Rieko Omura: Architectural Exhibitions Bridging Time and Space

2021/10/22

Hijiribashi Bridge in Ochanomizu is a popular spot where the intersection of three railway lines makes for a photogenic scene. It is a reconstruction bridge completed in 1927, designed by Mamoru Yamada, a member of Japan's first architectural movement, the Bunriha Architectural Association. In the "Bunriha Architectural Association 100 Years" exhibition, Hijiribashi was introduced through a photograph featuring a bright red new Marunouchi Line train. Drawings precisely rendered in traditional shaku-sun units on tracing cloth reveal that the parabolic arches—seemingly a manifestation of the most advanced mechanics of the time—were actually sculptural expressions utilizing the plasticity of concrete. Architectural exhibitions bring together various elements, from photographs and drawings to artworks, to approach the essence of architecture.

On the other hand, an exhibition of the modern Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen this past summer was affected by the pandemic, leading to the difficult decision that some exhibited works would inevitably have to be reproductions. Furthermore, curators (couriers) who usually accompany the transport of artworks could not fly, so a method called "virtual couriering" was adopted via web conferencing. The venue was designed by an architect with the image of Finland's white lakes in mind. Through contemporary art exhibitions at the Watari Museum of Contemporary Art, where I worked immediately after graduation, I learned firsthand the value of sharing beauty that can only exist in a specific place.

In the 2018 "Architecture and Spaces for Children" exhibition, we introduced everything from famous school and kindergarten buildings by renowned architects to small structures like "adventure playgrounds" from a broad perspective of urban planning and nurturing the next generation.

The Panasonic Shiodome Museum of Art collects works by the modern French painter Georges Rouault and takes pride in being an orthodox, albeit small, institution. The scope of our collection is likely to continue expanding.

There is a saying about "reading between the lines" or seeing through to the core. For a curator, it is vital to have a good eye—one that can constantly observe, be moved, and sublimate those experiences. The role of an architectural exhibition is not limited to introducing buildings or presenting ways to view them. It is where excellent works and the intentions of their creators overlap to become design for people. Architectural exhibitions convey the relationship between people, society, and beauty. A great authority on architectural history once told me, "Continue to communicate the interest and depth of art, including architecture. Precisely because the world is a difficult place to live, people seek the meaning of life, the meaning of connection, and reasons to accept the unreasonable. There must be something that art can do."

As I continue my work, I am blessed with opportunities to exchange information and build connections to revitalize architectural exhibitions. With everyone's cooperation, I hope to continue making the museum a vibrant place.