[Image: Shunsuke Imai ≪untitled≫ 2017, private collection]

スクリーンショット 2022-05-27 17.16.47

The museum opened on November 23, 1991, as a commemorative project for the 90th anniversary of Marugame's municipal organization, with the full cooperation of Genichiro Inokuma, a painter associated with Marugame City. The museum, with its beautiful architecture by architect Yoshio Taniguchi, is located in front of Marugame Station and houses approximately 20,000 works donated by Inokuma himself. The museum also focuses on activities for educational purposes, holding a variety of programs such as lectures and concerts, as well as workshops to nurture children's sensitivity and creativity.

These features were developed through repeated discussions between Inokuma and Marugame City. Inokuma strongly desired MIMOCA to be a "contemporary art museum" that always actively introduces new things. Taniguchi shared Inokuma's desire for a beautiful space in an art museum and created a bright and spacious space with natural light. Taniguchi also emphasized the importance of children's exposure to beauty and proposed free admission for children and the creation of a "sculpture studio" for children to engage in creative activities.

Inokuma wanted the museum to be a place where people could casually drop in, see fine works of art in a beautiful space, and be refreshed and energized by fresh inspiration. We hope that MIMOCA, which is filled with Inokuma's thoughts, will be a "hospital for the mind" for everyone.

Shunsuke Imai "Skirt and Scene"