The National Museum of Western Art (Ueno) will once again be attracting a lot of attention as a World Heritage Site in 2025. There are two reasons for this.
First, the renovation work carried out in 2022 restored the original appearance of the building.Experience Le Corbusier's design philosophyIt has been reborn as a precious space.
Secondly,2025 marks the 60th anniversary of Le Corbusier's deathThis is a milestone year, and his achievements and ideas are being reevaluated worldwide.
Additionally, the Museum of Western Art will be hosting a large-scale exhibition and architecture tour in 2025, making it even more worthwhile for sightseeing and learning.
The National Museum of Western Art is one of the only important assets in Japan that is a transboundary site that constitutes the World Heritage Site "The Architectural Works of Le Corbusier - An Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Architectural Movement." Located in Ueno, Tokyo, it is easily accessible to many people, so in this article we will introduce the museum's value as a World Heritage Site.Reaffirming the National Museum of Western Art's significance as a World Heritage SiteI would like to do that.
1. Basic information and history of the National Museum of Western Art
The National Museum of Western Art is located in Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo, and opened in 1959. The core of the facility is the museum, which was donated by Kojiro Matsukata from France.Masterpieces of Western art, centered on the Matsukata CollectionWith a wide range of collections, from Impressionist works by artists such as Monet, Rodin, and Renoir to modern paintings, this facility allows you to experience authentic Western art in Japan.
The building was designed by Le Corbusier, one of the most famous architects of the 20th century.The architecture itself has received international acclaimThe 2022 renovation will respect Le Corbusier's design intent and restore the front garden and interior spaces as much as possible to their original appearance.
The National Museum of Western Art is the only museum in Japan that is a component of the World Heritage Site "The Architectural Works of Le Corbusier: An Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement" (registered in 2016, asset ID: 1321). The site is made up of 17 assets across seven countries, including France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Argentina, and India.Part of a Transboundary Site (a World Heritage site that transcends national borders)is.
2. A thorough explanation of why it was registered as a World Heritage Site
The National Museum of Western Art was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016 as "Le Corbusier's Architectural Works: An Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement." The evaluation was based on the following three inscription criteria:
Reference source:UNESCOThe Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement"
Criterion (i) A masterpiece that expresses the creative genius of humanity
Le Corbusier's designs are symbols of the creative genius that revolutionized 20th-century architecture. The National Museum of Western Art holds unique value as the only example of the "Museum of Infinite Growth" concept he advocated.
Criterion (ii) for inscription: Outstanding influence on the international exchange and development of architectural techniques and ideas
Le Corbusier's architectural works spread the principles of modern architecture, which pursue functionality and rationality, around the world and had a major influence on architectural design in later generations. The National Museum of Western Art is also positioned as a symbol of international exchange in that it collaborated with Japanese architects.
Criterion (vi) Outstanding relevance to human history, thought, or art
Le Corbusier's ideas had a profound influence on 20th-century urban planning and museum architecture. The National Museum of Western Art, proposing a new relationship between artworks and architectural space, also plays an important role in the history of human art and culture.
These values have been recognized, and as Japan's only World Heritage site and a global modern architectural heritage site, the National Museum of Western Art continues to attract attention from around the world.
3. Who was Le Corbusier? His ideas and connections to Japan
Le Corbusier (1887-1965) was a Swiss-born French architect and urban planner. Known as a master of modern architecture, he advocated unique ideas such as the "Five Principles of Architecture" and the "Museum of Infinite Growth." He established innovative architectural styles such as pilotis (an open first floor supported by columns), rooftop gardens, free-form floor plans, and continuous horizontal windows, which had a profound influence on urban and residential design around the world.
In terms of his connection with Japan, he teamed up with Japanese architects Kunio Maekawa, Junzo Sakakura, and Takamasa Yoshizaka on the design project for the National Museum of Western Art, which had a major impact on the Japanese architectural world. This international collaboration can be seen as a symbol of the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures and the development of modern Japanese architecture.
4. Complete Guide to Architectural Features and Attractions
The main building of the National Museum of Western Art is one of the few buildings that faithfully embodies Le Corbusier's concept of a "museum of infinite growth." We will introduce its main architectural features and highlights.
Pilotis
A structure in which the second floor is supported only by pillars, creating an open space, is called a pilotis structure.
This is a structure that is often seen in schools and apartment buildings, but it was actually Le Corbusier who proposed incorporating this structure into architecture.
The National Museum of Western Art also embodies Corbusier's philosophy of connecting the exterior and interior with nature.
Recreated the Museum of Infinite GrowthExhibition flow line
The spirally ascending slope and the ingenious design of the viewing route create a space that embodies the concept of the "Museum of Infinite Growth" mentioned above.
It is now a permanent exhibition area,
Restoration of the front garden (renewal in 2022)
In fact, when the National Museum of Western Art was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2016, ICOMOS pointed this out, and renovations to the front garden began in 2020. When it is renovated in 2022, it will faithfully reproduce Le Corbusier's original intentions when it was designed.
The renovation included changing the location of the gate, minimizing plantings, and relocating Rodin's sculptures "The Thinker" and "The Burghers of Calais."
Reference: National Museum of Western ArtMuseum architecture"
summary
The National Museum of Western Art is Japan's only World Heritage site, designed by Le Corbusier, one of the most representative architects of the 20th century. With its planned renovation in 2022 and the 60th anniversary of Corbusier's death in 2025, the museum's historical and artistic value is being highlighted even more.
As a cultural asset that we can be proud of around the world, why not experience its value for yourself on-site now?
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