Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum will be holding the event "Experience Art Communication Projects 2025: Seeing, Creating, Connecting – 12 Years of Museum Start Aiueno and Present Status."
Flyer image
The museum launched its Art Communication Project when it was renovated in 2012, and has been working with a variety of people, including art communicators selected from the general public, for over 10 years to enrich the museum experience of each visitor from diverse backgrounds, with the aim of becoming a "gateway to art" open to everyone, regardless of age or disability. Starting in 2023, we will be holding an exhibition called "Experience the Art Communication Project" to look back on this project and disseminate it more widely.
This year, the third year of the program, we will focus on the collaborative learning that occurs in museums, and consider how diverse people foster connections through dialogue with artworks, and social participation that begins with an interest in culture.
This exhibition introduces three groups of artists whose work values connections with others and cultural assets.
Additionally, in cooperation with cultural facilities in Ueno Park*, there will be an archive exhibition of "Museum Start Aiueno," which has been running for 12 years since 2013, screenings of archival footage, and participatory workshops that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
At the venue, various art communicators (Tobira) active in the Tobira Project will welcome you and create an opportunity for you to enjoy the artworks together.
Why not try your hand at a museum on a day during your summer vacation?
■What does it mean to "experience an art communication project"? ■
This is an initiative to introduce the art communication projects of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in the form of an exhibition. Art communicators are always on hand to accompany visitors to the exhibition, allowing visitors to experience a variety of art communication experiences.
■What is the "Art Communication Project"?■
This project was launched to realize a new mission when the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum reopened after renovation in 2012. We work in collaboration with people to ensure that the museum is not just a place to research and exhibit art and cultural assets, but also a place that connects people with artworks and people with each other, creating creative moments.
■What is "Museum Start Aiueno"? ■
The Learning Design Project is a collaboration between nine cultural facilities in Ueno Park, supporting all children's museum debuts by creating an environment where children and adults can encounter culture and art, have fun, and learn together.
* Organized by Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), Tokyo University of the Arts. Co-organized by Ueno Royal Museum, Ueno Zoological Garden, National Museum of Nature and Science, National Diet Library, International Children's Library, National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (in alphabetical order).
■What are the "Tobira Project" and "Tobira"? ■
The "Tobira Project" is a social design project that fosters community through art, in collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts, and local citizens. Citizens who are actively involved in the project are called art communicators (nicknamed "Tobira"). In this exhibition, we will support visitors in enjoying the works by sharing their feelings and thoughts about them, so that they can appreciate them more creatively.
2024: Artist talk with sign language interpretation
2024: Exhibition room
■Exhibiting Artist Profile■
Yukie Mori
Japanese painter. Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1988. Graduated from the Doctoral Program in Japanese Painting at the Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School of Fine Arts in 2020, receiving a PhD in Fine Arts. Currently an associate professor at the Japan Art Academy. Using familiar scenery such as Ueno Park as his subject matter, he creates paintings that utilize the materials and techniques of Japanese painting.
Yukie Mori, "Shining" 2017
The Gaka Family
An artist unit consisting of husband and wife painter Chie Koda and Akira Kamo and their son. The unit was launched in 2024 in search of a way to deepen their artistic activities while raising their children.
Miwa Michiyo
Sculptor. Born in Gunma Prefecture in 1966. After graduating from the Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School of Fine Arts with a major in conservation and restoration techniques, he began creating works centered on realistic sculptures. He developed retinitis pigmentosa in his late 30s and became completely blind in his early 50s. In recent years, he has been creating works using only the senses of his hands.
Miwa Tsudo's Silent Dog, 2025, at Arts Maebashi "The Sense of Beginning" exhibition (photo: Shinya Kogure)
■Highlights■
(1) Introducing three groups of artists who continue to create works that value relationships with others and cultural assets
The first half of this exhibition introduces three groups of artists. Mori Yukie closely observes familiar scenery, plants and animals, and attempts to depict invisible sensations. The Gakanokazoku combine their family life with their creative endeavors, and engage in public living. Miwa Dodo creates sculptures using only the senses of his hands, without relying on his sight. Through their respective creations, they open up new possibilities for art to connect with people and society.
(2) "Museum Start Aiueno" Archive Exhibition Tracing 12 Years of Progress
This exhibition will feature archives that look back over the 12 years of "Museum Start Aiueno," which has worked with cultural facilities in Ueno Park to create an environment where children can encounter various museums. By publishing records of various programs that compile information on children's encounters with real things, thinking about them for themselves, and making discoveries, the exhibition will showcase the history and expansion of learning that utilizes museums.
(3) Art communicators will support visitors at the venue
At the venue, art communicators (nicknamed Tobira) active in the "Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum x Tokyo University of the Arts Tobira Project," the foundation of the art communication project, and Tobira who have completed their three-year term will be welcoming visitors. Why not start your museum experience with a Tobira?
■ Related programs ■
Related programs will be held by the curators and exhibiting artists, providing opportunities to enjoy the exhibitions on a deeper level.
Please check the official website for details on how to participate in each program.
●Gallery tour by the curator
Date and time: Thursday, July 31, 2025, 11:00-12:00/Sunday, August 3, 2025, 14:00-15:00
● Viewing events for people with and without vision to enjoy together
Date and time: Saturday, August 2, 2025, 14:00-16:00
● Viewing program "Make your own adventure notebook!"
You will view the artworks at the venue while talking with an art communicator. Try writing down what you feel and notice! This program utilizes the "Adventure Notebook Making" activity of "Museum Start Aiueno."
Date and time: August 3, 2025 (Sunday) 11:00-12:00 / August 6th (Wednesday) 14:00-15:00 / August 9th (Saturday) 16:00-17:00
●Artist Talk "Interview with Japanese painter Yukie Mori"
We will interview the exhibiting artist, Yukie Mori, about her creative process.
Date and time: Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 14:00-15:00
●Artist Talk "Gakano-ka-zoku Retrospective Talk"
We will talk to the exhibiting artists, the Gakanokazoku, about the process of their public creative process for this exhibition and about events that occurred during the period.
Date and time: Friday, August 8, 2025, 14:00-15:00
Event Outline
Exhibition title: Experience Art Communication Projects 2025
Seeing, Creating, Connecting: Museum Start Aiueno's 12 Years and Current Status
〇Period: July 31st (Thursday) – August 10th (Sunday), 2025
〇Closed on Monday, August 4th
Opening hours: 9:30-17:30 (entry allowed until 30 minutes before closing)
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Lobby Floor, 3rd Public Exhibition Room
Organized by Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
〇Official website : https://tobira-project.info/ac-ten/
Admission: Free
