Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art
I saw two exhibitions at this museum the other day.
1 Henri Cartier Bresson
2 Beauty of Japan / Rosanjin Kitaoji
Although they are recognized as masters, they also said something that was essentially important. However, what I was most interested in was the concept (name) of this museum.
The following text is borrowed from the website of this museum. This is the most important and necessary way of thinking for Japanese people. This is because many Japanese value their name and background more than what is essential. This is because we value bad works made by celebrities over great works made by anonymous people. In order for the Japanese to really mature, they have to overcome this barrier, which will be very difficult.
The 5th floor of the museum was also impressive.
Man is shackled by preconceived ideas, set theories.
In art, as in science, people’s minds have blinders–established theories–
which deprive them of liberty of thought.
Wishing to maintain my freedom to doubt,
I have named this museum the Kahitsukan,
to indicate that it and all things (Ka) might not really (hitsu) be as one is led to believe.
I only hope that somehow it will make an original contribution to beauty.
Yoshitomo Kajikawa
Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art , Director