Save the Hiroshima Panels - Preservation Fund

Today, we would like to update you on the Hiroshima Memorial held on August 6, the current exhibition, the progress of the restoration of the Hiroshima Panels II: Fire, and the recent donation of artworks and research conducted by a Russian researcher.

Hiroshima Memorial at the Maruki Gallery

August 6 of this year marked the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. We held a reading session from the children’s book “Hiroshima no pika” and a screening of the film “HELLFIRE: Journey from Hiroshima.” There was also a workshop to paint paper lanterns and food stalls in the Gallery's yard.

From August 1st to 31st, for a limited time only, we are releasing a film Genbaku no Zu (the Hiroshima Panels) from 1953, directed by Aoyama Michiharu and Imai Tadashi (approx. 17 mins). The film is in Japanese, but we invite you to see it as it is an extremely valuable record of the production and nationwide tour of the Hiroshima Panels, shot soon after the end of the Allied Occupation of Japan. Please click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6ycZDMj6qE to watch the video.

Current exhibition: Kan Ryohei

The special exhibition Kan Ryohei - Based on a True Story is on display from July 20 to October 14.

This presentation is part of a research project by Kan Ryohei revolving around the mannequins depicting A-bomb victims in the Peace Memorial Museum’s collection.
It aims to provide an opportunity to reconsider the relationship between ‘documentation’ and ‘fiction’ in passing on the memory of such historical disconnection and death. Please click here https://marukigallery.jp/event-en/7942/ for more information.

Progress on the restoration of the Hiroshima Panels (II): Fire

On May 23, we visited the Institute for Conservation of Cultural Property Aichi University of the Arts to see the progress of the restoration of the Hiroshima Panels (II): Fire.

Unlike Ghost, Part 1 of the series, which was painted entirely in black sumi ink, this work features an impressive vivid vermilion color. The restoration work seemed to be progressing smoothly, based on careful analysis and investigation of the paint's composition.

By the summer of 2025, the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, we expect to complete the restoration process and return to the Maruki Gallery for public display.

Your support has made the restoration work possible. We would like to thank you for your continued support.

Donation of Moscow sketches and the release of a Russian research website

Twenty-five sketches and other works by Maruki Toshi (Akamatsu Toshiko), produced in Moscow in 1937-38 and 1941, were recently donated to the Maruki Gallery. The works vividly depict the Kremlin Palace, the streets of Moscow, the puppet theater, among other things.

Additionally, a research website by Russian art historian [Viktor Belozerov], which explores information on Maruki Iri and Toshi in the USSR, is now available online.

Russianhttps://syg.ma/@gendaieye/gssSDmLj_dQ6uw
Englishhttps://syg.ma/@gendaieye/893JqnBmHYJT0g

This study focuses on the coverage of Iri and Toshi in the Soviet media and provides a detailed overview of the developments in the exhibitions of the Hiroshima Panels, the works of Iri and Toshi existing in Russia, and their representation by Russian artists.

We are celebrating the 57th anniversary of the Maruki Gallery on May 5. We thank you for your continued support and interest in our activities.

Today we would like to share with you the progress on the renovation of the gallery building, the current and upcoming exhibitions, as well as the anniversary event. 

We have selected a contractor for the gallery renovation project 

After the basic design for our gallery renovation project was completed last fall, we requested estimate from three local contractors to calculate the approximate construction cost.

The cost of construction has continued to rise in recent years as prices for labor, materials, fuel, and other expenses have increased. As a result, each company's estimate was higher than our planned budget. 

We then conducted a hearing with each contractor together with wyes architects, who is responsible for the design. Based on the submitted estimates and the hearing results, we selected SIGUMA (Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture) as the prospective contractor.

We are making steady progress in our renovation plans. We sincerely thank you for your continued support in creating an optimum environment for the preservation of the Hiroshima Panels.

Introducing our special exhibitions

Current exhibition: Ahagon Shoko: Photography, Resistance, and Island People

Ahagon Shoko (1901-2002) is known for his nonviolent resistance together with local farmers over U.S.-occupied land on Ie Island after the Battle of Okinawa. Ahagon began documenting the island in photographs from 1955 to record the damage caused by the “bayonet and bulldozer” method of forced land confiscation, the U.S. military oppression, and the practice firing range. This exhibition will show the photographer side of Ahagon, who is well known as the "Gandhi of Okinawa" and as a peace activist. 

Click here for more information on the exhibition. 

Next exhibition: Matsushita Mariko: Human Animals (May 11 to July 7, 2024).

Matsushita was in Palestine right before the airstrikes started and is one of the artists who has been responding most profoundly for this matter in Japan ever since the genocide begun. In this exhibition, the artist will present a new collection of works in which she explores a new ideological abyss that does not divide "what is called human" and "what is called animal". 

Click here for more information on the exhibition.  

Events on the 57th anniversary of opening of the gallery

This year's event will focus on "Okinawa," which is also depicted in the works of the Marukis.

There will be a reading of the picture book Okinawa Shima no Koe (Voices of Okinawa) by actor Kagimoto Keiko, a screening of the film Okinawa Sen no Zu (the Battle of Okinawa) 14 parts which was screened in various locations last year, a workshop by painter Yamauchi Wakana, as well as lively stalls offering locally produced organic food items.

We are enjoying fresh greenery and beautiful flowers here at the Maruki Gallery. 

We wish you a pleasant spring time, too!