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Shinbists’Pledge to Mr. Kunio Motoe

Former curator of the Saku City Modern Art Museum,
Currently, an employee of Saku-shi Government,
Representing the Shinbism Working Group

Kudo, Miyuki

About 20 years ago we started a study meeting with some volunteer members such as curators working at museums in Nagano Prefecture. There are a number of museums and art galleries interspersed in the expansive range of Nagano Prefecture. There were many that had only one curator and no senior with whom he or she could consult, so every day was an experiment in trial and error. In the meantime, however, the growing number of people who shared the same worries and concerns led us to regard this meeting with a light feeling of “Let’s give it a try!”

Although it continued for several years, it was difficult to continue the meeting simply based on individual enthusiasm as a framework without any officially given blessing due to job changes and transfers within the occupations of several members. The meetings came to an end and were left unfinished with only the expectation of “Let’s start again sometime in the future.”

But one day, when our expectation was almost lost in the back of our minds and forgotten, a bright light shone in, suddenly and unexpectedly. It was, coincidentally, at the same time that “Team Shinbism,” launched by Director Motoe, who possessed the strong insistence that “A team is really needed for a director to supervise.”

It was his enthusiasm and deep love for the art produced in Nagano Prefecture and his feeling of regret that the art of Nagano, which had not been fully acknowledged despite its history and extensiveness, that united us once again. With those former days behind us, we became invigorated anew with a very exulted feeling that we could do whatever we wanted due to Mr. Motoe’s vision. His appearance was miraculous!

At the very time when he paved the way to complete the path “Ki-Sho-Ten-Ketsu would take, that is the Introduction, Development, Turn and Conclusion” of Shinbism 1 and 2, then 3 and 4, the Director, all of a sudden, declared his retirement without any consultation with managers and those involved in his team. We were shocked beyond words.

“As I have told you many times, you are, nevertheless, the leading characters, aren’t you? Why are you so disturbed? It would be a grave mistake if you think you can rely on me forever.” (Motoe, Kunio)

 

Shinbism2 at Azumino Venue in Nagano (December 1, 2018) Photographer:Takahashi, Kohei

Shinbism2 at Azumino Venue in Nagano (December 1, 2018) Photographer:Takahashi, Kohei

I could not help but feel regret upon hearing him say those words in his usual easygoing, but somewhat aloof tone, though at the same time I felt funny realizing some inexplicable combative spirit was springing out of me.

“Please draw a circle in your head.

The art of Nagano Prefecture is in its center.

The curators make up the circumference of the circle.

Beyond that circumference, who is there? They are the people of Nagano Prefecture.

How can we convey to the people in their prefecture its cultural richness, neatly and properly and with due affection and enthusiasm?

The curators need to start their work from this point.

This is the team to materialize this task.

I hope this team becomes a union-like existence to return the beauty of our cultural richness to the people in Nagano, learning and helping each other in a framework of evenly-horizontal connection, without discrimination, but in constructive rivalry.” (Motoe, Kunio)

Delivered by the late Mr. Kunio Motoe, then Art Director of Nagano Prefecture, in the press conference room of the Nagano prefectural office building on May 18, 2017 introducing “Shinbism 1.”

Of course, our task does not end here, nor will it do next year.

Shinbism will not end as long as Shinbists exist.

Let’s make a new start, here, as of today!