Director’s Message
The museum in human society is the stick insect of the ecosystem. That is because in first glance, there is no idea of what usefulness they have. A stick insect is my favorite insect, which feed on leaves, and mimics itself into a branch to hide from their enemies, but holds and role (in the ecosystem is called “niche”) by eating the leaves hastening the renewal of the forest.
A museum usually, might be thought as what benefit it has to the human society, yet it is not so. Contemporary art especially is created in a purpose of breaking down the preconceived ideas and present a new way of seeing things, with the viewers of the work discussing, and making a judgment from their own standard leads to the birth of “Active Citizenship”, not being shaken by the wrongs of the ones with power is the foundation of a society with peace. In short, a museum in human society longing for peace holds an important “niche” role. In order to play a part in that role, we, think about blending with the green nature of Karuizawa, hold exhibitions to break down the authoritarianism that the museum is likely to fall for by communicating with the viewers, and feel the true joy of contemporary art together.
Takao Tsutsumi
History
With the intention of the late Seiji Tsutsumi (Ex. President of the foundation) in 1981, the Sezon Museum of Modern Art determined its target to “Contemporary Art”, was established in the land of Karuizawa as an “Alive Museum” being the place of various experimental creation of that era, molting from the museum as the guardian = Successor of traditional values. The predesessor of the museum was the Takanawa Museum established in Takanawa/Tokyo in 1962, preserving and opening the traditional Japanese art collections of late Yasujiro Tsutsumi to the public. In 1991, celebrating its 10th year anniversary, indicating “Contemporary Art” to the museum name which is the purpose of establishment and action plan, made a new start by renaming the museum to Sezon Museum of Modern Art. The architectural design of the museum is by Kiyonori Kikutake, and the basic plan of the garden spreading out in front of the museum was done by Isamu Wakabayashi, with the museum collection of sculpture works are standing.