A New Museum with Local Works of Art ”Akita Museum of Art”

2014.4.142019.4.23

Opened in 2013

Akita Museum of Art was opened in 2013 close to the center of Akita -City in the renovated area ”Area Nakaichi” as a symbol of the city. It opened in 2013 after collections were transferred from the former Akita Museum (Hirano Masayoshi Museum) which was adjacent to Chiaki Park, and also after a new building had been built.
Their main collections are from Akita businessman Masayoshi Hirano with focus on Tsuguharu Fujita (Leonard Foujita). Foujita is one of the most famous Japanese painters. Because Foujita and Masayoshi Hirano were friends, many of his paintings such as ”the Sleeping Woman” and ”5 Women” are displayed here.

Exhibition of Foujita’s Large Mural

There is a Foujita painting which is very specific to the Akita Museum of Art – ”Akita no Gyouji” (the events of Akita). It was painted after Foujita spent half a year researching ideas throughout Akita and thinking about the layout. The size is overwhelming, being 3.65 meters in height and 20.5 meters in width. It was completed in his client Masakichi Hirano’s rice warehouse, which he had set up as his private studio. This gigantic painting is displayed in the large Mural Gallery of the museum’s foyer.
Along with the Mural Gallery, there are other aspects of the museum to be enjoyed. The entrance hall has a spiral staircase with no pillars, and with a triangular wellhole, adding a totally different ambience to the building.

The Building itself is Art

The museum building was designed by Tadao Ando. And there are many unique features that symbolize his taste, one of them being the garden. It is on the second floor by the lounge where you have a full view of Chiaki Park. Beyond, you can see Kubota Castle of the Akita Satake clan. You can also see the former museum’s cute triangular roof. The panoramic view is spectacular, and will make you forget that you are looking through a window.
Since this is a museum, the star of the museum are of course the collections and exhibitions. However, you could also say that the building plays an important role. That is how much art you can feel by just ”visiting the museum” and ”enjoying the space the museum offers”.