Pat's Blog:2013年08月13日

KENZO TANGE Tradition & Creation 20th July-23 Sept. 2013

2013年08月13日

Kenzo Tange is one of Japan’s most important post-war architects and he’s left a number of his unique buildings here in Takamatsu. Wikipedia can quickly provide the outline of this important man and his legacy, which has influenced so many Japanese architects who followed in his footsteps.

Tange himself was influenced by the Swiss great, Le Corbusier and that’s the way it is with art, the greats take ideas and then develop them both further and into their own styles creating something totally unique. Who can forget the Tokyo Olympics stadium and pool? They were revolutionary for the time and still look magnificent after all these years. In short, they’ve become classics and instantly recognizable.

I’ve had a lot of personal experience with Kenzo Tange’s buildings having worked in one for many years and used the superbly designed Takamatsu Prefectural Gymnasium affectionately know as ‘the Ark’ by many foreigners here. In fact I was here this morning, sweating andlooking at the daring concrete curves, swoops, rock and pool gardens and thinking about this blog.
http://www.japan-photo.de/e-mo-j19-24.htm

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Building is a favorite. Supported by unobtrusive concrete pillars it just seems to float in the air and is considered a masterpiece. One of the world’s most beautiful buildings.

The Takamatsu Prefectural Offices is also a building designed by Tange and I’ve spent many days working in it. This is a building that utilizes natural light and offers workers views of the city.

Architecture is always a struggle to integrate the best of form & function and as time passes, utilitarian concerns override aesthetics, so what was once a beautiful concrete structure of concrete and glass has had to be reconsidered in the light of ageing, constant personnel changes, policies on budgets, on heating and air conditioning. Tanges’s instantly recognizable lateral and stacked beams with glass seeming to support them. The Romans made the best concrete and there was something in their recipes that have stood the test of time very well.

This wonderful exhibition will run until the 23rd of September at the Takamatsu History Museum. Please do see it if you’re in the city visiting.
http://www.city.takamatsu.kagawa.jp/english/sightseeing/sees/takamatsu-history-museum.html

There are a few other bloggers in town and here they are. My old pal Cathy Hirano writes a wonderful blog with me and Cathy always puts me to shame with her deep local knowledge and writing skills.
http://cathy.ashita-sanuki.jp

David is from France, speaks perfect English and has a great blog that I’ll include the link to each month.
http://ogijima.com
A bit quiet of late but a man named Tim also has a good one.
http://ww8.tiki.ne.jp/~tmath/home/
I’ll be back soon as the city want 3 blogs a month, which is a bit tough. Fortunately there’s a wealth of material at the moment, so see you soon!