The National Museum of Western Art

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The Hall of Light Sculptors (feat. Le Corbusier)

In space, light is very important. Depending on how well you handle the light, the skill of the spatial designer can be revealed. In history, the figures who drew the lines of space all have common ways of handling light. Today, let's finally talk about the fundamental spatial designer.

Le Corbusier, the father of modern architecture. There are too many achievements to list in this short text that describes and explains him. However, perhaps a joke told by a Western architecture professor during his student days might appropriately represent his achievements enough for everyone to relate. The sentence goes, "Most of the achievements in the field of architecture built by famous modern architects are of German origin, but at the same time, the figure who has achieved as much as all the German architects of his time is Le Corbusier."

At that time, it may have sounded like a joke, but if you actually look at the direction of the space he left behind, we all live in the spaces he created. Just looking at the above stories like "The 5 Principles of Modern Architecture," "Dom-ino System," "Exposed Concrete," "Father of Apartments," "Modular System," there is hardly anything in modern spaces that can avoid these.

He is therefore a very important figure in modern and contemporary spaces.

However, what I want to highlight today is his way of handling light. This space is a work of Le Corbusier located closest to Korea. It is the National Museum of Western Art in front of Ueno Station in Tokyo, Japan. There are many stories tangled around this building. His disciple expanded and modified the area surrounding his works, and there are parts that have changed significantly from the original, as well as underground construction and expansion work for seismic design, which resulted in the original work not being preserved entirely.

Therefore, today's topic is his way of handling light. In addition, I want to talk about the light sculptors who paint the works collected there.

First of all, the way of handling light on the façade of the space is not his favorite. Although there is exposed concrete, it is not used on the façade but concrete gravel panels, which were also used on a part of the façade at the La Tourette Monastery. It looks like chunky pieces, and when you look closely, there is a sophisticated taste to the greenish light reflecting off the gravel. When entering inside, it does not reveal a grand hall like modern art museums these days. But when you enter the main hall of the permanent exhibition, as in the first picture above.

Here, you can see his way of handling light. The windows are pierced to the north. It is common for windows to be pierced to the south to allow as much light as possible to come in. However, he shows various ways of handling light through artworks such as art museums and monasteries. In particular, as this is an art museum, it is essential to avoid direct sunlight as much as possible. One of his techniques is the geometrically shaped northern windows, which bring out the effect clearly. Another of his typical techniques is to make spaces walk at various heights through the lamps and enjoy the spatial feeling. Walking slowly up the slope while enjoying the light falling gently through the geometric and shape-like windows and reflecting in the central space.

Just by looking at the shape of the floor and the way it moves people vertically, you can feel why he was a "master." It is about sufficiently appreciating the well-organized floor and the raw concrete-like feel. Even after studying and encountering him countless times for a long time, seeing him once is still incomparable. In that context, it became a place to promise to someday look closely at various European spaces where his true abilities can be seen.

As you climb up the lamp, you can enjoy the skylight that gently brings in indirect light at the top created by creating the intermediate floor. This is also a method he frequently uses. Through this indirect light, he minimizes artificial lighting as much as possible and allows artworks to be preserved for as long as possible.

In this permanent exhibition, the works of Manet and Monet are hung.

The works of the father of Impressionism, Edouard Manet, and the painter of light, Claude Monet, are hung enormously. As this permanent exhibition started mainly based on the collector's collection, most of the masterpieces are hung as well-prepared special exhibitions. Just by coming to see the permanent exhibition, it is a place that definitely lives up to its value.

Moreover, as both figures were leaders of Impressionism beyond realism, they were people who wanted to express the environment and atmosphere rather than realistic drawings. Thanks to them, we can experience paintings like "light sculptures" where we can feel the flow and direction of light.

The stories of these 3 light sculptors can be enjoyed here anytime.

Although not well known to many, this space is designed by Le Corbusier and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thinking about this space designed in 1959 and the collected works, there is a hint of sadness recalling history that should not be forgotten, but at the same time, a leftover feeling of "Thanks to that, we haven't forgotten!" helped alleviate some of that sadness.

This is the Hall of Light Sculptors, the National Museum of Western Art.

PS. Currently, a Picasso and Henri Matisse special exhibition is being held. Also, the sculptures placed outside the building are works of Rodin. Please note that photography is mostly not allowed in the special exhibitions except for some works. We hope this information does not cause any inconvenience during your visit.

📍Location | 7-7 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan
⏰Opening Hours | 09:30~17:30 [Closed on Mondays]
💵Special Exhibition Price [Includes Permanent Exhibition] - 500 yen
📆Special Exhibition Period - 22.10.08~23.01.22
🚗Parking Available