Yokohama Museum of Art: Experience the "Breath of the Avant-Garde" in its Permanent Exhibition

Yokohama Museum of Art: "The Breath of the Avant-Garde" at the Permanent Exhibition

"Hear the pulse of the times before a painting."

A three-minute walk from Minatomirai Station, the Yokohama Museum of Art, with its impressive open glass facade and grand staircase, boasts an extensive collection of Japanese modern and contemporary art.

In this permanent exhibition, I encountered artists who represent Japanese avant-garde art from the postwar period to the present day.

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🎨 Memorable Works

Kazuo Shiraga

Action painting is performed by artists who place their feet directly on the canvas and paint using their entire body. Standing before you, the splashes and thickness of the paint loom more as "traces of movement" than as "painting." The torrent of color that spreads from floor to ceiling awakens the viewer's physical senses.

Atsuko Tanaka

The "Electric Suit" and "Work" series are composed of vibrant circles and straight lines. The motifs of electric wires and lights are futuristic, yet the warm colors are striking. The intersection of technology and the body, of everyday life and art, is a delight.

Mono-ha (Nobuo Sekine et al.)

Stone, iron, paper, wood... By arranging natural and artificial materials in their natural state, the materials themselves are brought to life. The tension in the air changes the moment you step into the exhibition room.

Although the pieces seem merely "placed," it feels as though the entire space is a work of art.

Natsuyuki Nakanishi

Known for his unique abstract expressionism, Nakanishi combines different materials and three-dimensional elements on the surface of his paintings, stimulating not only the visual sense but also the tactile sense. As you approach, subtle layers of color and texture emerge, making for works you'll want to linger in.

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🏛 Viewing Tips
• View Kazuo Shiraga's work from a distance, then get closer and observe the brushstrokes (footprints) and the thickness of the paint.
• Attention to the color composition and line movement of Atsuko Tanaka's work will help you understand its rhythm.
• Walk through the entire space of Mono-ha art while imagining the temperature and weight of the materials.
• Viewing Natsuyuki Nakanishi's work from different angles and distances will reveal different expressions.

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🎒 Recommended Items to Bring
• Sketchbook or notepad: Record your impressions and composition on the spot.
• Light jacket: The exhibition room is slightly cooler.
• Smartphone or camera (photography allowed in designated areas only): For composition reference.

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🚶 Combining with the surrounding area
• Enjoy lunch or a cafe at Queen's Square Yokohama or MARK IS Minatomirai before or after viewing.
• Enjoy the port city view from the Yokohama Landmark Tower Observatory.
• At night, we recommend heading to the Red Brick Warehouse for some nighttime photography.

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📌 Summary
The Yokohama Museum of Art's permanent exhibitions go beyond mere art appreciation; they allow you to experience the eras and physical sensations of the artists. Kazuo Shiraga's dynamism, Atsuko Tanaka's colors, the serenity of Mono-ha, and Natsuyuki Nakanishi's textures...each has its own unique rhythm, creating a truly rich experience that's too intense for a day.

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