The Ohara Museum of Art located in the center of the Bikan Historical Area.
In July 2023, a new director will be appointed for the first time in about 20 years.
The new director will be Miura Atsushi.
A report on the press conference held on June 28, 2023, just a few days before the appointment.
What is the Ohara Museum of Art
The Ohara Museum of Art, established in 1930, is the first private museum in Japan focused on Western art.
It consists of the main building, branch museum, and Crafts and Asian Art Museum, with a collection of approximately 3,000 items.
The collection includes Western art works such as El Greco's "Annunciation" and Claude Monet's "Water Lilies," as well as a wide range of modern Japanese works and pieces by artists involved in the Mingei movement.
The museum is also actively engaged in educational outreach and support for young artists, in addition to its collection and exhibitions.
In July 2023, it was announced that a new director would be appointed at the Ohara Museum of Art.
The new director will be Miura Atsushi.
Former director Takashina Shuji, who has served as director for over 20 years since 2002, will become the head of the newly established Ohara Institute of Art in April 2024.
The Ohara Museum of Art, reaching a significant milestone, held a press conference for the new director's appointment.
What thoughts does the new director Miura have as he takes on this role?
Biography of New Director Miura
| Date | Career |
|---|---|
| May 20, 1957 | Born in Oda City, Shimane Prefecture |
| March 1976 | Graduated from Shimane Prefectural Oda High School |
| March 1981 | Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Liberal Arts, French Studies |
| March 1984 | Completed Master's Program in Art History at the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Humanities |
| October 1985 | Studied in France as a government-sponsored student, enrolled in the doctoral program at Paris 4 University |
| April 1989 | Special Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science |
| March 1990 | Completed doctoral coursework in Art History at the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Humanities |
| April 1990 | Lecturer at Japan Women's University, Faculty of Human Sciences |
| April 1993 | Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Liberal Arts |
| April 1996 | Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Comprehensive Cultural Studies |
| January 1997 | Obtained a doctorate from Paris 4 University |
| April 2006 | Professor at the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Comprehensive Cultural Studies |
| March 2023 | Retired from the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Comprehensive Cultural Studies |
| April 2023 | Visiting Professor at the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Comprehensive Cultural Studies |
| June 2023 | Honorary Professor at the University of Tokyo |
| July 2023 | Director of the Ohara Museum of Art |
"I confidently recommended Miura as the right person" (Former Director Takashina)
At the beginning of the press conference, former director Takashina expressed his gratitude for the time he served as director and shared his thoughts on the new director Miura.
"I have been indebted to the Ohara Museum of Art for over 20 years.
I taught art history to Miura when he was in university.
He is currently active as a teacher and is very knowledgeable about art history.
He also has experience curating exhibitions while serving as the director of the Komaba Museum at the University of Tokyo.
I confidently recommended Miura as the right person to succeed me.
I believe he is an exceptional talent, and I am very pleased with Miura's appointment as the new director."
The keywords are "Exchange and Dissemination" (New Director Miura)
Next, New Director Miura gave his greeting upon taking office.
"It is a great honor to serve as the director of the Ohara Museum of Art, which is well-known nationwide.
The Ohara Museum of Art has a rich collection that includes not only modern Western art but also works by artists involved in modern Japanese art and the Mingei movement.
There are not many museums that hold such a wide range of high-quality works.
It can be said that it has evolved from "the first Western art museum in Japan" to a comprehensive art museum.
Since 2002, I have closely observed the efforts under Director Takashina to nurture young artists and engage in educational outreach.
As I take on the role of director, I am considering what I can do for the Ohara Museum of Art."
In this context, he announced the keywords of "Dissemination and Exchange".
"Dissemination" of new exhibitions and research activities
New Director Miura indicates that "dissemination" mainly refers to three points.
The first point is the dissemination of new exhibitions.
The Ohara Museum of Art has a rich permanent collection due to the breadth of its collection.
While there are exhibitions based on specific themes and special exhibitions such as the special opening of Yurin-so Villa, most of the time, the exhibitions have been centered around the collection.
Considering the current situation, New Director Miura expressed his desire to hold new exhibitions in collaboration with other museums.
For example, once a theme for an exhibition is decided, we can borrow works from other museums to hold the exhibition.
This way, visitors can gain a better understanding of the works and their historical context, and feel the breadth of the Ohara Museum of Art's collection.
By collaborating with other museums, I want to conduct new exhibitions that are different from before and promote the charm of the Ohara Museum of Art both domestically and internationally.
The second point is the dissemination of research activities.
In April 2024, the Ohara Museum of Art will become a museum affiliated with the "Ohara Institute of Art."
Details about the Ohara Institute of Art will be announced in the future.
New Director Miura expressed his expectation that "curators will be affiliated as researchers and disseminate the results of their research."
The third point is the dissemination of educational research.
New Director Miura is also an honorary professor at the University of Tokyo and has contributed to the field of education for many years.
He expressed his desire to challenge himself with lectures and seminars for curators and general art enthusiasts based on his own knowledge and experience.
He mentioned that he wants to explore new forms of educational outreach.
"Exchange" with domestic and international parties
Regarding "exchange," two points were raised.
The first point is about the collaboration with other museums, which was also mentioned in "dissemination."
New Director Miura stated, "I want to make the Ohara Museum of Art, which is well-known nationwide, even more nationally recognized."
As a result of dissemination, I believe we will be able to collaborate with other museums.
I want to establish cooperative relationships with other museums to hold exhibitions that cannot be done by the Ohara Museum of Art alone.
The second point is exchange with domestic and international researchers.
He expressed his desire to invite domestic and international researchers to the Ohara Museum of Art and hold conferences, symposiums, and seminars.
Furthermore, once the Ohara Institute of Art is established, he aims to create a learning environment in collaboration with it.
In the future, he revealed his dream of wanting to "hold international conferences at the Ohara Museum of Art."
Honestly, I may have too many goals.
I don't know how many years it will take to achieve these goals, but I will work on realizing them one by one while exploring my own vision for the Ohara Museum of Art and contributing to its development.
Now is the time for new challenges
New Director Miura shared his aspirations as the new director.
In the latter part of the press conference, a Q&A session was held.
For example, there was a moment when he was asked about "memories and impressions of visiting the Ohara Museum of Art for the first time."
New Director Miura recounted that as a student, he felt that "if I am majoring in modern French art history, I must visit the Ohara Museum of Art" and traveled from Shimane Prefecture.
At that time, he was overwhelmed by the breadth and quality of the works.
He revealed that he thought it was miraculous to have such a high-level museum in the Chugoku region.
Also, "How do you feel about the current situation of the Ohara Museum of Art in light of the post-COVID-19 era?"
When asked, "What kind of presence do you want to have for the people of Okayama Prefecture and Kurashiki City?" the new director, Miura, stated the following.
"Having experienced the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, I believe that we can turn adversity into a springboard for new challenges.
While utilizing the current wonderful collection in viewing projects and educational fields, I want to take one more step outside in the future.
That is the keyword I have mentioned: communication and exchange.
I aim to become nationally recognized and even worldwide, and I want to give back the results to Kurashiki."
Conclusion
At the end of the press conference, Chairperson Akane Ohara gave a greeting.
"Thank you for gathering here today despite your busy schedules.
As a foundation, we want to do our utmost for the development of the Ohara Museum of Art while fully supporting the new director, Miura, who has set the theme of 'communication and exchange.'
We plan to announce more about the foundation's future at a later date.
We appreciate your continued support."
With the arrival of the new director, a new era of transformation is coming to the Ohara Museum of Art.
I look forward to seeing how communication and exchange will be realized as a fan of the Ohara Museum of Art.
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