Keith Haring Museum in Yamanashi. Feeling the 80’s while watching the artworks of the pioneer of street art.
This Contemporary Museum of Art was started by an individual collector, Mr. Nakamura. It is located in extremely inconvenient place. About 20 minutes by bus from Kobuchizawa station in Yamanashi prefecture (*). From Shinjuku, Tokyo, it takes about two hours by limited express train. Keith Haring is a person who symbolizes the eighties, but considering that it is not generally recognized, I wonder if there are people who come to such a remote place.
However, I have strongly stimulated for all aspects including outlook, interior, artworks, exhibition room. A space at the next door of the reception, which I can see the outside is wonderful, and getting nervous when drinking a coffee sitting on the chair at the coffee shop. In exhibition room, display of the object with people motif, which is symbolic masterpiece of Keith Haring, was good taste.
Keith Haring seems to have visited Japan a lot, and old articles are displayed on the wall regarding his visit to Japan. If you look closely at the patterns of some of his drawing displayed, you can see the Japanese character, I guess he had a considerable interest in Japan.
Museum building is not so big, however, I can have a question by myself, “what kind of surprise can I have at the next room?” when walking inside. I really admire the people to design this museum.
(*) When I visited in 2020, the bus to the museum was gone. Therefore, if you do not have a car, you will have to take a taxi, so be careful.
Visited in 2016, 2020.
Basic Information
■ Name of Place：Nakamura Keith Haring Collection
■ Address : 10249-7 Kobuchisawachō, Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi-ken, Japan
■ Homepage：http://www.nakamura-haring.com/