Jewelry / Architecture: Architect Yoshio Taniguchi – hk+np studio inc.
s
Blogs
  • hk+np studio Jewelry / Architecture Blog: Architect Yoshio Taniguchi
  • Author avatar
    Neil Prakash
  • ArchitectureArt galleryJapanJapanese JewelryMuseumnewsPressSilver Jewelry
hk+np studio Jewelry / Architecture Blog: Architect Yoshio Taniguchi February 04, 2016
Architecture is basically a container of something. I hope they will enjoy not so much the teacup, but the tea. Yoshio Taniguchi
Toyota Municipal Museum of Art by Yoshio Taniguchi.
One of our favorite living architects is Yoshio Taniguchi. Most people, and many architects won't know who he is, despite having a seriously impressive portfolio of work. His first project outside of Japan was the competition he won for the renovation and addition of the MOMA in New York! His father, Yoshirō Taniguchi, was also an architect and responsible for the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo, among other notable projects.
National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo, Yoshiro Taniguchi
The National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo by Yoshirō Taniguchi.
2006 Exhibition Japanese Art Jewelry Today-Transfiguration at The National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo by Yoshirō Taniguchi. 6 Broaches by jewelry artist Yasuki Hiramatsu (1926 - 2012)

Yoshio is perhaps one of the best connections back to the great master Mies Van der Rohe and has continued the modernist approach of combining centrifugal and centripetal forms, space, and mass. Because of the non-self referential nature of his work, he has escaped the architectural spotlight that tends to focus on high technology, and flashy forms.

 National Museum of Japan, gallery of Horyuji Treasure, Yoshio Tanaguchi

The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures, Tokyo by Yoshio Taniguchi.

Hiroko has visit a number of his projects but so far I have had the opportunity to visit only one of his projects, The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures. I was immediately taken aback by the quality of craftsmanship, material, space, and configuration of the place. Most notable was the quality of Taniguchi's design details, and the control and use of light. I didn't see a screw head, or calking joint in the entire building (amazing detailing), and it may be the first project that I have experienced where the path through the building gradually acclimatized the visitor for the low light of the main exhibit. This attention to detail and the visitor's experience is what separates Taniguchi's work from his contemporaries in my opinion. 

Brass Gild Statue, Gallery of Horyuji Treasures, Tokyo

Gilt-Bronze Statue, The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures, Tokyo

Two great books on Taniguchi are Nine Museums, and The Architecture of Yoshio taniguchi. A good review of Taniguchi, and explanation of the MoMA Selection Process.

  • Author avatar
    Neil Prakash
  • ArchitectureArt galleryJapanJapanese JewelryMuseumnewsPressSilver Jewelry

Comments on this post ( 1 )

  • Feb 19, 2020

    Keen observation of his works and I feel the same too. Hope more westerners would appreciate his works. This helps future conservation of great architecture in Japan.

    — alfred

Leave a comment

English