Outline

Barnett Newman (1905-1970) is an important painter of the 20th century who stands along with Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock as one of the representative artists of the Abstract Expressionist movement that emerged in the U.S. after World War II. Having majored in philosophy at university, Newman was considered a theorist among the artists of the day and speculative in nature. At the age of 43 he arrived at a unique style of painting that involved canvases painted in monotone color surfaces with vertical lines called "zips" running down the picture plane. Although these works with their simple and clear arrangement of minimal compositional elements may appear cold and devoid of any human touch at first encounter, they actually have an under current of deep human emotions. At times awe-inspiring and at other times steeped in gentle warmth that envelops the viewer, Newman´s works pose questions about the fundamental meaning of art.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Kawamura Memorial DIC Museum of Art, we are proud to present the first solo exhibition of the work of Barnet Newman ever held in Japan, anchored by the artist´s late masterwork Anna´s Light from the Kawamura collection and a selection of 30 important works of painting, sculpture and print. These works offer the viewer an opportunity to encounter the products of an artistic career devoted to the sincere and single-minded quest of the meaning that painting can embody.

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Programs

*Museum admission covers participation in all programs, with the exception of the taped
commentary (rental headsets).
*Admission to lectures is limited to 60 people on a first-come-first-served basis with
entrance vouchers handed out from 12:00 noon on lecture day.

Lecture １． (in English / Japanese)
"Newman´s Jewishness"

Yve-Alain Bois
^{Professor in the school of Historical Studies at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton}
As a renowned authority on Newman, Dr. Bois speaks about the artist with a special focus on the significance of his "Jewishness."
September 4, 14:00－16:00
 

Lecture ２． (in English / Japanese)
"Barnett Newman´s Pilgrimage in Paint"

Carol Mancusi-Ungaro
^{The Associate Director of Conservation and Research at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York / Director of the Center for the Technical Study of Modern Art Harvard university}
Art conservator and noted Newman researcher Carol Mancusi-Ungaro reveals aspects of the art of Newman’s mature technique.
October 16, 14:00－16:00
 

Lecture ３． (in Japanese)
Focus on the 18 Cantos

Gaku Kondo
^{History and Theory of Modern Art}
Known for his research in the areas of the "temporal aspects of painting" and "what constitutes a painting," Mr. Kondo explores Newman´s works from new perspectives.
October 30, 14:00－16:00
 

Gallery Talks by Curator (in Japanese)

September 18, October 3, November 3, December 3
14:00－15:00 First 40 arrivals
The exhibition’s curators give informative commentary in front of the works in the galleries.
 

Guided Tours of the Entire Building by Guide Staff (in Japanese)

14:00－15:00 every day except on Lecture or Curator Gallery Talk days
First 40 arrivals
When special exhibition galleries are crowed, the guided tour may be limited to the permanent collection galleries.
 

Audio Guide (in Japanese)

Contains recorded explanations of the Museum collection and the Newman exhibition
Rental fee: 500 yen per headse