O Art Museum (Osaki)
I visited the “O Art Museum,” housed inside the “New City” building, which connects directly by deck from JR Osaki Station. You can proceed along the deck from the ticket gate and walk straight into the building, so it’s a prime location you can reach without getting wet in the rain. It’s about a three-minute walk from the gate.
I went to see “The Shuto Expressway Seen Through Artworks,” an exhibition commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Shuto Expressway’s opening, held at the O Art Museum. The exhibition is a collection show organized by private collector Mr. Shin Sasa.
The Shuto Expressway Seen Through Artworks
“The Shuto Expressway Seen Through Artworks” is a huge showing of roughly 100 works. Apart from two pieces borrowed from elsewhere, all of them belong to Mr. Sasa, and this is said to be the first time he has staged such a project.
It is composed essentially of works that take the Shuto Expressway as their motif—ranging from photographs to prints, paintings, video, and even commemorative items—and the lineup features an astonishing roster including Shiko Munakata, Takashi Murakami, Akira Yamaguchi, and other luminaries. Just who is this person, that he can build a collection like this on his own…?
Shin Sasa
I was also fortunate enough to speak with Mr. Shin Sasa himself, who was present at the gallery, and to hear all sorts of stories.
Astonishingly, all 100 works in this show were collected within the past five years. The crystallization of steady legwork—gathering information and patiently building up piece by piece—now lines up in a magnificent exhibition.
He formerly worked at the Shuto Expressway Company and reportedly still holds a position at an affiliated company. As an active businessman who is still working, he took time off to plan and present this show. His daughter had come to help out at the reception desk.
As his statement also noted, he apparently aims to establish a “Shuto Expressway Museum.” It’s such a wonderful vision that you can’t help but want to cheer him on.
What’s more, even his own photographic works and ceramics are shown as reference exhibits—he really goes all the way; you can feel a kind of madness for the Shuto Expressway!
Summary
Every one of the some 100 Shuto Expressway–related art works was superb. There was none of the “just put up anything Shuto-Expressway-related” level of work; they were all of high quality and utterly overwhelming. There was none of the monotony you might imagine from so narrow a theme as the Shuto Expressway—each piece was overwhelming and drew you in.
I tried asking whether a catalog would be sold; it seems there have been many such inquiries, and he is apparently considering it.
The next show may come around the 60th anniversary of the opening—perhaps timed to the Tokyo Olympics. And who knows, maybe the museum will become a promise kept?
Well, I was treated to an amazing collection this time. This is truly a must-see! Mr. Sasa, you’re the best!!
