Latest news with #NakamuraKeithHaringCollection
Metropolis Japan
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metropolis Japan
Nakamura Keith Haring Collection
Credit: Takumi Ota Anyone wandering around the rural area of Kobuchizawa, Hokuto, in Yamanashi Prefecture might come across an unexpected sight: a modernist building of striking design nestled in the wilderness. Bold architecture is only the beginning, for inside awaits an extensive collection of pop art just as unlikely to be found in rural Japan. This is the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection, the only museum in the world dedicated to the trailblazing American artist and activist. Credit: Takumi Ota The gallery is the brainchild of Dr Kazuo Nakamura, CEO of CMIC Group. 'In the 1980s, I traveled to New York frequently for work. The first time I encountered Haring's work was at a small art shop there,' he recalls. 'It had such a striking impact that I couldn't ignore the pull I felt towards it. His art had a simplicity that made you smile, but also something deeper beneath the surface. That sense of depth compelled me to start collecting his works.' As his collection grew, the issue of where to display it came up. At first, he put up the pieces in his company's office, but some works had intimate themes that didn't fit well with the company's environment. Even so, he continued to expand the collection as a personal reward for the company's growth. Credit: Takumi Ota 'What fascinates me about Haring's work is its humanistic qualities,' Nakamura explains. 'Through his art, he expresses themes like peace and social issues in a way that is both simple and profoundly impactful.' 'Keith Haring was one of the leading artists of 1980s American modern art and one of the few openly gay and HIV-positive public figures,' explains Hiraku Morilla, museum director. 'At the time in the US, to be an openly queer person who made his HIV-positive status public was an unimaginably brave move. Society back then was unforgiving and discriminatory toward LGBTQ+ individuals and those living with HIV/AIDS. Against all odds, Haring used his platform and his art to stand up for those people and challenge injustices. He tragically passed away in 1990 at just 31 due to AIDS-related complications.' An icon of the graffiti subculture of the 1980s in New York City, Haring's colorful imagery and motifs evolved from impromptu street art into commissioned large-scale murals. His stylized iconography developed into social activism, particularly AIDS awareness and safe sex advocacy. 'While his artistic techniques and ideas were groundbreaking, what I find most impressive is Haring's ability to discover a universal language that spoke to people across the spectrum—beyond economic, social and racial divides,' says Morilla. 'He had a knack for finding the core of shared human experiences—what people are frustrated or happy about at a basic level. His art is still relevant today because of this simple yet effective messaging.' As a Bronx native, Morilla's path to museum director also began in New York. 'After moving to the East Village I ended up working for Patricia Field, the legendary costume designer best known for Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada . Patricia was a close friend of Keith Haring's, and in 2010, created a collection to honor him on the 10th anniversary of his passing. During that time, the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection became one of our clients. In 2014, when my mother passed away, I came to Japan and Patricia suggested I visit the museum. I went to visit and happened to run into Nakamura. We sat down and talked about the collection, Patricia and my life since my mother's passing. By the end of it, he offered me the position.' Just like Haring, Morilla is a gay man deeply committed to supporting social activism, particularly around the LGBTQ+ community and people living with HIV. 'Keith Haring has always felt close to me. Even though our timelines didn't overlap, we both lived the downtown life in the East Village and shared connections with the same people. I also relate to his perspective as a gay man, particularly in his exploration of homoeroticism and sex positivity. His works capture the duality of gay sexuality—the fun and artistry of eroticism and at times, the loneliness and inner struggle that comes with it. As museum director, he inspires me both professionally and as a curator. I'm dedicated to preserving and exhibiting his works, whether it's a drawing or his autograph on a pair of basketball shorts.' Credit: Takumi Ota At its core, that is the mission of the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection. As the only Keith Haring museum in the world—and the only LGBTQ+ museum in Japan—it holds a unique place in the cultural landscape. This is reflected in their extensive collection of over 800 works from the 1980s, including drawings, sculptures, lithographs, photographs, videos, merchandise and archival materials. However, the museum exists not only to showcase Haring's work but also to carry forward his commitment to advocacy and activism. The location was chosen by Dr. Nakamura, who grew up in Yamanashi Prefecture and was drawn to the region's natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere. Haring's works are often associated with lively urban settings, but Nakamura wanted to create a different experience. By removing the city backdrops and situating the museum in a serene, nature-rich environment, he aimed to offer a more intimate and focused way to engage with Haring's art. This approach lets visitors connect with the works on a deeper level, away from the distractions of their usual contexts. Credit: Takumi Ota The collection is housed in an award-winning building designed by Atsushi Kitagawara, whose works are often inspired by the arts. He became involved in the project after meeting Nakamura through a common friend in New York. 'The museum's architecture is a collage of metaphors of Haring's ideas and natural characteristics, such as inverted cones, catenary roofs and jagged walls,' explains Kitagawara. 'I attempted to create a unique piece of architecture while imagining Haring's inner world.' Credit: Takumi Ota For Nakamura, it was a success. 'I find Kitagawara-sensei's approach to architecture incredibly inspiring. His perspective on how architecture interacts with nature is particularly fascinating. Kobuchizawa is steeped in the energy of the Jomon culture, which itself has a deep connection to art and, we felt, a natural affinity with Haring's style. That is why the museum had to be built there. I think the fusion of Kitagawara's artistry, the natural beauty of Kobuchizawa and Haring's work creates a harmony that leaves a deep impression on visitors.' Credit: Takumi Ota Credit: Takumi Ota Those visitors follow a carefully curated path. 'Upon the museum entrance, visitors will begin with the Slope into Darkness , then pass through the Giant Frame and finally arrive at the Dream exhibition room,' says Kitagawara. 'Haring is widely recognized for his pop art style, but behind his works are powerful messages to society. During his time in the 1980s, societal attitudes towards sex, religion and discrimination were different from today. Visitors may be able to relive Haring's life, who criticized society while carrying the darkness within him. Their perceptions of him will be completely changed.' Address: 10249-7 Kobuchisawacho, Hokuto, Yamanashi Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm Price: ¥1,500 Website: Read more on influential Japanese artists: Kiyoshi Awazu and the Reinvention of Contemporary Japanese Aesthetics Ryushi Kawabata: Painting the Dragon
Japan Times
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Hiraku Morilla: ‘Pride means respect for those who walked so we could run'
Hiraku Morilla, 40, has been the director of the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection since 2014, curating exhibitions and events about the American artist in the museum's facilities in Yamanashi Prefecture. Morilla advocates for the LGBTQ+ community through his work, combating discrimination and the stigmatization of HIV. 1. Can you tell us about your cultural background? I'm Japanese and Nuyorican (New York Puerto Rican). Expressing both Asian and Latino cultural identities at once has always felt disjointed — they're so far apart that embodying both never feels seamless. 2. How was your experience growing up in the Bronx? I was surrounded by rhythm and style. The way we spoke had cadence. The way we moved had rhythm. Manhattan was right there, but it felt like a different universe. We walked through metal detectors every morning at school. That's what it looks like when a system abandons the community. 3. What was it like being multiracial and queer? In my senior year of high school, I wrote a letter to myself that said, 'Do not come out as gay, no matter what.' I didn't want to be associated with the gay men who were mocked on TV, beat up in school or gossiped about. That changed when I started meeting them in real life. 4. How did your early life experiences shape your career? In Japan, New York becomes a kind of resume. But being Japanese and authentically New York throws people off. My New York isn't aesthetic or curated. It's survival. It's contradiction. It's lived, not borrowed. 5. How was working as a creative director under designer Patricia Field ('Sex and the City,' 'The Devil Wears Prada')? She valued authenticity. (Her brand) was a place where we had to prove ourselves — but we were family. Some of my pieces ended up on the cover of Vogue, on Beyoncé, on K-pop idols. Now it sounds surreal. Back then, it was just another Tuesday. 6. Why did you relocate to Japan? The catalyst was my mom's passing of pancreatic cancer in 2014. When I learned her condition had suddenly worsened, I packed up everything and flew straight to Japan to be with her. Just a few days after I arrived, she passed. 7. How are NYC and Tokyo different? What I like about living in Tokyo is the certainty. If I call a cab, it'll wait for me until I come out. In New York, if you take too long, it's gone. If the train's running late, Tokyo will tell you exactly how late. If you line up for something, you'll get in. If a package says 'open here' and you tear that part, it actually opens. 8. How did you end up as the director of the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection? Patricia suggested I visit the museum while I was in Japan. I did, and by chance I ran into the collector himself, Dr. (Kazuo) Nakamura. After a long conversation, he offered me a position. It was a rare chance to stay connected to New York while being in Japan. 9. What kinds of people visit the collection? All kinds. Older visitors often don't come for Haring; they just enjoy the area and happen to see a museum and drop by. Younger visitors tend to know Haring through K-pop. We also get a lot of Japanese celebrities and influencers. And of course, we have many LGBTQ+ visitors. We're not just the only Keith Haring museum in the world — we're also the only queer museum in Japan. 10. How does the location impact the visitor experience? Being in the mountains of Yamanashi — two hours from Tokyo by train or car — definitely affects our foot traffic. For some people, that distance feels like a burden. But at the same time, that distance creates something special. When you arrive, it's just you and Haring's work. No city noise, no gallery-hopping — just this one space, in nature, dedicated entirely to him. That isolation creates a kind of intimacy. It invites people to slow down, to really spend time with the art. 11. When did you first become aware of Haring? Growing up in New York, Haring was ubiquitous. As a kid, I automatically recognized his figures. Later, I also recognized him as a gay icon. But I really became aware of his depth as an artist and activist when I first visited the museum. "Haring's activism (is) not just relevant, but necessary," says Morilla of how the American artist's themes resonate in a contemporary Japanese context. | Koichi Nakazawa 12. What draws you to his work? The messaging. Take his faceless figures. They're simple, but emotionally loaded. That ability to express so much with so little is really powerful. Also, Haring's work is openly queer and deeply sex-positive. He's clearly attracted to masculinity, but not in a toxic way. That tenderness keeps drawing me in. 13. Why is Haring's legacy still relevant today? Unfortunately, we're still dealing with the same issues we were facing in the 1980s. But at the center of his work was always kindness. Keith would stand with you against racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, all of it. 14. How does your advocacy for LGBTQ+ issues and HIV awareness relate to Haring's legacy? Haring was openly gay and disclosed his HIV-positive status. In 1980s America, that meant putting himself at risk. In Japan, HIV infection rates are still increasing, and the government still hasn't recognized same-sex marriage. That makes Haring's activism not just relevant, but necessary. 15. What's your view on LGBTQ+ issues in Japan? There's a disconnect I see within the community here. There's a small, vocal group doing incredibly important work, pushing for rights and visibility. But sometimes, the focus is more on being digestible to straight audiences — presenting queerness as family-friendly, polished and easy to sympathize with. 16. What's the present situation of HIV awareness in Japan? Most guys I talk to know what PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis, a medication to prevent HIV infection) is. The message of U=U (an undetectable viral load equals untransmittable HIV) is more visible too. But PrEP is still not covered by national health insurance. Routine HIV testing still isn't normalized. We also need more mental health care. If prevention is neglected, we need support after diagnosis. You can't ignore people on both ends. 17. Do you face any discrimination in your daily life as an openly gay man in Japan? The fact that my human rights as a queer individual aren't recognized means I'm facing discrimination every day, whether it's obvious or not. 18. What do you think about Tokyo Rainbow Pride finally moving to June, in line with the rest of the world? I always thought it was kind of strange that it wasn't. Maybe it was because June is the rainy season here. The upside was that it added to Tokyo's eccentricity. But in terms of global visibility, aligning with the rest of the world makes sense. 19. What are your plans or projects for Pride Month this year? I'm hosting a lip-sync battle featuring Miss Grand Japan contestants at fancyHIM (a bar in Shinjuku Ni-chome). I've been one of the judges since 2018. I'm also doing a diversity, equity and inclusion workshop at (the hotel) W Osaka. I've been doing this with W every June. W Union Square was kind of a haven for us nightlife gays in New York. 20. What does Pride mean to you? When I was younger, Pride meant the NYC Pride parade. By the time the parade ended at Stonewall, I'd be making out with someone. But as I got older, I learned that Stonewall was the place where it all began. That's when Pride started to mean something deeper. Pride is respect for those who walked so we could run — or make out with boys in the street without fear.
