We headed to Kanazawa chasing a photo from its Higashiyama-Higashi-Chaya district. While it is a tourist destination for the Japanese. International tourists, if they leave Tokyo, usually head to to Kyoto. Kanazawa is an amazing city and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art one of the best museums in Japan. A trip here is well worth the 4-hour bullet train from Tokyo

Revisiting this post, we realize that here in Japan we had our fist encounter with the amazing artist Olafur Eliasson. Who we later connected with in an amazing way at London’s Tate Modern and his amazing exhibition In Real Life.

photo © 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
photo © 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
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Near said Kenroku-en, the pleasing circular structure of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art floats above the landscape.   Built in 2005, by architects Kazuyo Sejima+Ryue Nishizawa of the architectural prize-winning architect studio SANAA, this 113m diameter steel frame and reinforced concrete building is home to a fantastic rotating collection.  We had a lovely time exploring and marveling at the play of sight and sound – a theme that re-appeared throughout.

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

For other amazing things in Kanazawa be sure to check out the Higashiyama Higashi Chaya District, the superbly maintained Kanazawa Castle, and the Kenroku-en gardens.

Kanazawa’s 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is a startling revelation. One could find themselves surprised by finding one of the best museums in Japan in this small city. We highly recommend the trip.

As a bonus,  the 21st Century Museum is surrounded by several of Kanazawa’s famed porcelain shops.

Background, Olafur Eliasson (Colour activity house)
Olafur Eliasson (Colour activity house)
Olafur Eliasson (Colour activity house)
foreground, Fernando Romero (Wrapping LAR) Background, Olafur Eliasson (Colour activity house)
photo © 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Miku Hatsune BCL + Semitransparent Design Ghost in the Cell 2015
Pedro Reyes People’s United Nations (pUN) Drone Dove Installation view at the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, 2015 Photo: Keizo Kioku
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Shilpa Gupta
Alfredo & Isabel Aquilizan Passage- Another Country 2014
Alfredo & Isabel Aquilizan Passage- Another Country 2014
Alfredo & Isabel Aquilizan Passage- Another Country 2014
Alfredo & Isabel Aquilizan Passage- Another Country 2014
Alfredo & Isabel Aquilizan Passage- Another Country 2014
21 C Museum Contemporary Art
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Alfredo & Isabel Aquilizan Passage- Another Country 2014
Pedro Reyes People’s United Nations (pUN) Drone Dove Installation view at the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, 2015 Photo: Keizo Kioku
Rirkrit Tiravanija
Rirkrit Tiravanija Second chapter: be sure to pack the toothbrush, eat Curry noodles through the wormhole 2013 (Screen print metal foil , hand made abaca paper)
Rirkrit Tiravanija Second chapter: be sure to pack the toothbrush, eat Curry noodles through the wormhole 2013 (Screen print metal foil , hand made abaca paper)
El Anatsui (perspectives 2015) Tapestrie, using metal caps from beverage bottles and other scrap materials. Awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in 2015 at the Venice Biennale
El Anatsui
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Visitor Info: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

(81)  076.220.2800
1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture 920-8509, Japan
www.kanazawa21.jp

Open Hours:
10:00 – 18:00    Daily

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