Unexpectedly spending a holiday in Osaka, I set out on a museum hop near my accommodation in Nakanoshima.
First stop: The National Museum of Art, Osaka.
The large roof, constructed of metal pipes and glass, is striking. It resembles a great wave, a ship sailing the sea, or perhaps the ship’s unfurled sail.
Beneath this roof, the museum building extends downward into the underground. While the outside heat was intense, the cool, comfortable temperature inside felt revitalizing.
Let’s include the official link too.
The collection and exhibitions focus primarily on post-World War II modern art. Luckily, the permanent exhibition on the first basement floor was open for free that day. That’s not always the case, right?
Mark Manders’ “Head of Dry Earth” catches the eye in the background.
It has a strong presence whether viewed from afar or up close.
This piece is said to be an authentic work, but it’s causing controversy because the exhibition is a simplified version that doesn’t reflect the artist’s intent. Unaware of these circumstances, I found it thoroughly worth seeing.
Photographing artworks is incredibly difficult for amateurs, so I won’t make the mistake of zooming in on individual pieces any further. I hope my snapshots at least convey a little of the gallery’s atmosphere.
If I had to name pieces that particularly stuck with me personally, they’d be Max Ernst’s “Grey Forest,” Kazuo Shiraga’s “White Work,” and Yoko Ono’s “Forget It.”
It was truly humbling and deeply appreciated to be able to view this permanent exhibition for free. Contemporary art can be difficult and hard to grasp, but I like how, even when I don’t understand it, it gradually sinks in and has this “slow-burning effect” on me.
And so, after recharging my energy at the National Museum of Art, Osaka, I headed straight to the neighboring Nakanoshima Museum of Art. More on that next time.
