Aomori Museum of Art, Art museum in Aomori, Japan
The Aomori Museum of Art is a four-story modern art museum with distinctive white geometric walls inspired by archaeological excavation sites. The building organizes itself into multiple exhibition spaces, each presenting different collections and rotating displays.
Designed by architect Jun Aoki, the museum opened in 2006 and incorporates elements from the adjacent Sannai-Maruyama archaeological site into its structure. This connection to archaeology shapes the building's appearance and identity.
The museum displays works by Japanese artists with strong regional connections, particularly Yoshitomo Nara and Shiko Munakata, whose pieces reflect local artistic traditions. Visitors also encounter original stage backdrops by Marc Chagall for the ballet Aleko, creating a dialogue between Eastern and Western art.
The museum is easily accessible, located about 10 minutes from JR Shin-Aomori Station with regular opening hours. Plan enough time to explore all four floors and the various exhibition spaces at your own pace.
An octagonal viewing hall inside the museum contains a white dog sculpture standing about 8.5 meters (28 feet) tall, created by artist Yoshitomo Nara. This striking figure has become the museum's most recognizable symbol.
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