Together in One Space: Toshikatsu Endo and Hiroshi Sugimoto.
Hara Museum ARC, Gunma
Spring is upon us at Hara Museum ARC and the cherry trees are on the verge of blossoming. The spirit of the new season is clearly reflected in the two exhibitions currently on view: Joyous Journeys–Selections from the Hara Museum Collection (in the contemporary art galleries) and Silent Radiance–Selections from the Hara Rokuro Collection (in the Kankai Pavilion). Today, we take a look at two masterworks of contemporary art which have been brought together in same space.
Front: Toshikatsu Endo, Lotus,1989 ; Rear: Hiroshi Sugimoto, Hall of Thirty-Three Bays, 1995 (set of 48 prints)
Tokikatsu Endo, Lotus
Gallery A is noted for its four large pillars that support the building’s rectangular pyramid-shaped roof, as well as the natural light that gently filters in from the skylight. In the middle of the gallery is a massive work called Lotus by Toshikatsu Endo.
The work projects a powerful presence with its charred surface and large circular form. A look at the inner circle reveals it to be layered with steel and brimming with water. What can it all mean?
Hiroshi Sugimoto, Hall of Thirty-Three Bays
Displayed in a line that wraps around the gallery, these photos were taken of the one thousand statues that comprise the Thousand Armed Kannon at Sanjusangendo Temple in Kyoto, each taken at a slightly different angle, as they would look in real life. They were taken over the course of a week, during the early morning hour when golden sunlight streams in. You may feel transported into another dimension as you gaze upon the many-armed Buddhas, captured in that single glowing instant.
These two works of art infuse the gallery with a sense of mystery, making it feel like a temple. Please come and bathe in this feeling, and the special glow that emanates from the works.
Another show that should not be missed is the solo exhibition by Hiroshi Sugimoto, currently on view at the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo.
◇Hiroshi Sugimoto: From Naked to Clothed
March 31 (Saturday) – July 1 (Sunday), 2012
Hara Museum of Contemporary Art
Spring Exhibitions at Hara Museum ARC
◇Joyous Journeys – Selections from the Hara Museum Collection
Saturday, March 17 – Sunday, June 24, 2012 Galleries A, B and C
◇Silent Radiance-Selections from the Hara Rokuro Collection
Part I: Saturday, March 17 – Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Part II: Friday, April 27 – Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Kankai Pavilion
Place: Hara Museum ARC (2855-1, Kanai, Shibukawa-shi, Gunma 377-0027)
Tel: 0279-24-6585
Organized by: Hara Museum of Contemporary Art
Hours: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm *Last entry 30 minutes before closing
Closed: Thursdays (except May 3)
*Closed temporarily in the event of severe weather.
Admission: General (over 12) 1,000 yen; Children (over 3) 500 yen; 10%
discount for a group of 20 or more.
**Children must be accompanied by an adult
***Combination ticket for Hara Museum ARC and Ikaho Green Bokujo ranch: General 1,800 yen; Children 900 yen (except April 29, May 3 – 6)
Hara Museum ARC is now participating in MuPon (museum discount ticket system
using iPhone application)!
http://www.haramuseum.or.jp (museum website)
http://mobile.haramuseum.or.jp (mobile site)
Follow the Hara Museum and Hara Museum ARC on Twitter and get the latest news:
http://twitter.com/HaraMuseumARC（@HaraMuseumARC）
http://twitter.com/haramuseum (@haramuseum）
Getting There
By train: Take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Takasaki, change to
the Joestu Line, and disembark at Shibukawa. From Shibukawa, ARC is 10
minutes away by taxi or 15 minutes by bus (take the Ikaho Onsen bus to ″
Green Bokujo Mae″). By car: 8 kilometers (about 15 minutes) from the
Kan-etsu Expressway Shibukawa Ikaho Interchange (in the direction of Ikaho
Onsen).
By Train
◇By JR Joetsu・Nagano Shinkansen
Recommended timetable
・8:04 Depart Tokyo Station→9:05Arrive at Takasaki Station/ 9:17 Depart
Takasaki Station→9:42Arrive at Shibukawa Station
・11:44 Depart Tokyo Station→12:33Arrive at Takasaki Station/ 12:50 Depart
Takasaki Station→13:14 Arrive at Shibukawa Station
・12:24 Depart Tokyo Station→13:14 Arrive at Takasaki Station/ 13:31 Depart
Takasaki Station→13:58Arrive at Shibukawa Station
◇By JR Joetsu Limited Express Kusatsu
・9:00 Depart Ueno Station→10:39Arrive at Shibukawa Station
(No.3; operates only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
・10:00 Depart Ueno Station→11:44 Arrive at Shibukawa Station (No.1)
・12:00 Depart Ueno Station→13:42 Arrive at Shibukawa Station (No. 3)
From Shibukawa Station, take the Kan-etsu Kotsu Bus and get off at the
station “Green Bokujo Mae.”
http://www.kan-etsu.net/r-bus/timetable/shibu-ikaho-1.htm (in Japanese
only). ARC is about 7 minute walk from the bus station.
By Car
Take the Kan-etsu Expressway to Shibukawa Ikaho Interchange. Go in the
direction of Ikaho Onsen for 8 km (about 15 min.) .
Highway information:
E-NEXCO Drive Plaza http://www.driveplaza.com/ (in Japanese only)
Express Bus (Shinjuku-Ikaho)
Jyosyu Yumeguri Go
Persons who use Shinjuku or Nerima stations will find this express bus very convenient.