Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog archive

Hello. This is a new correspondent, Hanes.
In mid-February, I heard that there was a special exhibition that I could not miss for British lovers.
I went to a very quaint gallery in Ginza.
The gallery is a senior correspondent Gimini. ☆Mr. Cricket (2016, 2017, 2018) and Mr. Usako of Tsukuda have also been introduced.
MUSEE GINZA was created by preserving and regenerating modern architecture (retro building) built in 1932!


The entrance is on the left side.

The details of the building itself can be found in the article by Usako Tsukuda, so this time I omitted it.
I would like to introduce you from the places you care about inside the building.

■Entrance to stairs
First of all, press the intercom to open the door.
On the left side of the door is the Palnas Vienna interior, filled with the charm of the Vienna Separation, displayed in the showcase.
And on the wall next to the elongated stairs that stretches in front,
It is decorated with postcards (Sansanmabori, Cafe-Heyday, Occupation Ginza, etc.) that show the state of Ginza for the 90 years that this building has walked.
Each time you climb the stairs, rare historical materials make time slip.



Also, because it is a building in the early Showa era, I found an old Kyobashi Tax Corporation Member Securities in the middle of the stairs!
There are several buildings built in Ginza at the same time.
Even though the exterior is retro, there may not be much left from the time.
Therefore, these casual things are actually rare.



■Observation and Experimental Space
When I visited the gallery, there was a customer who had an aesthetic eye.
We had you show the rooftop before the exhibition.



Normally, the rooftop of buildings is not open to the public.
It seems that installations and performances are also experimentally performed here.
It is a valuable spot where you can see Showa-dori from an open space.



■Special exhibition "The World of British Theater Architecture THE WORLD OF BRITISH THEATER"
After enjoying the rooftop for a while, go to the long-awaited exhibition.
In this exhibition, we will focus on the goodness and historical axis of British theater architecture that flourished at the West End.
On display are 16 copperplate prints excerpted from ancient books that convey its history (published in the early 19th century).


(Photo courtesy of MUSEE GINZA_KawasakiBrand Design)

The British theater, which is the theme this time, has been updated with the times.
Young people in Japan also visit theaters.
It can be said that traditional Japanese performing arts still have little support from the younger generation.

In addition, it is difficult to use old buildings that have once finished their role in Japan as they are.
It is often demolished and reborn as a new building.
However, Rikihiro Kawasaki, who bought this building, updated the architectural space like the British theater.
We have succeeded in preserving and regenerating the building by giving a new role by taking advantage of the land of Ginza.

In this way, this exhibition is linked to Mr. Kawasaki's idea of preserving the building.
It is said that it is actually used at the subway station in London for this exhibition.
We obtained Stair Nosings (Stair Nosings) from AATi in the United Kingdom, which will be adopted for the first time in Japan, as a custom order after six months of negotiations.
I was surprised because it was installed on the stairs by myself.
This may be because it was originally a construction company in Kyushu.
This hardware is often used in British theater architecture, and one of the highlights is the attention that shines in such details.



And I'm interested in the exhibition, as shown in the figure below (The New Theatre Royal in Hay Market in 1821).
Some of them have a gorgeous and glittering British theater, but that's not the only one!


(Photo courtesy of MUSEE GINZA_KawasakiBrand Design)

You can see the uniqueness of the era, British culture, and architectural elements everywhere in the illustrations, so your imagination just expands.
For example, this illustration depicting the choir of St Saviour's (January 1, 1814 Robert Wilkinson published).
I get the impression that the clear hymn is echoing throughout the church, but if you look closely at the details, you will find it even more interesting.


(Photo courtesy of MUSEE GINZA_KawasakiBrand Design)

(The upper part of the photo) Near the ceiling of the pointed arch, which is unique to the Gothic style, is decorated like roses. ：You can see ribs (reinforcement members provided at key points such as board materials to increase the strength of steel structures, and decorations attached to intersections of "ribs").



(Lost left in the photo) Sculpture decoration like an angel
(lower right of the photo) like the Royal Standard

I will omit the details, but in English church architecture, in addition to the distinctive style and stained glass, which are often seen in the eyes.
In this detail, "What is this?" There are charms such as "I'm worried!"

And Mr. Kawasaki says, the most pessimistic work in this exhibition is.
It depicts Drury Lane Theatre, which was fired on the night of February 24, 1809.
At times when evacuation methods and time required for fire extinguishing were different from modern times....
How did the people around you evacuate and what kind of sight did you see?...
I think you can know that from this illustration.


(Photo courtesy of MUSEE GINZA_KawasakiBrand Design)

The old books handled this time were published by the publisher of Robert Wilkinson (1768-1825), who created the map.
Check not only the illustrations depicting the theater, but also the map.
You can see the records of the fire and where and what occupations lived, so it's interesting to see it.


(A PLAN OF THE FIRE IN BISHOPGATE STREET, part of CORNHILL AND LEADENHALL STREET.)

And this exhibition can also be purchased!
Unlike ordinary antique illustrations, it can be purchased at a very affordable price.
It's also surprising that three illustrations were sold only on the day of the visit.


(Photo courtesy of MUSEE GINZA_KawasakiBrand Design)

I can't introduce all the works on this blog.
You can see old British illustrations that you don't usually see easily.
It's also nice to be able to shoot in the gallery like a British museum.

<Aside> Adolf Loos
Designed by Loth, famous for "art is guilt" (i.e., "progress in culture is to eliminate decoration from daily necessities"), Cafe Muséum is characterized by simple interiors.
The gallery also displays a rare chair with a design similar to the Muzeum chair that was there (available).
This Loth's thought sounds somewhat radical,
It was so simple that some buildings were pointed out by the authorities because they were too simple....
But he later became a pioneer in Modernism architecture, and now he has become Vienna as a representative of the architectural world.

I'm not very familiar with art, but I saw a chair about this cafe Museum.
I feel like I was able to understand a little bit about MUSEE GINZA's vision and stance.
As I mentioned earlier, it is difficult to enter a gallery that does not face the road surface.
I think there are times when I don't notice what is happening in the first place.

However, as you can see in the gallery name, you feel like going to MUSEE (Museum).
I felt like it was an open space where everyone could enjoy art.
And the uniqueness of “MUSEE (Museum)” that appeals to the sensitivity of visitors is the essence of “MUSEE” that appeals to visitors.
It is an art-sensitive land called Ginza, which is embodyed while being updated!

This exhibition, which the owner Kawasaki was particular about, will be held until March 17th.
Please drop in if you are near you.

■MUSEE GINZA Special Exhibition "The World of British Theater Architecture THE WORLD OF BRITISH THEATER"
Venue: MUSEE GINZA (Kawasaki Brand Design Building, 1-20-17 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
Date: February 6 (Wednesday)-March 17 (Sunday), 2019 11:30-17:30
Closed: Mon/Tues
Admission fee: Free of charge
Official Website: https://kawasaki-brand-design.com/

※We have received permission for photography and introduction from MUSEE GINZA Kawasaki Brand Design Co., Ltd.