No.9639   Nov. 29. 2006

The new “SUNTORY MUSEUM of ART” to open

---

The Suntory Museum of Art, under Director Nobutada Saji, will open its doors on Friday, March 30, at its new location in Roppongi’s Tokyo Midtown, in Minato Ward, Tokyo.

More than two years have passed since the museum temporarily closed at the end of December 2004 to prepare for the move from Akasaka-mitsuke to its new home in Roppongi.

Since first opening in 1961, the Suntory Museum of Art’s guiding principal has been “Art in Life.” The revitalization of the museum brings the museum into the new century with a new message: “Bringing together art. Bringing out art.” Suntory hopes that the museum will attract many people by combining traditional and modern and East and West—and that it will move beyond time and space, and give rise to inspiration and the journeys of discovery made possible by art.

Architect Kengo Kuma has realized in the design of the new museum a comfortable space fusing the modern and the traditional. In his design, he has emphasized nature, incorporating elements such as wood and paper. He also has included a large open space, ideal for a wide variety of exhibitions. Kuma has added other facilities, such as a tearoom and Shop×Café, which make the Museum even more attractive to visitors.

The first exhibit to be held in commemoration of the reopening of the Suntory Museum of Art will be titled “Celebrating Japan,” and will run from March 30 to June 3. The second exhibition to mark the event will be titled, “Water for Life,” and will run from June 16 to August 19. Visitors to the Museum during these times will be treated to a viewing of about 300 items selected from Suntory’s vaults, including some National Treasures and Important Cultural Assets.

In addition to the exhibitions, the museum will hold an educational forum to help make art more accessible. It also will launch the Suntory Art Museum Members Club, to allow those who join to more effectively utilize the Museum. Children’s workshops and other programs will provide a more hands-on approach to the world of Japanese art. For everybody from children to seniors, and for foreign visitors as well, we hope the Museum will provide a moving experience and new discoveries in the world of art.

Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii once said: “We should put one-third of our profits back into society.” Since its founding, Suntory has done just that, actively contributing to both culture and society based on the “Principle of Dividing Profits Three Ways.”

With 45 years of achievements behind it, we hope the new Suntory Museum of Art will become part of and enrich many lives.