Hi there! Today I want to write about the only UNESCO world cultural heritage site in Tokyo, the National Museum of Western Art, a little further. I think many of the readers of this blog do love intellectual stimulation so much. And I believe you would agree that you obtain so much joy and pleasure when you are able to access accumulations of intelligence that late leading figures left for the next generations. It doesn’t matter if you are a professional or an expert to the specific area.
みなさん、こんにちは。今日は東京では唯一の世界文化遺産、上野の国立西洋美術館の話を少し掘り下げてみたいと思います。知的刺激を愛する者にとっては、たとえ自分がその道のプロではなくとも、先達の遺していった知の集積にほんの少しでも触れることで、大きな喜びがもたらされます。
I visited one of the architecture that Le Corbusier designed that are built in nearly 60 countries all over the world. I took some pictures at the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo and after I got back home in Kyushu island, I reviewed the concept of the architecture while reading this book.
世界中に点在するル・コルビュジエの建築の一つ、国立西洋美術館にも立ち寄り写真に収め、九州の我が家へ帰宅してからこの本を読みつつおさらいをしていました。
In the book, I learned that Le Corbusier believed that it was important to study and discover from the past works and achievements for the sake of world peace and further development. By believing so, he kept on researching for museums as containers of the previous matters and facts. The reason why he finds so much values on museums is that he keeps an attitude of understanding the past that is so worthy. I can tell that he practiced his principle by learning something new through the act of seeing and searching for something old.
コルビュジエは世界の平和と発展のためには、過去の蓄積からの学習と発見こそが大切だと考え、そして過去の容器としての博物館、美術館の研究を続けてきたそうです。彼が博物館および美術館にこだわるのは、過去の事物を集めて学習の対象にする態度から来ているとのこと。温故知新の実践を通じて仕事をして行った人だということが浮かび上がって来ます。
To tell the truth, I went in the museum with my sweetheart when I was an university student in Tokyo back in the 90’s. The interior design of the architecture was so unique as it was quite different from other museums. You have to go walk through the inside going up and going down the slopes then your view point changes as you walk along. I can still picture it clearly after 20 years. The message that Corbusier wanted to tell us was that he wanted us to enjoy the beautiful and mesmerizing things that were collected from all over the world by taking different angles and different approaches. Even though Le Corbusier was quite eloquent and splendid at promoting his works, he didn’t depend on words and languages to convey his beliefs and thoughts. Instead he designed architecture with so much energy and passion and his pure message is being sent out ceaselessly, even today.
実は、国立西洋美術館には学生の頃にデートで行った思い出があります。ただ展示物を一面的に見るだけではない、自分の足で建物内を上下にぐるりと廻って旋回しながら、流れる時間軸と共に視点を多角度に移動させながら魅せてゆく館内のことは、二十年以上経った今でもよく覚えています。身体を一定の動きに固定させずに目線を移ろわせながら、世界中から集められた美の粋を味わってほしい。コルビュジエは雄弁で発信力に長けていたと言いますが、彼が私達に建築を通して本当に伝えたかったことは、言葉ではなくそこにただ立ち続ける建築物の中に想いとして込められ、それが脈々とその純度の高い想いを発信し続けています。
I imagine Corbusier had 2 aspects of characteristics as he carried on his task. He possessed huge amount of passion that was so solid and not easily be shaken, and at the same time he had cool intelligence that he analyzed and saw through things from above. And not only that he had a great sense of freedom that enabled him to fly further. I cant’t help but think that there are so many proofs and evidence on the backside of the remarkable achievements of the genius.
コルビュジエは自分の信念に対して、熱く揺るがぬ情熱と一歩退いて俯瞰して物事を受け止める冷静な知性の両方を強く保持しながらも、卓越した感覚を自由に羽ばたかせて行った人なのでしょう。天才の仕事の後ろには、多くの裏付けがある。そう思わずにはいられません。
If you are interested in Le Corbusier, I wrote another blog article about him titled “Le Corbusier and Music”. Go check out the back number if you wish. I visited Stuttgart Germany to see his early works.
なお、コルビュジエに関する記事は、”Le Corbusier and Music” というタイトルでドイツのヴァイセンホーフを訪れた時のものも書いています。ご興味がありましたら、上記のブログ記事をご覧ください。
That’s all for today! Blessings to each one of you!
それでは今日はここまで。みなさんに豊かな祝福がありますように！
