Announcement of “Mo-yan’s Open Atelier,” an art project with artist Motonaga Sadamasa to create a space for expression
Takarazuka City Cultural Foundation Press Release: September 12, 2025 Announcement of “Mo-yan’s Open Atelier,” an art project with artist Motonaga Sadamasa to create a space for expression. The Takarazuka City Cultural Foundation (Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture), a public interest incorporated foundation, will be hosting a participatory art project, “Mo-yan’s Open Atelier,” themed around Motonaga Sadamasa (nicknamed Mo-yan, 1922-2011), an artist with ties to Takarazuka City, at the Takarazuka City Cultural Arts Center from Friday, October 3, 2025, to Monday, November 3, 2025 (national holiday).
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150322/8/150322-8-e4437c263641e2ba33010415fdb2ba3c-1241×1754.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150322/8/150322-8-e87fcc0b54cfa133d4d8d6d01ea5909d-800×562.jpg 《Orange Shape》1979
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150322/8/150322-8-f0ac644386304a1bf553413256e78308-3463×2448.jpg 《Slightly Shaking》1985
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150322/8/150322-8-ef847a893c54192331503aa4ef5e95a8-1909×2700.jpg 《From the Mesh of Two Greys》1985
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150322/8/150322-8-b2cbd4a5b84873ef0b62c6f56eb20abb-3170×2240.jpg 《Shape is Green》2011 Furthermore, a distinctive feature of this project is the “atelier space created together with visitors.” Chairs submitted through public submissions decorate the venue, and visitors can sit there, view the artworks, talk, and even engage in creative activities in the same space as Motonaga Sadamasa’s works. By not only appreciating the artworks but also engaging creatively, visitors can feel closer to the world-famous artists who lived and breathed this city, deepening their understanding and providing a richer artistic experience that goes beyond mere appreciation. In addition, during the exhibition, artists from a variety of fields, including visual arts, music, and dance, will be in residence at the venue, and related programs open to everyone, from children to adults, are planned. This project goes beyond exhibiting artworks; it presents the entire space as a “open atelier,” aiming to provide an opportunity to experience art not as a distant presence, but as something that is present in everyday life.
● Event overview ・Title Mo-yan’s Open Atelier ~An art project with artist Motonaga Sadamasa to create a space for expression ・Dates October 3 (Friday) – November 3 (Monday, national holiday), 2025: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entrance 5:30 PM) *Closed on Mondays. However, if Monday is a national holiday, the museum will be closed the following weekday. ・Venue Takarazuka City Cultural Arts Center, 2nd Floor Main Gallery Organizer Takarazuka City, Takarazuka City Cultural Foundation ・Cooperation Motonaga Materials Research Laboratory, Tanpoponoye Foundation, Motonaga Sadamasa Discussion Group, If There Were No Walls ・Sponsorship Takarazuka City Board of Education ・Viewing fee General… Advance tickets: ¥800 (until Thursday, October 2nd) / ¥1,000 on the day High school students and younger: Free *Passport ticket system (allows unlimited entry during the event) *Free admission for members of the Takarazuka City Cultural Foundation Friendship Association (Takaratier) (up to two people) *Free admission for persons with disabilities and one accompanying person. Please present your disability certificate upon entry. *Elementary school students and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. ☆Ticket sales location
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150322/8/150322-8-f1f16ffbca9ed7c1dd29cc53f05274ff-806×200.png ● Preview An overview of this project will be presented to the media on the following dates and times. *There are customers viewing the event inside the venue. Date and Time Friday, October 3, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM *Registration begins at 10:30 AM in front of the main gallery. ・Application Please apply by Tuesday, September 30th using the form below. https://forms.office.com/r/1dzJuUJSKS?origin=lprLink ・Location Takarazuka City Cultural Arts Center, 2nd Floor Main Gallery 7-64 Mukogawa-cho, Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture, 665-0844 ● Highlights ＜Part 1＞ The Diverse Expressions of Motonaga Sadamasa From the approximately 60 works donated to the city, approximately 30 pieces have been selected based on the keywords “Thought, Play, and Studio.” Motonaga Sadamasa has produced many abstract yet approachable works. This exhibition will showcase expressions filled with humor and rhythm, focusing on prints made using the silkscreen technique. Geometric shapes and vibrant colors fill the entire space, and the works appeal not only to the viewer’s visual sense but also to their physical senses, making the venue itself a “place for play and expression.” ＜Part 2＞ Visitor Participation in the “Open Atelier” Chairs submitted for public donation will be placed around the venue. Visitors can sit, relax, and engage with the artwork, experiencing the experience of becoming part of the exhibition. By becoming a part of the expression themselves, visitors will be presented with a new space where they can feel closer to art. They will also be able to create using art supplies and tools provided at the venue. ・What is an Open Atelier? An Open Atelier is a space or activity advocated by Tanpoponoye, where anyone can freely enjoy expression. We hope that through these activities, you will discover the joy of spontaneous expression. ＜Part 3＞ Abundant Related Programs We will be holding related programs that are open to people of all ages, from children to adults. By connecting appreciation of artworks with creative experiences, we hope to share a sense of playfulness and the joy of expression. ●Artists in Open Atelier This is an event where artists based in Takarazuka and the Hanshin area stay at the venue all day. In keeping with Motonaga Sadamasa’s playful creative style, this project emphasizes not just appreciating artworks, but also creating spaces where people and artworks, and people, can naturally interact. The artists spend time in front of the artworks with visitors, chatting, and sometimes even creating. In this way, we hope that the artworks will inspire people to share their free-flowing ideas and diverse perspectives, and that each person will discover new perspectives and inspirations for expression.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150322/8/150322-8-3ec2232db5690107c0128ce4132be3fa-2055×1577.png From left to right: Takuro Iwabuchi, Takuma Uematsu, If There Were No Walls, Keiko Kishimoto, Yoshifumi Sasano, Joe, Puppetrio, Yuki Hayashi, Drifting Poetry, Manabu Masuda, Akiko Yamane ・Participating Artists Takuro Iwabuchi (editor), Takuma Uematsu (artist), If There Were No Walls (Art Lovers), Keiko Kishimoto (film director), Yoshifumi Sasano (contemporary artist), Joe (Kodomo Omobu), Puppetrio (artist unit), Yuki Hayashi (filmmaker), Drifting Poetry (dancer), Manabu Masuda (artist), Akiko Yamane (composer) ・Event schedule
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150322/8/150322-8-7ae00224107cc9d38cfb9375bfeb5a80-550×302.png *Every day from 10:00 to 18:00 (last entry 17:30) ●Talks & Lectures Participatory talks and lectures will be held to help visitors deepen their understanding of Motonaga Sadamasa’s work and enjoy expressing themselves in a variety of ways. In addition to talk events about Motonaga Sadamasa and the Open Atelier, a variety of programs are planned, including “Chat Viewing Sessions” where visitors can view the works together and discuss them. *Talks and lectures will be held in the main gallery on the day of the event on a first-come, first-served basis. Those with tickets to the exhibition can participate. 1. Opening Talk: “When Art Becomes Everyone’s” Participants will consider art and publicness from their own perspectives, using this project as a topic. Date and Time: Saturday, October 4th, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Speakers: Etsuko Nakatsuji (artist), Takuma Uematsu (fine artist), Takuro Iwabuchi (editor, curator of this project), Toshinori Mito (director of Takarazuka City Cultural Arts Center) 2. Participatory Talk “Chat Viewing Session” This is an art viewing session where participants can deepen their understanding by chatting with each other about their impressions and thoughts after viewing the works. No special knowledge or experience is required. Facilitator: Katararu Date and Time: For high school students and above = Sunday, October 5th, For elementary and junior high school students = Sunday, October 19th, both 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Capacity: 15 people per session 3. Lecture “Nice to meet you, Mo-yan” “Mo-yan Introduction” is a beginner-friendly book that traces the path of artist Motonaga Sadamasa, from his abstract paintings of the Gutai period to his picture books. Date and time: October 5th (Sunday) 14:00-15:30 Lecturer: Yoshio Kato (curator, art critic, former director of Takarazuka City Arts Center) 4. Lecture: “What is an Open Atelier?” Open ateliers are spaces for open expression that are accessible to everyone, regardless of whether they have a disability or not. We will explore examples of open ateliers and how to create them. Date and Time: Monday, October 13th (National Holiday), 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Lecturer: Taro Okabe (Tanpoponoye) Interviewers: Hayumi Yamada (If There Were No Walls), Takuro Iwabuchi (Editor) 5. Participatory Talk “Mo-yan’s Interesting Story Bring-Away Party” Participants will bring along not only Motonaga Sadamasa’s works, but also letters, New Year’s cards, favorite picture books, and artwork inspired by Motonaga Sadamasa, and they will chat. Those who just want to listen are also welcome. A social gathering sponsored by the “Motonaga Sadamasa Discussion Group” will follow the event. Date and Time: Sunday, October 19th, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Location: 2F Main Gallery Date and Time: Sunday, October 19th, after the interactive talk ends Location: Garden House Capacity: 50 people Application: Not required (first come first served) Participation fee: 500 yen For more information about this release Press release attachments
