Last weekend the Japanese art world was shaken by staggering news. Architect Isozaki Arata, the director of the 2005 Yokohama International Triennale of Contemporary Art that is scheduled for next fall, announced that he might step down. He did so in a speech at a symposium in Yokohama, and as far as I know, with the exception of a nebulous article in the Yokohama Keizai Shimbun for some reason there was no serious report in the media. The only place where I found a straight mention of Isozaki’s "announcement of resignation" was Roger McDonald’s blog site (see further down in the article).

 

The symposium on 12/4 was hosted by the seminar of Tatehata Akira from the Department of Art and Design, Tama Art University, with an illustrious lineup of panelists including Isozaki Arata, Okabe Aomi (Musashino Art University), Kitagawa Fram (Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial, General Director), Nanjo Fumio (Deputy Director of Mori Art Museum), and Hasegawa Yuko (Chief Curator 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa). With the exception of art critic Okabe, all participants belong to the first league of Japanese contemporary art curators. As we're now approaching the deadline for our magazine ART iT, unfortunately I was too busy to travel to BankART 1929 and attend the symposium myself, which I deeply regret now. Needless to mention, the announcement caused a tumult in the venue, and sparked a heated discussion.

 

According to reports of persons involved, and friends and acquaintances and who were there, Isozaki started by applying to financial groups from each of the participating countries for support, after which he explained his idea of having pavilions built by various architects, and artworks produced in cooperation with financial groups, architects and artists. However, due to a lack of funds the artists involved currently are not able to prepare their works, as a result of which the entire plan seems impracticable. Isozaki then went on to propose that the next best solution was to postpone the event until 2006. Attending officials reportedly jumped up from their seats and emphasized that this was "impossible!"

 

The first Yokohama Triennale was held in 2001, so the next event of a real "triennale" was actually due in 2004. In this sense, 2005 is already late, and Yokohama City vehemently refused to accept a further delay. Isozaki then unveiled plan B that might get Yokohama its Triennale in 2005, but on which city officials still owe him a clear answer. Isozaki closed his speech by annoucing that he would step down in the case of disapproval.

 

According to that plan B, curators would be excluded from the event, and in a debate following Isozaki’s presentation he reportedly stated in front of a perplexed audience, "These days curators have too much authority, and their primary motivation is mere self-content." A young freelance curator countered from his seat, "What do you you about the down-to-earth job of a curator?!" As this example suggests, professionals from the realm of art criticizing Isozaki were in the majority. A veteran curator then commented, "The art festivals we have today are based upon the idea of getting around major commercial galleries, but your plan, Mr. Isozaki, would mean that only financially powerful institutions and foundations can participate. Are you actually aware of the history and actual condition of the art scene?"

 

It’s now less than a year until the planned 2005 Yokohama Triennale would open its doors. Regardless of whose fault it is, countless people in the art world are accusing the hosting Yokohama City and The Japan Foundation, as well as NHK and Asahi Shimbun of cutting a miserable figure at such an unseemly timing. Questionable besides the timing is also the occasion — an event organized by a private art university — at which Isozaki chose to let the cat out of the bag. And why isn't there the tiniest mention of the incident on NHK or in the Asahi newspaper? The Yokohama Triennale’s official website, by the way, hasn't been updated since July 9, and still carries the note that "the director for 2005 has been determined" as the "latest news"…

 

A bright spot on the horizon in such an awkward situation is the blog site Roger McDonald recently opened. Roger, a British-Japanese Tokyo resident and independent curator, has been involved with A.I.T. (Arts Initiative Tokyo) in the conception of curatorial, educational, and residency programs since he helped found the non-profit organization. More on A.I.T. and their leading role not only in art but in Japanese contemporary culture in general you can read in the current issue (vol. 5) of ART iT magazine.

 

The name of the English-only site is Tactical Museum, and it offers news on a wide range of topics including art and music reviews, interviews, photo galleries, and even information on food and others. Roger is a swift footworker and smart observer, so the information he offers is always guaranted to be sensitive and fresh. Tactical Museum conveys a feel of the "real" Tokyo, a city that keeps transforming. Art and culture are constantly on the move, too, and in order to catch the vibes one has no other choice but move with them. I recommend people like Isozaki Arata, Yokohama City and The Japan Foundation officials to take a look at sites like Tactical Museum. Ladies and gentlemen, it will certainly do no harm to sharpen your senses from time to time.