Competition. ” How would a “large door” look if it was reduced to a third of its original size? And what sort of sensation will we have when we look at it? The viewer will experience the gentle rewriting of the relationship between space and body.

Biography

Born in 1972. 2000 Completed the Master Course in Architecture and Planning, Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. 2000-07 Worked at Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects. 2007 Established Hideyuki Nakayama Architecture.

Events

Lecture

KIKUCHI Hiroshi

Date

2010.5.29(Sat)

Time

14:00-15:30

NAKAYAMA Hideyuki

Date

2010.6.5(Sat)

Time

14:00-15:30

Atelier Bow-Wow

Date

2010.6.12(Sat)

Time

14:00-15:30

ITO Toyo

Date

2010.7.3(Sat)

Time

14:00-15:30

SUZUKI Ryoji

Date

2010.7.17(Sat)

Time

14:00-15:30

NAKAMURA Ryuji

Date

2010.7.24(Sat)

Time

14:00-15:30

NAITO Hiroshi

Date

2010.7.31(Sat)

Time

14:00-15:30

*Offered only in Japanese.
*Admission free.
*No reservation required.
*Numbered ticket required, which will be available free from 10:00 AM.

The following dance performances will be played inside Naito Hiroshi’s installation.

JunJun SCIENCE

Date

2010.6.4(Fri)

Time

18:00-18:15 / 19:00-19:15

JunJun SCIENCE

Date

2010.6.13(Sun)

Time

15:00-15:15 / 16:00-16:15

JunJun SCIENCE

Date

2010.6.18(Fri)

Time

18:00-18:15 / 19:00-19:15

UMEDA Hiroaki

Date

2010.7.9(Fri)

Time

18:00-18:15 / 19:00-19:15

UMEDA Hiroaki

Date

2010.7.10(Sat)

Time

15:00-15:15 / 16:00-16:15

UMEDA Hiroaki

Date

2010.7.11(Sun)

Time

15:00-15:15 / 16:00-16:15

JunJun SCIENCE

Date

2010.7.23(Fri)

Time

18:00-18:15 / 19:00-19:15

JunJun SCIENCE

Date

2010.7.25(Sun)

Time

15:00-15:15 / 16:00-16:15

Location: Special Exhibition Gallery (1F)

*Free program.
*Ticket for this exhibition is required.
*No reservation required.
*Admission may be limited by available space.

Special dance performance in Akajima (Red Stripes)
JunJun SCIENCE and YAMANAKA Toru (musician)

*Ticket for this event is required.

Date

2010.7.31(Sat)

Time

18:00-20:00

Location

Special Exhibition Gallery (1F)

Ticket

Advance ticket: ¥1000
Day ticket: ¥1200

• 19:40-20:00 After Talk by Naito Hiroshi, JunJun SCIENCE and Yamanaka Toru
• 18:00 Open
  • Gallery Tour guided by the curator is offered
  • Available to appreciate the exhibition “Where is Architecture?”
• 19:00-19:30 Special dance performance

Tickets are on sale at the Museum ticket office (during museum hours, 30 minutes before closing hour) and e-Ticket:

• An Creative Inc.   tel: 03-5458-0548 (Mon.-Fri. 11:00-18:00)
• e+   http://eplus.jp/
• JCDN Dance Reserve   http://dance.jcdn.org/

Inquiries on this event:
An Creative Inc.   tel: 03-5458-0548 (Mon.-Fri. 11:00-18:00)

Gallery Talk by Curator

Date

2010.5.21(Fri)

Time

18:00-19:00

Date

2010.6.19(Sat)

Time

14:00-15:00

Location: Special Exhibition Gallery (1F)

*Offered only in Japanese.
*Free program.
*Ticket for this exhibition is required.
*No reservation required.

Hours & Admissions

Location

Art Museum Special Exhibition Gallery (1F)

Date

2010.4.29(Thu)-8.8(Sun)

Time

10:00 – 17:00
※Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

Closed

Closed on Mondays (except May 3 and July 19), May 6 and July 20, 2010

Admission

Adults: ¥850 (600)
College and university students: ¥450 (250)

*Including the admission fee for On Bathing and Permanent Collection.
*The price in brackets is for the group of 20 persons or more.
*All prices include tax.

*Free for high school students and under 18.
*Persons with disability and one person accompanying them are admitted free of charge.

Organizer

The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo

Cooperation

DAIKO ELECTRIC CO.,LTD., East Five, FUJINO LANDSCAPE PLANNING, Hokuetsu Kishu Paper Co.,Ltd., inter.office | hhstyle.com, JAPAN OPTO-ELECTRONICS, Kaijima Laboratory (University of Tsukuba), Matou Structural Engineers, neu furniture works, ochiai-seisakusyo Co.,Ltd., Tahara Steel Co.,Ltd., Tsukamoto Laboratory (Tokyo Institute of Technology), UNION CORPORATION