21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
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Miku Hatsune BCL + Semitransparent Design Ghost in the Cell 2015 - photo © 21st CMCA [/caption] [caption id align="alignnone" width="998"]
Leandro Erlich’s “Swimming Pool [/caption]
We headed to Kanazawa to capture a photo of its atmospheric Higashiyama-Higashi-Chaya district. While the neighbourhood is popular with domestic tourists, international visitors often overlook Kanazawa in favour of Kyoto. Yet this city is an absolute gem. Its blend of rich samurai and geisha heritage, enchanting gardens, and modern creativity makes it one of Japan’s most rewarding destinations. At the heart of its cultural scene is the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, easily one of the finest museums in the country. Trust us: the four-hour shinkansen (bullet train) ride from Tokyo is well worth it.
Near the renowned Kenroku-en Garden, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art captures the imagination as a floating disc amid the urban landscape. Designed by the talented SANAA team- Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, winners of the Pritzker Prize—this circular museum, measuring 113 metres, embodies transparency and inclusiveness. With no designated' front” or' back, ' the design encourages exploration from every angle, reflecting the idea that art can be enjoyed from multiple perspectives. Opened in 2004, the museum proudly showcases a dynamic collection of contemporary artworks from around the world and Japan, often highlighting opportunities for interaction and participation.
Looking back on this trip, we fondly remember how Japan was the place where we first discovered the incredible artist Olafur Eliasson through his installation Colour Activity House, a striking structure made up of overlapping panels of coloured glass arranged in a circular form. Simple movements suddenly become kaleidoscopic experiences, with colours blending and refracting depending on where you stand and who walks past on the museum’s grounds. His talent for transforming light, perception, and experience into something immersive and playful truly captivated us from the start. We further deepened our appreciation for his work at London’s Tate Modern during his unforgettable exhibition In Real Life.
Among all its installations, perhaps the most iconic, attracting curious visitors from around the world, is Leandro Erlich’s “Swimming Pool.” From the outside, at first glance, people peek into what looks like a complete turquoise pool of water—full of ladders and tiled edges—and it seems as if everyone is walking, breathing, and talking beneath the pool’s surface. But in truth, the water is just a thin layer of transparent glass. When you step inside the museum, you'll find yourself “underwater,” standing in a room painted aquamarine and filled with soft light filtering through the shimmering surface of the water above. It’s playful and a surreal commentary on perception, boundaries, and the delicate line between reality and illusion.
Our time wandering through the museum was filled with wonderful moments—where sound, sight, and space beckoned us to see things differently. That’s what makes this place so special: it doesn’t just display art, it invites you to inhabit it.
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Background, Olafur Eliasson Colour activity house [/caption]
When you visit Kanazawa, don’t miss the Higashiyama-Higashi-Chaya district, with its charmingly preserved teahouses offering a glimpse into the city’s Edo-period past. Kanazawa Castle, carefully reconstructed with great craftsmanship, stands proudly as a symbol of the city’s history and strength. And of course, Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s “three great gardens,” is a true masterpiece of landscape design — best experienced slowly, as you watch the seasons change.
As a wonderful bonus, the 21st Century Museum is conveniently located near some of Kanazawa's most renowned porcelain and shops, such as Kutani Ware, that also offer one-day workshops.
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Alfredo & Isabel Aquilizan Passage- Another Country 2014 [/caption]
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
(81) 076.220.2800
1-2 1 Chome-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture 920-8509, Japan
www.kanazawa21.jp