Just as we arrived at the Glass House, the late architect Philip Johnson’s country home in New Canaan, Connecticut, the leaden sky opened up and threatened to drench us. We were there for “Night Sounds #4,” which featured a live performance by the avant garde–electronic duo Lucky Dragons and the unveiling of a sculpture by Vincent Fecteau—as well as a more ephemeral work by the Japanese artist Fujiko Nakaya.

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