We will display drawings and prints by the architects Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Le Corbusier, Michael Graves, Isozaki Arata, Ando Tadao, and Rokkaku Kijo. 
Since our opening, Toki-no-Wasuremono has introduced architects' drawings and prints. In Japan, it's standard to assume that architect = an engineer who plans architecture, but we believe a truly talented architect is an artist who designs human living space. Somebody who creates a space that stimulates the mind by simply being present; architects who are able to imagine such spaces, even if they're never physically realized, are those whose drawings we actively collect. At this exhibition we will present 2D works by such artists.

■Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928-2000)

Austrian architect. He rejected straight lines as being unnatural, and called upon a return to nature with his works made up curved and bent lines. You can see a respect for nature in the lively colors.

■Le Corbusier (1887-1965)

Born in La Chaux de Fonds in the Jura region of Switzerland. Real name, Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris. Often cited with Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe as one of the great master architects of the 20th century, he left behind many prints such as the lithograph collection, Poem of the Right Angle.

■Michael GRAVES (1934-2015)

Born in Indianapolis. A representative postmodern American architect. He was active in architecture and product design, and created many drawings and copperplate prints in his lifetime.

■Isozaki Arata (b. 1931)

Born in Osaka. Graduated Tokyo University in 1954. From early on, he was active not only as an architect but in the global fields of philosophy, arts, design, and film. As a critic and board member of architectural awards, he has been an important figure in the support of making the world's radical architects' imaginations into reality.

■Ando Tadao (b. 1941)

Architect and professor at Tokyo University. Born in Osaka. Self studied architecture, and established Ando Tadao Architectural Resarch Center in 1969. He began to create prints in 1984, and published "Ando Tadao Print Collection 1998" from Toki-no-Wasuremono. Ando architecture exhibitions have been held around the world including at the New York MoMA and the Paris Pompidou Center.

■Rokkaku Kijo (1941-2019)

Graduated Tokyo University of the Arts Architecture Department in 1965. After working at Isozaki Arata's atelier, established Kijo Rokkaku Architecture & Associates in 1969. Taught at his alma mater from 1991-2009. Won Architectural Institute of Japan Award for the Tokyo Budokan.

Essay by Koshima Yusuke - "Expanding the Field of Architecture"

　Architecture speaks to itself. In other words, spaces have their own silent voice. Therefore, it is very difficult for architects to express their philosophy in words, since their buildings already have lots to say. No matter what the architects write in a book, it is more convincing to simply visit their buildings and hear the voice from the space yourself.
　However, Tadao Ando easily overcomes this problem, as always. Not just by holding an exhibition, but he designed and,---a new wing just to show his own works. “Ando Gallery” was built as an extension onto his previously designed building, Hyogo Art Museum, completed in 2002. 
　I recently visited this brand new gallery and was surprised by how smoothly it blended into the existing space, even 17years after completion. It felt as if this new gallery space was already there from the very beginning.
　Ando was successful in expressing his philosophy through the silent voice of architecture, meaning that the beautiful hand-drawings and extraordinary models were given a great place to speak up, since the entire gallery is a work of Ando.
　What is outstanding about Ando’s work is the rich emptiness, a Zen based philosophy. In Japanese terms, we say “無（mu）”. Ando’s space contains this emptiness, which allows endless possibilities to live in. And the beauty of his space is created by the light. Ando’s work always provides perfection, and the natural light through the large windows embraces the shining concrete.
　Tadao Ando is not just a great architect, but also an amazing Artist. His contribution towards the field of art can be seen throughout his career. He has been continuously creating special drawings of buildings that he designed, turnning them into art pieces, and has making countless silkscreens and sketches. The only similar architect that comes to my mind is Arata Isozaki, who was awarded the Pritzker Prize this year. Isozaki has also renovated his designed museum into his gallery in O-ita.
　One thing that can be said for sure is that architects have many ways to express themselves. To make their own gallery inside their own building seems like a great idea. Ando and Isozaki have been leading the Japanese architectural culture for more than half a century. What is outstanding about their work is that their philosophy is always new and fresh, inspiring the next generations, and they work in order to expand the field of architecture. I have a long long road in front of me.
    (KY)

 

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