• Ideas
  • May 30, 2014

Field Trip: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

Exterior view of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, designed by SANAA.

Kanazawa, located in northern Japan, was among the country’s four biggest cities during the Edo period (1603–1867). Having withstood numerous bombings during World War II, its historic sites, such as the Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden, still stand, and much of the city's traditional culture and craft remain. With this rich background, it is perhaps no surprise that in 1995 the municipal government decided to build an art complex here. In October, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Earlier this month ArtAsiaPacific visited the museum, which is housed in a circular, one-story building designed by Japanese architectural firm SANAA.