The Sezon Museum of Modern Art is honored to welcome the world-renowned architectural critic Aaron Betsky for a special event:
“DON’T BUILD, REBUILD” – Commemorative Lecture in Japan.

Aaron Betsky is an American architecture critic, curator, educator, and author, internationally recognized as one of the leading thinkers in the fields of architecture and design. His work explores the meaning of architecture beyond its physical construction, delving into broader cultural and social contexts.

Through his critical perspective, Betsky continually reexamines how architecture shapes—and is shaped by—society and culture. His emphasis on narrative and imagination has had a profound influence not only within the contemporary architectural world but also among those engaged with culture and society at large.

As a cultural event organized by the Sezon Museum of Modern Art—an institution housed in a museum building designed by architect Kikutake Kiyonori in Karuizawa—this special lecture marks a rare opportunity to hear from one of today’s foremost voices in architecture. We warmly invite you to join us for this exceptional occasion.

Lecture Overview

Date and Time:
Monday, June 23, 2025 — 18:00–19:30
(Doors open at 17:00)

• 18:00–19:20 Lecture by Aaron Betsky

• 19:20–19:45 Interview and dialogue with Norio Dan

• 19:50–20:30 Wine reception at the same venue

Venue:
Daikanyama Hillside Banquet (within Hillside Terrace)
29-1 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0033

This event has ended.

Organizer:
The Sezon Museum of Modern Art Foundation
Moderator: Norio Dan (Architect / Director, The Sezon Museum of Modern Art Foundation)

Aaron Betsky
(Currently resides in Philadelphia, USA)

• 1958 Born in Missouri, USA

• 1983 Graduated from the Yale School of Architecture

• 1995–2001 Curator of Architecture and Design, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

• 2001–2006 Director, Netherlands Architecture Institute

• 2006–2014 Director, Cincinnati Art Museum

• 2008 Director, 11th Venice International Architecture Biennale

• 2015–2022 President, School of Architecture at Taliesin

• 2020–2022 Professor and Dean, School of Architecture + Design, Virginia Tech

Moderator Profile

Norio Dan (Architect / Urban Planner)
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, in 1956.
Completed his Master’s Program at the Graduate School of the University of Tokyo, and later earned a Master of Architecture from the Yale School of Architecture, USA.

Notable works:
Sun Moon Lake Administration Building (Taiwan)
Terminal 1, Taoyuan International Airport (Taiwan)
Nihonbashi Muromachi East Redevelopment Project “COREDO Muromachi” (Tokyo)
HUGO BOSS Omotesando (Tokyo)

■ Lecture Overview

While the Sezon Museum of Modern Art is currently undergoing renovation in Karuizawa, we are hosting this cultural event during our temporary closure and inviting the distinguished American architectural critic Aaron Betsky. Through his recent book “DON’T BUILD, REBUILD”, Mr. Betsky will discuss emerging trends in architecture and urbanism that shift the focus from development to renewal. From the standpoint of contemporary art as well, reflecting on the paradigm shifts that will shape the world in the coming years is of great importance.
(The lecture will be delivered in English with consecutive Japanese interpretation.)

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■ How to Apply　This event has ended.

If you wish to attend, please apply by Friday, June 20, via the email address below.
Please include:

• Your name

• Your contact information (a phone number and email address where you can be reached on the day)

Email: ndaa@dan-n.co.jp (Dedicated email for Aaron Betsky Lecture Applications)

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■ Information on the Sezon Museum of Modern Art Reopening

Located within the forests of Karuizawa, the museum embraces the theme “Art Breathing”, presenting a space where art coexists with nature. We host both collection exhibitions of contemporary art from Japan and abroad, as well as special exhibitions featuring artists of our time.

The museum’s low-rise architecture—blending gently into the natural surroundings like a traditional sukiya-style building—was designed by Kikutake Kiyonori, one of Japan’s leading architects. The garden, conceived by Wakabayashi Isamu, offers a strolling-style layout where visitors can enjoy sculptures accompanied by the sound of flowing water. The distant view of Mt. Asama and the seasonal vegetation provide additional layers of beauty.

We are currently preparing for our renewal and reopening in the summer of 2026.

Address:
2140 Serigasawa, Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano 389-0111　Japan